It is not about the bikini

I remember wearing a tankini when I was 12 and feeling good in it. Something happened over the next few years and I lost my self love. I lost my carefree spirit. I began to compare myself to others, and I never felt like I measured up. I hid behind a smile most days, but when I looked in the mirror I didn't see beauty... and I didn't have many people in my life telling me anything otherwise.

Having daughters changed something in me. I knew I needed to change my view of myself so that they would be able to grow loving themselves. They are always watching and listening and replicating. It may have taken a while --- but yesterday I wore a bikini around relative strangers. I wore a bikini! I rocked my look. I am not perfect but gosh I am better than I was.

It isn't about the bikini for everyone. And it certainly isn't just about a bikini for me. It is about living my best life now. It is about knowing I needed to get control of my health and my weight. I needed to stop self-medicating with unhealthy food and become the person I am meant to be inside and out. It is about me seeing the beauty in me that God sees. That my daughters see.

I know beauty is not only skin deep - but for me, feeling good when I look in the mirror allows me to be free from negative thoughts about myself. Those negative thoughts were constant not too long go. Negative thinking hurts the soul. Making a positive health change changed my body. It changed my thinking and helped me to be more positive. Being more positive changed my self image. I am more energetic and that energy allows me to go through my days better. Better days means more positive change and the cycle continues. A positive cycle.

Are you in need of a positive cycle in your life? Reach out. Change can begin today. It will take time, but it will be time well spent.  


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