Being comfortable in one's own skin isn't an easy feat, regardless of how confident one may appear to be. We all wish our bodies were different in some way, and we try to hide our flaws by posing in a certain way or by using makeup.
One mom, Kirsten Bosly, was self-conscious for as long as she can remember. The 41-year old says that for most of her life she hated her body. She would rarely pose for photos with her family and didn't dare take a picture in a bathing suit.
But she came to a crossroads: she realized that her size didn't matter. She was tired of feeling ashamed of her appearance, and knew that without pictures, her children wouldn't have a visual way to remember her after she's gone.
While on vacation with her family, she asked her husband to take a picture of her in a one-piece bathing suit, along with her kids. She then penned an extraordinary post about how she wants to change her attitude about her body — and how this is a whole new beginning for her!
You can read Kirsten's post below.
"Today marks a new beginning for me.
For most of my life I have hated my body.
Despised it.
Loathed it.
Resented it.
Wanted so very much for it to change; for it to be smaller, thinner… less "fat".
I've used it and abused it.
I've blamed it for a lot of things.
I've been terribly ashamed of its wobbles and dimples; like somehow they are the measure of who I am."
"I recently read a meme that said something along the lines of "be in pictures with your kids because when you're gone, the pictures will be all they have left" and it struck a nerve.
I've avoided pictures most of the time as I disliked how I looked in them."
"Not any more!
Bugger that noise!
The truth is, I'm tired of being ashamed of my body; it's done nothing but support me for 41 years."
"Lena Dunham is about to grace the cover of Glamour magazine with her "Girls" co-stars and she insisted they not air brush out the cellulite on her thighs.
The magazine thinks this to be a revolutionary act; Lena thinks it's just bloody normal and I agree."
"So today I let go.
I let go of the hatred and resentment of this body of mine and chose to enjoy it for what it is; my body."
"I asked The Pants to take this photo so the kids will remember us enjoying this day together, cellulite and all.
No cover up.
No board shorts.
No "modesty" towel.
No filters.
Just us.
Any you know what?
I'm not ashamed.
Really.
I look at this photo and all I can see is how happy we are and that's awesome.
I finally feel free and it feels f**king awesome!"
Please SHARE this mother's important message about self-acceptance and self-love!
