This was a conversation that I started on Instagram yesterday. It needed to be continued, so here we are. I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube lately; tutorials, workshops and loads and loads of LadyLike (by Buzzfeed). Inspired by the people there and their willingness to give it a go, I thought I’d grab some video while snapping an outfit photo in my office…
Well well well.
Wasn’t that interesting. You see you can fake defined jaws and chiselled features in a photo but there’s no tricking a video camera. Not from that angle anyway. There’s certainly no hiding when you start talking or moving around. It freaked me out, to be honest. Why?
Firstly, I knew I’d put on weight and I’ve talked about that here. But I hadn’t really seen it before, now I could and it was RIGHT THERE. Confronting for someone who has spent their life trying to be smaller and still goes up against those voices sometimes. Which I do. Sometimes I think people believe I am ‘cured’ of my negative voices. Believe me, I’m not sure cured is actually a thing. It’s something I deal with and continue to deal with, on a daily basis.
And secondly, because I cared so much about the first, I spent a serious amount of time berating myself for not being thinner. Then from there, I spent double THAT amount of time berating myself for berating myself for not being thinner, smaller, fitter, lighter. Sigh.
I’m hard work sometimes.
But, I know that that’s the way it goes some days. That you’re not always going to feel yourself or be kind to yourself. Some days you have to just do what you can today and hope for more (or better) tomorrow. That’s what this is about. It’s to say to you if you’re having one of those days or moments, that you don’t have to deal with it now. You don’t have to do or be anything but what you are.
The more I get to know myself and the way the conversation in my head goes, the easier it is to cut it off at the pass. When I find myself criticising my chins or acne scars. If I can’t handle my pores or the way my eye gets lazy when I’m tired. All of the conversation going on there is judgemental and I have to acknowledge that; I’m doing it again. I’m doing that thing that I don’t want to do.
Being someone I don’t want to be.
Sometimes it takes focusing on the parts of my face or body that I do like. Sort of a misdirection sort of thing. But it’s all tricks and games, right? Telling yourself that you have flaws that should be hidden while others are played up only works for a while. It’s changing that whole conversation that needs to happen. Which, as we found out on Instagram, is easier said than done. And not just for me.
The awesome Theresa put it best for me (hello, teachable moment!) when she said “When I get confronted with my size I’m just like ” but that’s you girl…that’s your body” and then I move on”. I mean, doesn’t that just give you a good hard case of the nods. So good. Simple, without judgement on yourself, totally possible. It’s going to be my new mantra. Watch this space.
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Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
I have recently been feeling incredibly down about my weight. For a long time I was told by doctors that my back problems stem from my weight issues but I went to see an osteo and he said that was bullshit. Apparently I would have these issues at any size and I should focus on being mobile and healthy and fit rather than thin. So that is what I’ve been trying to do. I thought “I’ll concentrate on being healthier, surely the weight will melt away as a happy little bi-product” but it hasn’t. My back is the best its been in many years and I feel able to do walks that would have terrified me before. But I am still fat. In fact, I think I might be getting bigger. And that is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. That despite doing all of the recommended things, I may still be fat with no explanation.
I am trying my very best to come to terms with it and hopefully I will. Your blog post reminded me that it’s ok to feel down about it, but it’s not ok to wallow and beat myself up all the time. It’s time to move on now.
Thank you for sharing this, it’s so important for all of us to hear. Me, right now, in particular. I feel out of balance in a lot of ways and it’s all coming from my head. This is such a great reminder that you body does what it does so caring for it should be your top priority, not how it looks.
YESSSSS. . .it’s about time. We as women do so little for ourselves and we want to know why we feel so little or not enough. I do know this to be True. . When you Love yourself, you have a love affair that no one can change. I love Me so much that it is sickening! I come to your blog to be inspired or to get a good read and this time I hope that my comments reach some of your readers. Kudos!
Thanks Neti! I’m always SO happy to have your input in the comments here, thank you for your support. I’m sure everyone gets a lot out of it.