emiliaivy

I wanted to take a moment to talk about what it means to be body positive and love yourself. SG is about being a strong, confident, kick ass woman and letting the world know it! How can we be strong, confident, kickass women? By loving ourselves first and foremost. First of all, you should know I still struggle with loving and caring for myself just like every other woman on this planet. The A list celebrity you see on magazine covers - she has insecurities.
The mom of 4, running errands in the grocery store - she also has insecurities. And that's totally okay! Self love is about learning what it is your not so keen on and focusing on what you are in love with! So maybe I'm not as skinny as I want to be, I wish my boobs were bigger, I wish my butt was as tight as it was when I worked out 6 days a week. Those are things that get me down, but I do love the way my hair looks, even when its messy it has shine and a colour I'm obsessed with. I love the way my eyes are blue, but have a ring of gold just around the pupil. I love the way I make my friends laugh and smile when I'm just being me. I love how much love I feel from my pets who could care less about whether my belly is soft or if my boobs are big.

Modeling really helped me see that I am a beautiful woman, I like to remind myself that just because you see certain body types being presented as "normal" does not mean you or your body are any less valid. Just because one group of people may prefer a certain look does not mean you are not beautiful, unique and attractive in your own way. Not everyone likes apples, some people prefer oranges - you cannot please everyone and that's totally okay! You have to see that you are a human who is valid, attractive and deserving of love. When you learn to love yourself, you will see that that love is personified into your life and everyone you encounter will feel that love and light coming from you.

I have been learning to love myself in a way I have neglected for years. For so long I bullied myself and told myself horrible things that left me isolated and depressed and frankly hopeless. I grew unhealthy habits that hurt myself and punished myself for not fitting a certain cut out I imagined I needed to be. I spent so much of my life living for a moment that was for somebody else. I see how harmful that was, I am still recovering from those dark times. Self care isn't all facemasks and cookies. It's making sure you eat throughout the day, showering/brushing your teeth, brushing your hair, cleaning up your space. It's about doing those mundane tasks and treating yourself with respect. I know I haaaate putting away laundry but you know what, when its bright and early and I'm sleepy it is SO much better to be able to reach into my closet and put on my work clothes than spend 15 minutes hunting through piles of laundry looking for something to wear. Its those small things that you would do for child or a pet that they can't do for themselves but you know makes life easier. Cut yourself some slack, you're doing the best you can. Nurture yourself, be your own caregiver. You only get one life, wouldn't it be better to spend your life living instead of counting followers and likes?

Sending out lots of virtual love,
xo emm

@missy @rambo