Learning To Love My Body: The Good. The Bad And The Ugly.

Dear,
 This old picture of me in a bikini.
You are capable of loving your body,

Its time to start believing it. 

You may not be six foot tall or have an eight pack or only eat kale for breakfast lunch and dinner but its okay, Ive got your back.

......

Growing up, I was never scared to get my kit off.

 Now that may sound a bit of an eyeopener but it is true.
As a performer,  I was surrounded by people who wouldn't think twice about changing infront of each other and would never shy away from getting the old bits and bobs out and we would be proud to show them off!

These pictures are from when I was probably the happiest with my body..... I have never been stick thin or had super hot pins but I was confident in my own skin.
 So what changed.....

Ever since the good old hormones kicked in and my body was changing, I have always been subconscious about my legs. They were always very muscular and they were always referred to by others as 'tree trunks'. No matter how much I would try laugh it off,  but It would still eat away at me.

 My legs have always been a part of my body that I have always wanted to hide. 

When it comes to style picks, my favourite friend has aways been the trusty maxi dress. For years, I have been tucking my body into a maxi- pretending that I actually made an effort when all I did was to hide the part of my body that I hated the most. Don't get me wrong, that wasn't the only reason, but it did make me feel a lot more confident with my body hidden.

It became increasingly apparent that I hated the way my body looked.
My instant reaction was...

 'Well....If I could just loose a couple of stone then I would be so much happier'.

That is bullshit....
don't ever listen to that little demon in your head.
If I've thought this once, Ive thought this a thousand times over.  If weight is the only thing that is getting you down, then yes, absolutely, find a healthy way to get fit but to think that by being thin, this will make you somehow a happier person... I am not convinced.. even though I have tried to believe over the years that it was true. Its not.

Why do we criticise ourselves so much? Why do we pressure ourselves in getting that perfect 'Summer Body'

Do you think the lady sat with her boobies out on the lounge chair cares? Or the man in the tight pair of Speedos over at the bar drinking Stella Artois? 

I dont think so. 

I began to realise that we don't seem to notice other peoples body hangups because are so caught up with our own insecurities. I may not look like a complete supermodel in a bikini but who cares?

Its all about acceptance!

Accepting that as someone who is 5ft 2 and a half.....Im never going to look like Gigi Hadid or Kendall Jenner and I may never be able to wear a pair of jeans, that I won't need to roll the legs up a few times over but thats the beauty of it... We are are different for a reason.

 If we were all the same that would be boring and we need to start realising it.
We are all special!
So from now on I'm setting myself and everyone reading this right now a challenge.... Its time to start loving ourselves and treating our bodies with respect.

To kick off the challenge, Mention one thing you like about your body everyday. Whether it's just a mental note to yourself or write it down somewhere so you that you can look back at it and it make you smile.

You are capable of loving your body! You just have to start believing it.

Thanks to Kim Kardashian.....my big arse is now a fashion statement,  So today I'm embracing my wobbly bits and I'm proud of my curves......first note written down.

'Does my bum look big in this' is a question I am no longer afraid of.  Cheers Kim.

So for the future...

Do I continue to search for longsleevedwideleglegturtleneckjumpsuit when looking online for a night out outfit or do I buckle myself in and jump about the Self love, get your body out train

 ( I don't quite mean your lady bits) but a little more skin wouldn't hurt.

I know which train I'd like to be on!

Stay Golden!

Love

Paige 

xxx

Is it ever okay to joke about someones height?

Hello Everyone!

Today's post is a wee bit different! Its debate time!

I am a petite woman. I am 5ft 2 and proud, But something happened recently that made me think...'Is it okay to make a joke about a persons height? are we just being too sensitive? . Now is your chance to speak up. I'd love to know your thoughts!

Last week I went to a music gig to support a friend who was singing in a theatre. Before the gig started, My friends and I grabbed a drink and we were casually waiting and chatting away. In the midst of  discussion, a theatre worker approached us and she started engaging in our conversation....a couple of minutes went by and I was then greeted by the lady to which she giggled and said
'Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see you down there'.

Now at the time I wasn't really thinking - to be honest it may have been the glass of red wine that had gone to my head, but afterwards it made me re-evaluate the situation. Was that acceptable? Is it okay to comment on a persons stature straight from the bat?

As a kid, My mum always said 'don't worry hen, all good things come in small packages'. Which has stuck with me to this day and I still find comfort in it. And yes that's all fair and well when it comes to gold or diamonds but as women, we are constantly judged for the way we look. Our hair, our makeup, body type, skin type, skin colour, dress size, the list goes on. In a social situation, I would never have thought of someone ever making a comment on my height! Maybe my dodgy contour or telling me if my lipstick is smeared all over my face but height?. As if we need anything else to worry about!
  

Growing up, I've always been 'Wee Paige' and was always told 'aww your so sweet, your so cute'. Now that's great when your 13 years old wearing blue eyeshadow thinking your the bees knees wearing your mums lipstick, but when does it become all a bit much?

I am almost 23, I'm still young and some may say, 'Its a compliment, you should take it!' which yes, most of the time I do and I don't mind if it comes from my friends and family, but strangers? 

should it really affect the way we feel? Are we being patronised or are we being a bit uptight? Let me know in the comments below!

Lots of Love

Paige xxx