Lottie Loves Finishing School – A is for ATTITUDE (and I have plenty of that)

So a while back I wrote a post about feeling sexy. In it I talked about feeling like I was emerging from the fog of early motherhood, feeling like I was reclaiming my body and my confidence. I lamented about how HARD the daily grind, and just the image of being ‘Mum’ made it to feel sexy sometimes, but how determined I was not disappear. I would find a way to still feel young and sexy and attractive AND be a mother. Being one did not mean you couldn’t be the other.

And you know what? I have. I feel great. Not everyday, but generally, yes.

And do you know why? Because I am TRYING to. I’m making an effort.

Not for anyone else, not because women ‘should’ look a certain way, but because it makes ME feel good. I always thought that worrying about your appearance was a step away from feminism, but what I’m learning is that, actually, doing what makes you feel good is empowering. And if that means buying a new dress and getting my hair done, then so be it. Not all feminists have to wear track suits bottoms and scowls. Wanting to look good and feel good, whatever your shape or size, feeling happy in your own skin, is a pretty fundamental need in a lot of women. And one we should be OWNING.

My lovely (and gorgeous, but we won’t hold it against her) friend Lottie is recognising and supporting  this need in her new blog workshop – Lottie Loves Finishing School.

This is not about conforming to an ‘ideal’ kind of beauty. This is about embracing everything you are. It is about positivity, and confidence and about how you THINK as much as it is about how you look.

I think it’s bloody brilliant.

Week One’s challenge was A for Attitude – Lottie has challenged us to put aside our self doubt and negativity and think about what makes us happy about ourselves.

I have battled with self doubt and negativity my whole life. I have spent a great deal of time hating myself and not liking who I am. And do you know what? It’s such a fricking waste of energy. I am who I am. And, I’m realising, I am LOVED for who I am.

It’s about time I was proud of that, embraced that. Because the people that love me think I’m worth something, and for the first time I believe that they might actually be right.

So. For them, and for me. Here’s my list of things about myself that make me happy. These are the things I like:

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  A is for ATTITUDE

  I like that I am complicated, and spirited, and emotional. I like that I FEEL. It makes life fun and exciting and challenging. And I  think it makes me fun person to know, not always an easy person to know, but worth it.

• I like my creativity and all the ways in which it finds its expression. I like that it is as fundamental to my existence  as breathing and water. It defines who I am and how I relate to the world. It is going to be the thing that people remember about me most.
• I like my eyes. I think I have nice eyes. And pretty feet. I like that my lips are pink enough not to have to wear lipstick. And I have good shoulders. I think they’re my best feature actually.
• I like my sense of humour. I think, when I don’t try too hard, I can be pretty funny.
• I like my short hair. I like that it requires practically no effort and that it suits me. I like the way that it makes me look a little boyish and means I can pull off being edgy with scruffy jeans as well as I can a pretty dress. I think that’s pretty sexy.
• I have good skin. I’m grateful for good skin.
• I think I have a nice singing voice. It’s not going to win X-factor any time soon but it makes a nice sound and that makes me happy.
• I like that I am fearless, or, at least, that I’m getting there. My history has made me not afraid of pain or change. I can do anything, cope with anything. I like feeling brave.
• I like that absolutely none of the above are affected by how much weight I may or may not be carrying.

So there you go.

If you’re feeling a bit blah and in need of a confidence injection I would suggest you go and check out Lotties Loves blog for ways to start feeling fabulous again. This week’s challenge is all about boobs which makes me extra happy.

And if you’re leaving a comment I would LOVE for you to tell me at least one thing that you like about yourself. Men too please, you are just as entitled to feel fabulous as the rest of us…

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