Hi. I think you're perfect.

I'm obsessed with body image. Utterly obsessed. Not in the bad way like you would suspect, but in the I-wish-everyone-was-comfortable-in-their-own-skin-because-everyone-is-so-stinkin-perfect kind of way.

As women, we tear ourselves down. It's a concept we claim as natural, but really it's just unfortunately learned. Insecurities, comparisons, low self-esteem, and a depleted self-worth plague society. We see images in magazines or on billboards and instantly compare ourselves to them. Heck, I'm even guilty of it. You better believe I've seen pictures and wished I had legs or abs like them. But why do we do this? Where in our life did we ever start thinking we weren't good enough?

Re-touched images have infiltrated society. I'm so in love with the recent marketing campaigns that have stated they would no longer retouch their models and are promoting a positive body image. It thrills me because these comparisons we are making are doing us absolutely no good. We see these images and want to be like them. But why? At some point in your life, you are going to have to accept yourself for who you are.

I'm never going to be a size two. No matter how much I work at it, or how much I think I should or shouldn't eat, it's just not in the cards for me. I wasn't born that way, and I'm certainly not built that way. And you know what? I'm pumped about it. I love my size 8 body. I love my strong build, I love the way my hips curve and how my butt fills out my jeans. But more importantly? I love when I am being my absolute and true self. I feel beautiful when I'm laughing and making others laugh. You know...the genuine and exuberant I'm-going-to-pee-my-pants kind of laugh.  I feel even more beautiful when I'm passionate about something and using my talents to help others succeed and see their self-worth.

Don't you see? Beauty is certainly more than skin deep.

Stop the comparisons, ladies (and even men for that matter). Don't let society dictate how you should or shouldn't look. When I say you're beyond perfect the way you are, I mean it. You have a hearty personality and your very own beautiful and enormous aurora that engulfs you. You have character, and that is what defines you. It doesn't matter if you are tall, short, slender, skinny, full, or curvy - you were made that way for a reason. Embrace that. 

xoxo

Oh and while you're at it watch this vid. I promise it doesn't disappoint.