6.19.2013

confidence :: rock it like a fashion trend that's here to stay

So the other day my good friend Anne posted this article on facebook and after reading it my mind was blown.  Do you ever just read an article and all you can think is, yes this! Exactly that! All of these things, I agree with. 

Go read it, we can discuss after. 
.....
.....
.....

Ok, great, let's get to it. 

Basically in the article the author, Kasey Edwards, talks about how her mother's own insecurities ultimately shaped her insecurities that are still present today and she does not want to do the same thing to her daughter. 

Lord knows children, teens, and well me, have enough to deal with when it comes to society and how we should look, we don't need our mothers and other influential females in our lives to be making it harder. (Side note: my mother is beautiful and confident, and never talked down about herself or acted insecure when I was growing up, so thanks for not making things harder for me, Mom! I blame society, not you.)  

Now, I don't have children yet, but I do know that I am often bad about talking poorly about myself in front of others, often times Brad because he is the only one around to listen.  I am horrible at taking compliments, and honestly, I know I don't give myself enough credit.  I am guessing it is safe to say I am not the only female that does this?!

Reading this article gave me a little wake up call and I am glad it did. I want to break the cycle of negativity directed towards myself before I affect my daughter, or my young cousins, or any other person I could potentially influence...But most importantly I want to stop it for myself.

Once in a while articles come around or even something as cheesy as a quote on Pinterest


and they remind me to get my shit together and be confident, but most importantly they remind me to be positive and happy with myself. Yes, I can strive to be the best version of me, but that doesn't mean I need to beat myself up in the process while working to get there. 

This portion of the article stuck with me the most, so I figured I would share it here, just in case you guys got lazy and didn't make it to the end of the article:
"Let us honour and respect our bodies for what they do instead of despising them for how they appear. Focus on living healthy and active lives, let our weight fall where it may, and consign our body hatred in the past where it belongs."
ps. Brooke could you be wearing any more bright colors?!  - Said in my best Chandler



Cheers to feeling confident!

<3 BB

19 comments

Motormouth Macey said...

Great post Brookelyn! I couldn't agree more with everything you've written. I've not had my own kids, but dating a man with a 12 year old daughter has opened my eyes quite a bit as to how much my view of myself affects her. I have been working quite hard the past few months to only talk positive about myself and emphasize the good qualities in her as well. I've noticed a shift in how I view myself because of it, and it's getting easier and easier to accept the positive things I'm saying and actually believe them.

PS- your arms are AMAZING! Work it girl!

brooke lyn said...

thanks, thanks, thanks!!! it's crazy how a person's outlook can affect others, i am really working on keeping mine more positive!

kailyn said...

that article was JUST what I needed. how did you know?! probably cos we're blog besties, you know. telepaths if you must. and the FRIENDS reference, yessssssssss that's one of my favorite episodes. "Look at me, I'm Chandler, could I BE wearing any more clothes? Maybe if I wasn't going commando!"

Kalyn P said...

Such a great article with a powerful message! I think were all guilty of putting ourselves down (I know I am) and sadly its just become the norm. I surely don't want my future daughter to feel that way about herself. Great post!!

Motormouth Macey said...

One thing that has helped me is knowing that everybody else is so focused on themselves that they probably don't even notice the little things I nit-pick about me. All they seem to see is my body language and attitude, so as long as I keep that positive I'm good to go :)

Caitlin said...

Brooke this is my favorite post of yours so far! I love these articles that give you a "wake up call" like you said. And just fyi, I think you are a beautiful badass, and you should too :)

Caitlin said...

Brooke this is my favorite post of yours so far! I love these articles that give you a "wake up call" like you said. And just fyi, I think you are a beautiful badass, and you should too :)

Rachel Sedaker said...

Thank you for this post today! Positive body image is a cause that is incredibly important to me. I used to be 60lbs heavier, but still have had body image issues, even when people would call me skinny. I'll never have ripped abs (or if I do, I'll never be able to see them), so I don't really like the images that spew positive body wisdom with a picture of toned abs. That body type is not realistic for everyone (especially if someone has undergone major weight loss). A focus on being happy and healthy is what counts, and that's why I'm glad you highlighted the part of the article that you did.

I think it's time for a revolution. It starts with us women as individuals- choosing to love ourselves as we are, because we only get one body in this lifetime and it's up to us to love that body. "Society" "media" and just plain meanies don't deserve to have a say in our self-esteem.

You seem so strong and confident, so I was a little surprised at your choice of topic, but at the same time, it does seem to be universal for women. Cheers to being confident, indeed! <3

brooke lyn said...

so true!!!

brooke lyn said...

thanks mah friend!!! :)

Ginny Williams said...

Go Brookelyn! Loved it! I read your post and Kacey's and both were spot on and very insightful! You look gorgeous girl and you have a great figure so don't ever forget that!

Ginny
www.buttergirldiaries.com

Unknown said...

Love this! All for positivity. And you are rocking those bright colors! <3 <3 <3

OrangeMew said...

That was a great, powerful article- thanks for sharing it. Cheers to feeling confident- or at least faking it until it just becomes real. If someone gives you a compliment, just say THANK YOU, take it sincerely and shut up- no excuses of why you don't deserve it or dumbing down the praise, just take it as proof of someone pushing you up! Did I mention you're awesome!?

Tami said...

This is fab (PS--your bod is bangin and the fact that you could possibly have complaints stupefies me) ANYWHO it's so true and I hope to never complain about myself in front of my one-day daughter, or any young girl for that matter. It's crazy how far our little words go in their minds

Jenn said...

Man, body acceptance and confidence is just the hardest thing ever. Thanks for posting that link. Loved it!

JumpingJE said...

Said the girl who just did mudder in a sports bra and booty shorts! Love this, my mama sent this to me a week ago and I haven't thanked her yet for it. Break the cycle, my beautiful friend!

Unknown said...

Wow... such a great article and I hadn't read it yet! Thank you for sharing. I've been going through a crazy process of body changes since I found out I was pregnant over two years ago. During my process I've thought a lot about my self-image and how I've been shaped. I have a series coming out soon touching on many of the same idea that the article shared. I don't want to share my poor self-confidence with my beautiful son. I catch myself doing things that could eventually negatively impact his view of himself or me. That isn't something that I desire. I like the reminders. Keep up the good work!

MacKensie said...

I love ALL OF THIS

Bonnie Weeks said...

We are pretty awesome women aren't we?! Awesome post. PS you're cool.