Posted on April 17 2016
Been a busy week at TSID! I was lucky enough to be part of the Mothers Day promotion photo shoot with my gorgeous mum and nana. We had an absolute ball wearing the clothes. Our crazy-talented photographer Kristin Walker from Honey Images worked her magic amongst the majestic bush at my parents home in Cottlesbridge. We got to see some of the shots as they were taken. My first response was YUCK. OMG do I seriously look like that? No way, take another one. The look on Kristin's face was incredulous! Why she said!? They are beautiful!
It really got me thinking. I am a fairly confident person. Of course I have insecurities - who doesn't? But why do we find it so hard to take compliments? Why is it so hard to hear something nice about yourself and actually believe it? 
Have stereotypes of beauty become so fixed that we think that unless we look a certain way we don't look beautiful? I am 5ft 5. I am 75kg. I have 3 kids. A lovely soft belly where my abs used to be. I have stretch marks and 'bingo wings'. My jawline is considerably less angular and my eyes show evidence of tears and laughter. My ankles seem to have grown in circumference and my hips pop over my jeans. My boobs are longer than they are round. My arms have lifted more Coke cans than Dumbbells.
But am I ugly? Am I disgusting? Am I so repulsive that I should hide myself away? My response not that long ago would have been yes. Nobody wants to see that. My days of booty shorts and midriff tops are over. My response now? Hell no! I'm going to rock this. I'm going to be 38 this year. I'm happy, busy, motivated and have access to clothes that can make me FEEL beautiful no matter my size. I can wear trackies and hoodies or stilettos and skirts, and I can smile. I am a role model to my daughters. I want them to know that perfection doesn't exist. Self confidence, self worth and self belief DOES. Insecurity is not size specific. It does not discriminate. A size 8 can wish for curves and a size 22 can wish for a thigh gap. If we want to change ourselves, we need to make sure we are doing it for the right reason.
Next time someone pays you a compliment, instead of saying, 'oh no, I look awful, or I'm so fat/old/wrinkly' - say THANK YOU! OWN THAT SHIT! Appreciate that someone is taking the time to let you know that they think you are looking the goods. Because unless they are Regina George from Mean Girls - they mean it
Claire xx
Perfect Claire…Right on the money!! That is precisely what needs to be said and promoted, and will have more health benefits than you could ever imagine. My downloadable report, which you will be able to access later in the week, should shed some insight. Great Job. Love what you stand for.
Kimberley Maxey -HappyBalance
This is BRILLIANT!!! Thank you for sharing it.
I know it sounds rather blokey, but if every man wanted the same, there would be only one type of car on the market. Woman are made different to make the world a better place, own it, be yourself and remember, if someone isn’t happy with who you are, they are probably just as unhappy with themselves.
I was talking to Sam about this on Saturday. Your photos made me go in and buy my winter clothes because they looked so amazing on you. Great blog.. Keep up the great work xoxox
Claire you rock. We need to read more of this self loving, self nurturing, positive womanly behaviour. Especially like your thoughts about what we are teaching our daughters.
You Inspire me!!! Keep up the awesome blogs girlfriend. Xx
Claire you are such an inspiration! you are beautiful inside and outside I’m really enjoying reading your blogs. Xoxo
Great read Claire! Thanks
Love this!! You’re stunning inside and out.. I’m going to read this to both my daughters.. Xx
Your beautiful Claire and you have the model factor for sure even after your beautiful children your one of those people I have looked at in the past and gone I wish I looked like her how lucky you are .keep up the great work xx
Love this Claire! So beautifully written xo