You are imperfect and flawed, and you are beautiful,
we all are.
There have been times in my life that I have been told I am too thin and times in my life I have been told I am too fat, but beauty is not measured by the weight on a scale and it is also not for others to judge or comment on.
To me beauty is measured on who we are, by the way we care for ourselves and others. Beauty is how we treat someone, it is in what we do when a friend needs our help, or a stranger is hurt. Beauty is also found in being comfortable in our own skin, and about accepting who we are. Beauty is so much more than our weight or a pretty face. I see more beauty in a person who is kind and smiling than in a person who is mean and heartless yet is ‘societies ideal beauty’.
One of this weeks Friday Reflections prompts asks us to write about how we feel about our bodies. I had no plans to write on this topic, but now here I am writing about it. I started writing about a completely different topic, but then I deleted it, maybe I needed to explore this prompt and really ask myself ‘how do I feel about my body?’
My weight over the past 2 years has fluctuated a lot! I haven’t discussed this with any one other than close family, but the truth is I was quiet unwell and I lost a lot of weight with no effort. It wasn’t anything to serious, but the weight loss was rapid. I felt extremely low. It is funny though that during this time I received so many comments and compliments about how great I was looking! But although it was nice to be able to fit into some lovely clothing it didn’t feel great that it wasn’t for a good reason. It was because I was unhealthy.
After many tests, and a long time, we worked out what was wrong with me and I was started on medication. At first it was fine, I was getting better and my weight was steady. But after a year I wasn’t getting well enough so my specialist recommended a new medication along with my existing one. I dislike taking medication, but I reluctantly agreed as I wanted to be healthy. Since being on my new medication I have gained weight, but I have also gotten healthier. I feel well! No one compliments me now, in fact no one says anything, which is fine, I mean what would they say anyway.
I am not happy about the weight gain, I have days where I am quite down about it, I look in my closet and don’t know what to wear. I have thought that maybe I should stop this medication, yet I want to still feel good and healthy so I remain on it. I have started eating a lot better and also exercising more hoping to counteract the medication, but even with these efforts I have had no weight loss.
For now being heathy and active is my priority, being able to get up without pain and live happier is what I choose. I may not be happy with my weight, but I am happy that I can be active with my children and that I am not constantly feeling unwell, lining in pain or constantly nauseated. Beauty is about living a full life, about smiling every day, about looking at the positives. Yes my weight is not something I am proud of right now, but I am so proud that I am making a choice to be healthy and that makes me beautiful. I am imperfect, I am flawed and I remain beautiful.
Click to Tweet: You are imperfect and flawed, and you are beautiful, we all are.
I thought I would share a bit of my personal journey to accepting how I look with you in a bit of a different and silly way, if you are not a fan of the show ‘Supernatural’ (where have you been?) then you may not know this character, but I hope you enjoy this anyway.
Dean.
Me. “It’s true I do hate what I see somedays.”
Dean.
Me. “I think that’s a bit harsh, I can’t help how I feel, I really just don’t like the way I look at times!”
Dean.
Me. “Yeah I guess it is sad that so many of us feel this way, I know I should love myself more, I am too weak, there are days I just want to cry.”
Dean.
Me. “I guess you are right, so what should I be telling myself? What should all women be telling themselves? Help us out Dean, give us a few words that we should be saying everyday to ourselves!”
Dean.
Me. “Well I guess I am pretty adorable! I mean I am kind, fun, caring and well you are right I am totally adorable! Beauty is so much more than how much I weigh, beauty really is about who we are and loving ourselves. It is about embracing our imperfections, and always striving to be the best version of ourselves. Thanks Dean I get it now!”
Dean.
Me. “Cool, bye”.
Dean.
Me. “Um that’s nice, but sorry I’m married! Thanks for the advice though!”
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Thanks for joining me, love Mac xx
Welcome to Friday Reflections!
Friday Reflections is a Prompt Led Linky. Unlike my #mg linky where you can link anything you wish, Friday Reflections is one where we provide you prompts that inspire you to write. We have a great selection of prompts each week, so there will always be on you will love! I will post the prompts each week, but if you wish to be super organised ahead of time (I am not so great at this), our prompts are on a file on our Friday Reflections Facebook Page. So come join our group. You can post your blog post there too and follow us on Twitter @Fridayreflect. .
How do I get involved? Easy, just choose 1 prompt and feel inspired. Write a post, (or even Vlog if you like,) an then add our super stylish badge to your post! You must always comment on the hosts posts that is myself and Janine. And the one linked up prior to yours. Please share any that you love on social media, pin them or tweet them. I have heard a blogger recently mention blogging karma, I love this as I think it applies so well to links, the more you put in by commenting and sharing, the more you will get back. We all know blogging + life = crazy busy, but please share the love and comment.
Then add your URL link to your post and we will stop by and read and comment! Have fun!
HERE ARE THIS WEEKS PROMPTS: Time to get writing.
Friday 26 February 2016:
1. What are you grateful for this year so far?
2. Share you ultimate fitness tips.
3. Tell us a funny story.
4. How does travelling change the way you see yourself?
5. How do you feel about your body? Perhaps write a letter to yourself being totally honest with your thoughts.
Last weeks featured post was by A Quiet Girl’s Musings of a World that Talks Too Much. Please take the time to read her post The Meaning Behind the Lyric a great post, here is a quote from Ericka’s post
“I also learned that in order to survive changes, I have to let go of the illusion of solidity in an ever changing, fluid world. There are things in life that are definitely worth fighting for, things that are worth our time and energy. Things that are out of our control, are not. Much happiness can come from that acceptance as well as the ability to move forward”.
Thanks Ericka for sharing your post with us.
Don’t forget to display our stylish badge when linking up if you want to have a chance to be our featured writer.
Loading InLinkz ...Just love this quote by the actor who plays Dean, Jensen Ackles
8 comments
It’s so fantastic you are feeling well and are healthy Mack! I’m so happy for you. I do think it’s quite sad and shallow the focus on looks and weight and materialism in this day and age. It just seems that so many people don’t ‘see’ you or don’t think you’re happy and fulfilled in your life unless you are slim, perfectly made up and perfectly dressed. And like you said you just don’t get comments at all… I say don’t people see how much more there is to life by living and doing amazing things, learning, reading, writing, socialising! Exercise because it’s fun and it makes you feel good, eat because it tastes good and gives you pleasure, live life because you enjoy it! And yeah some people probably say well you guys are fat so that’s why you say these things but really I know who’s happier! And not constantly worrying about how they look! Be confident in yourself, love yourself because you are awesome not because you are skinny!! And just live life to the fullest fat skinny or whatever!!! And you Mack always look fabulous because of your beautiful face and smile and generosity and I don’t even notice the rest! xx
Thanks for being patient with me. I finally got it!
thank you so much for linking up, we are thrilled to have you on board
I wrote on the same topic this week Mac. You are a beautiful women inside and out and sometimes we are so hard on ourselves. My aim is to be healthy and happy – and I think I’m finally happy with how I look. That is because I do exercise but also because I have accepted who I am. I will never be a super model or beautiful but I am me! #FridayReflections
I’m on some medication that’s added 5 or so kgs to my weight and I don’t like that part, but I am happier and healthier and I have less headaches and sleep better – sometimes I think a bit of extra weight can be the trade off we need to be our best (although I’d like to find a drug that took 5kg off instead of adding it!) Being happy is what is truly beautiful – not wearing a size smaller in clothes xx
It’s a hard one the whole medication weight gain thing and being healthier. I feel just the same way. And thanks for the Dean-inspo. Man I love those boys. Have you seen their You are not alone campaign?
I hear you about being disappointed with your body — I’m currently going through that. I have been unhealthy in terms of my food and I hate how I look and feel. I understand that it’s not all about the scales but for me, it’s about the centimetres I suppose and how I feel. While I get imperfection and flaws are normal and who we are, sometimes, it’s hard.
First, I’m sorry you were ill for so long and it has taken meds to get you feeling better, especially meds with side effects. But secondly, I am so glad you ARE feeling better, and that you are able to look past the weight gain and see the huge benefit. Nobody enjoys unwanted weight gain, especially when it is induced by something we can’t control (the only thing I can blame mine on is Oreo cookies! ). But when those who love you look at you, they are seeing a beautiful, happy, healthy Mackenzie! I’m glad you see her, too!
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