Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Man, I feel like a woman

Today I want to talk about something a little bit more serious than usual.  I know that you've read about this in every single teen magazine, every health class, and heard the lecture from your mom a gazillion times.  But it's just something that hits close to home for me & this outfit was actually a big step (no laughing). 
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thrifted blouse, H&M shorts, thrifted shoes, Forever 21 necklace, thrifted hat

I've always loved the style of pin-ups and adored high-waisted pants, but there was NO WAY I would ever look good in them.  I mean..I have a butt.. and boobs.. and thighs.  I don't look like the Urban Outfitters models that can pull off practically any look. But I'm me and I absolutely love that.

When I was in middle school/ early high school, I had major body issues.  I really feel like that was the toughest time of my life.  Girls at that age are just SO catty & you believe everything they say and take it to heart.. at least if you are sensitive like I am. I still remember this one girl in my Intro to Spanish class that said bullied me & called me fat almost every class! Luckily I had my best friend (who is still my best friend!) in that class to stand up for me, but that doesn't take away the sting.  Looking back at pictures from 7th grade, I wonder what the hell she was talking about because I was literally a stick! And I still believed her!
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This isn't the solution or anything, but I really feel like my relationship with Patrick has helped me overcome this issue the most.  I will say that one of the most positive things about going the church I went to a couple of years back is that it dramatically boosted my self esteem, but there were still those bad days where I just thought I didn't look good in ANYTHING and didn't even want to leave the house to hang out with my friends.  But being with Patrick, I don't feel like I have to impress anybody, and although it's a process, I'm starting to do things for ME, not for other people. 
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Something that keeps replaying in my head is something Shelby (who took these fabulous pictures, thanks Shelby!) said while modeling this skirt for me last week.  She tried it on and it really emphasized her hourglass figure & she walks out and just goes "Man.. I feel like a woman!" Yes, bringing back Shania Twain's ultimate girl power song. But it's so true! You should feel like a woman, all the time! Embrace your curves!
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I'm sorry that this wasn't a post all about fashion, if that's what you came here for.  It's something that's been on my mind lately & I've been really proud of myself for. Generic? Yes. Real? Even more so.

18 comments:

  1. This was a really excellent post. You spoke very well on a subject that I think all women can relate to. Everyone has had self-esteem issues at least once in their life.

    Well done. You are beautiful!

    Sarah Yvonne

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  2. thanks for sharing, this was a really amazing post. I'm so happy you trust us all enough to open up about this, when I did a post similar to this it was one of the most nervewrecking writing experiences for me, but I swear we've all been there. With the over inundation of skinny girls in the media, bad sizing at chain stores, and that semi-anorexic girl we all seem to know in our own lives, its no wonder why so many girls are sadly uncomfortable with their bodies. It shouldn't have to be that way and I think one of the most crucial things we can all learn as we grow up is to accept ourselves for who we are and I'm so glad you're finally doing just that. You have a beautiful body Brittany, more unique than any stick figure emulating Kate Moss!

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  3. I really suffer of really extremely low selfsteem in like 2 o3 years of my early teenager years, mostly because i have dark skin tone (not even so dark now that i think it right), but people is like that and yes i'm very sensitive too. I'm still learning about the selfesteem, but i'm glad you talk about this theme in the blog, it can really help the girls around her. You look truly pretty in this i love that shorts!

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  4. I'm glad you're feeling more self-assured about your body and curves. It's important to embrace what you have!

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  5. I'm happy that you have the support around you to help you come to this realization! You look absolutely gorgeous in these photos and this outfit is not only so adorable, but also highlights the best features about you! And I agree with Chaucee, it is important to embrace what you have! I have no idea if you're religious or anything but I believe that God gave it to us for a reason! :]

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  6. I love love this post. First off, you look amazing...the outfit is great and the pictures are beautiful! Second-I'm so happy you wrote about this because I think one of the reasons I love blogging so much is because you see REAL girls who are stylish, beautiful (inside and out!) and come in all shapes and sizes. It's been such an awesome experience for me personally, to be able to feel more comfortable with who I am and embrace my differences and what makes me unique! I love that blogging creates a safe space for that. :)

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  7. This really resonated with me also. I'm sure it was that girls own insecurities that made her say those things, but yeah...it still hurts and it also weighs heavy on your mind. To be honest, I still find myself comparing my body to other women, bloggers and on the street, and I'll catch myself. I feel like I look this way, because that's the way I'm meant to look, but when I'm bloated and just having an off day, I feel ugly.

    I'm healthy, I'm not a size two, and I should feel good about myself. We should all feel good about ourselves. Thanks for posting this Brittany! And just so you know, you can rock some high waisted shorts like no other!

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  8. Aw Brittany, thanks for your sweet comment. It made my day :]

    I don't care that this post wasn't about fashion; it was amazing. You are hitting the nail on the head with this post. In the past year, I've learn not only to accept how I look, but to accept who I am. Learning to be who I want, for no one else but myself, has given me so much confidence. You're right, we all need to be ourselves FOR ourselves.

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  9. Your outfit is so fabulous in this picture. You are so pretty and I love your freckles (:

    http://chandler-freshstart.blogspot.com/

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  10. i love ur clogs. :) im gladd tat ur now more confidence in urself! well,, i think everyone has experienced tat kind of situation including me,, hmm,, anywayy ,u did well overcoming ur problems!! :)

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  11. Beautiful:))))

    http://minnja.blogspot.com/

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  12. I also wish I was more sensible in grade school and high school. :P I remember some really mean girls made fun of me for not needing a bra yet in the 4th or 5th grade. It was so ridiculous :)

    I've learned to appreciate curves so much better too. And I think you look so fantastic in those shorts.

    I just discovered this blog and I am enjoying it! I will definitely be back!

    B from A plus B

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  13. Excellent post. It's so ridiculous how kids treat each other sometimes. And that behavior says far more about the bully than it does their target, but we're not old enough at the time to realize that. If you're content, you wouldn't feel the need to belittle someone else.

    So glad that you're feeling confident in your own skin now. You should; you're beautiful! :)

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  14. What an amazing post! I followed you here to your blog, from your etsy store. You have some beautiful items! I will definitely be back for more <3
    xo Lynzy
    http://fromskirtstoskillets.blogspot.com

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  15. PREACH! your voice is so empowering and i love hearing about young women that actually love their bodies and aren't trying to crazily modify themselves to fit into some elusive ideal of "beauty" ...

    you have a FANTASTIC figure and you accentuate your body perfectly. its great that you have such a supportive partner cheering you on too :)

    xo.
    princesspolitico.blogspot.com

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  16. You find the cutest things thrifting! I can't wait to come to va for the wave conference and hit the thrift store (we do not have good ones in Jersey)

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  17. I really loved this post. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. I know exactly how you feel. Middle school was a rough time for me too, especially with my body image issues. I was a little on the chunky side and even through to freshman year of high school, I felt like I couldn't wear anything I wanted to because I hated how everything looked on me. And because of all that, I still got self conscious about certain things even when I did lose weight. Even now, I still feel self conscious but for the most part, I embrace what I have and you most definitely should to. Curves are wonderful! Those shorts look amazing on you and you have a wonderful figure. :) I also agree that having someone you don't feel you need to impress and accepts and loves you for just the way you are helps a lot.

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