I posted this photo on Facebook last night. 12 hours later and it already has over 70 likes meaning that in all of the end of year recaps on Facebook I will probably see this photo over and over again. I almost did not post this photo. I do not love it at all. 8 months pregnant and all I see is a lot of weight to lose and a double chin. Or at least that was the first thing I saw. About a year or two ago I think that would have been the only thing I saw. I would have seen a woman who every day literally weights more today than she did before and the most she has ever weighed in her life. Who has a closet full of clothing that when she has the baby and probably 3 months later and 6 months later still will not fit in to them. 2 years ago that is where it would have ended. With being embarrassed about the photo that is on our town's newspaper's front page.
Fortunately for me and my self confidence yesterday that is not all I saw. I stared at the photo a little longer. I saw a woman having a pretty good hair day wearing her favorite necklace. I saw a woman who despite being 8 months pregnant had rocked a great workout that morning. I saw a woman on a much needed night out with her husband having fun with a group of relatively new friends in a town that although she has lived in for 8 years finally feels like a part of it. (As someone who group in a town where you couldn't go anywhere without running into someone you knew I'm surprised to say that I missed it.) I was also able to see the humor in a photo of a pregnant woman putting tickets in a jar in order to win gift certificates to a pizza and ice cream place.
I don't know what this really says. Perhaps it says I used to be too serious or too self conscious. What I think is more likely is that over the last 2 years I have devoted a lot of time and energy to helping other people live healthier, more confident and more inspired lives. It has caused me to get out of my comfort zone and made me realize a lot of things about life. One of the biggest take aways is that we judge ourselves way, way harder than others judge us or even think about us. The fact is that most people don't have the energy or time to be bothered or focused on someone else long enough to focus on their flaws. In fact most people would much rather focus on the good things and be positive.
The point of all of this, if there is one, is to encourage you to look beyond your self criticism and push yourself to see the positives. All the wonderful things about you that the rest of us see. Being self confident does not mean never seeing personal flaws, instead it means seeing all the wonderful things about yourself too.