Comfortable Being Me

I feel like a good amount of my life has been spent comparing myself to others, and basing my decisions on those around me. Especially in high school, I would take note of what others were wearing, watching, and doing, and I would be in a constant game of follow the leader. Even after becoming a mother, I was determined to be "one of those" who would always have my hair & make-up done, be well dressed, and have my husband come home to a wife doing the dishes in 6 inch heels. All this seemed so appealing after seeing it be done in the movies and even with a few friends with kids; but I finally stopped looking around and trying to be someone else, because slowly but surely, I became more comfortable just being me.

Lesson 1: I am not a girly-girl. Day to day, you will see me in yoga pants, sports bra, racer back tank, and either flip flops or sneakers. This is a simple one: they're comfortable. Not to mention, if I'm already dressed to run, I have no excuse not to go for one when hubby gets home from work. I'll take Nike and Puma over Coach and Armani any day. Lucky for me, Eric tells me that he finds me most attractive when I'm run-ready; sure, the tight running capris play a strong roll, but taking good care of myself is a more attractive quality than someone who spends hours getting ready each day only to apply more and more make up and hair, and look less and less like the real you.

Lesson 2: It's not all or nothing. "Dressing up" to me can be anything from adding a pair of chunky earrings to my messy-bun & jeans look, to heels, dresses and curls. Fun? Yes. Daily preference? Absolutely not. I do, however, love a lil' mascara and eyeliner - even with yoga pants. But my hair? Impossible. Not only is it outrageously thick and unmanageable from having a baby 8 weeks ago, but it's too damn hot to blow dry and straighten this mop. I was not blessed with totally straight or beautifully curly hair: I've got the inbetween; waves. Good for a beachy look, perhaps, but not so much for a shower-and-go-natural one. Therefore, I live in messy buns and braids. And hey, as a mother of 2 who plans on exercising later that day, that's just fine with me. I may be no Posh, but I make a great Sporty Spice.

Truly being comfortable with yourself obviously goes a lot deeper than the clothes you wear, and here's where I go back to my over-expressed topic: happiness. Not only am I lucky to have Eric who supports me no matter what, but I am lucky to have the ability to be happy with myself - and this took years. I kissed my past goodbye, looked forward to the future, and focused on the present. I take good care of myself by eating right and exercising. I focus nearly all my energy into mothering my 2 girls to the best of my ability, and I stay truly honest and genuine in everything I do. That alone makes me feel great about myself - nothing to hide (as anyone who reads my blogs will know, I'm an open book); I love giving to others without the expectation of receiving something in return, and I try not to half-ass anything. I feel like right now in my life, I am the best person/wife/mother I can be, and I couldn't be any of those things without self acceptance and happiness.

I no longer feel like I have to compare myself to anyone - I am 100% comfortable being me, yoga pants and all.