I know this may be hard to believe, considering I was featured in a FASHION article in Runner's World, but I am really not into appearances. In fact, the ONLY time I have any sense of style is when I am working out.
Don't believe me? You should. I only have 40 non-workout pieces in my wardrobe (up slightly from the 35, I posted about HERE). And 22 of those pieces are t-shirts and long sleeve shirts that could easily be mistaken as workout gear. Don't get me wrong, glitz and glam is nice and all, but I will choose function and comfort over so-called style any day.
And do you know why?
Because it's me that makes an outfit "cute," not the other way around.
I am confident.
I am proud.
And I own my style, regardless of what others think of it.
It's a lesson I am trying desperately to teach my daughters. I want nothing more for them to value their own self worth. To realize that they are not defined my their clothing or shoes or hairstyle. Beauty lies within. And the only person who can make you feel bad about yourself is you.
That's why when Dizzle told me that she doesn't like my shaved head (it's not girly enough for her), I replied, "That's OK. I do."
I own my style choices. Over the past 15 years, I have had pink, blue, purple and green hair. I've shaved my head more than once. I've pierced my tongue, my nose, my eyebrow and my belly button. I have tattoos. I flaunt what I've got. And I am unashamed about it. Because I know that ...
Confidence is beautiful.
Strength is beautiful.
Pride is beautiful.
Express yourself however you'd like. Then, own it.
Understand that it doesn't matter what's on the outside. Then, own it.
Be who you are, even if that's not what everyone wants you to be. Then, own it.
Have you entered my Brooks Giveaway yet? Check it out HERE
34 comments:
This may just be your best post ever! I believe all the words you say and I tell them to myself all the time, but how do you truly believe them and live them? Did your mom raise you like that? Tell us! p.s. you have 818 followers - my very special # - it made me smile. Hope you have a wonderful day!
I love it! Great post.
I was in bebe once, not sure I could pull off the dress I was trying on, and the girl said "Honey, you make the clothes. The clothes don't make you!"
I saw you in Runners World!! Woohoo! You look great! I am right there with you. It is all about feeling good in your own skin!
Sarah
Fantastic.
I think that I needed to read this for myself.
It is at the perfect time.
I have taken my life back. :)
And I just want to say that your shaved head with your headbads?
Completely adorable. :)
This post is beautiful. Just what I needed to read this morning. Thank you!
I hear you........
Great post! I just got my Runner's World in the mail yesterday. I think I need to go buy MORE workout gear...that stuff is all seriously cute! :)
Awesome. I have a tattoo and pink hair, so we are both pretty awesome. Our superhero group is going to be amazing!
Great post, great message! Just what I needed to hear this morning!
T, I LOVE this post! beautiful! you just put into words exactly why I look up to you!
this is such a great post. own it is right. and i love your shaved head.
Thanks for the reminder in your post today. It is something I am always working on, remembering my own self worth.
Great message...I get hung up on 'slowness' as a runner but I still work hard and own my life, health, sanity and happiness.
Great Post... Just what I needed to hear today.
I will be owning it today!
First post I opened today... and it is AWESOME! Thank you!
I literally got goose bumps. LOVE THIS!
Great post! What an awesome lesson to teach your girls.
I love this post! :)
Sooo true. It is your body and your hair! I never ask for others permission or whether they like my hair or a certain outfit - it doesn't matter - the only thing that matters is whether I like it or feel comfortable in it.
When my son was 6 he attended a summer YMCA camp and one of the staff had lots of piercings and yellow and black hair. Well now my son wanted colored hair. So I bought the spray in hair color in bright blue and black and sprayed his hair. This lasted a few months into the school year - I thought it was great that he could express himself.
I have 2 girls. I pray some confidence rubs off on them...it took 30 years for me to find mine! Rock on with that shaved head girl.
Love this post. This is what I admire in you. Sometimes I care what others thing... I'll admit it...
This is an awesome post and a lesson that EVERY girl should learn. Hugs!
I love this post! What an amazing gift you are giving your girls.
I do care what others think but mostly what other say. What they say can and will get back to my kids. People can be hurtful. My family is not made up of people who fit into the general populations cookie cutter molds of beautiful. (Look at the dark haired girl on the Insanity videos - to the left of Shane T, boobjob! Did she want that or did the feedback from the earlier vidoes say they'd like her better that way?!)
I own who and what I am. I'm not currently happy with my physical condition so I am working towards changes that will make me happ(ier) because even without them, I'm happy. I try to help my kiddos understand that they need to first be proud of who they are right now and work towards improving whatever they feel needs improvement. It's a fine line to walk when trying to help kids understand that they don't have to be like everyone else when their peers are giving them a hard time for not being like everyone else.
Great post! As the mother of an 18 year old girl, it is so hard to teach them to not care what others think. Fortunately, I seem to have done okay! She got her first tattoo on her 18th b-day and I went with her to take pictures.
Absolutely love this post!
you are a freaking
rockstar.
I have shown that article to at least 40 people. BEST photo ever.
LOVE this!!! Extremely extremely well said! On another note, I was so super excited to see your article that I squealed like the little girl that I am on occasion so loudly that my husband actually asked what my problem was. To him I said, "OMG I know this girl!!" (you know, because I read your blog and all we're totally, like bffs or something.)
Awesome!!!! I wish I had half the confidence you do!
Amen! I was just talking about this with a friend today. I wish I owned it a little more. I'm working on it. My daughter is 4, so I need to get my buns in gear so she can see me loving myself so she'll love herself. Great post.
Excellent advice, I need to get some of the confidence and pride.
LOVE this.
Oh, and I'm sending my kids over to your house for their daily self-esteem lesson!
Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
Awesome post. People can learn a lot from you!
Tonia, this beautifully and powerfully said here! Just saw you in Runner's World! So stinking cool! Love it!!
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