I’ve had the BEST song stuck in my head for days now.
It’s not normal at all to be happy about a song that won’t leave your brain, but this one. This one is worth having on repeat.
I’ll be honest with you (like that’s ever a rare thing around here, right?), ever since our little love bug came along nearly three years ago, I’ve avoided mirrors and cameras.
I’ve embraced by now that those “tiger stripes” will forever be etched across my stomach. No matter how much dieting and working out I squeeze in between playful, giggly mornings and sweet, bedtime snuggles, I’ve realized those extra 10 pounds most likely aren’t going anywhere.
And you know what? I’m finally getting to a place where I’m okay with that. So that song I was talking about before? It’s called Try by Colbie Callait, and it’s one of those feel good songs that makes you ugly happy cry. (You know what I’m talkin’ about?)
As my tiger striped, 10 pound heavier self inches closer to 30, I’ve decided. Enough is enough.
I can’t avoid cameras forever, and I don’t want to. Because no matter how I feel about my appearance, my daughter deserves to have pictures of her mother, sans makeup and nice clothes. Just my scrubbed out just-as-God-made-me self. That’s real. I want to be notably present in her childhood.
All those times I want to say, “Oh, don’t take a picture of me. I look terrible”; or after a glance in the mirror, “Oh gosh! I’m looking rough,” I need to bite my tongue. Because all those times I put myself down, I’m setting that example for my daughter.
So enough with the self-pity. Because my daughter is the most beautiful person on earth to me, and it would absolutely break my heart to hear her put herself down one day like the way I do to myself.
We are as beautiful as we feel. And the best way to feel beautiful is to accept yourself just as you are.
So as a little celebration of that journey, I made these two printables for Olivia’s bathroom as a reminder that every good day starts with a positive attitude. As she grows and learns more about her place in this world, I want her to see her reflection in that mirror and know she’s beautiful just as herself.
Next week, we will be heading to the beach for a long awaited family vacation, and by golly, I’m going to rock that bathing suit, tiger stripes, extra fluff, and all.
You can download the free printables here:
While we’re gone, I’ll be introducing y’all to a group of four incredibly talented bloggers next week, who I admire so much. I hope you’ll love them as much as I do.
On Sunday, I’ll be hosting a big summer kickoff giveaway too, so check back! I can’t wait!
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Mary says
June 17, 2015 at 4:55 pmLauren, your posts always move me. I have 4 kids and I believe that moms have a “pillow” around their waists so that the kids can snuggle. Because that is what moms are for (according to my daughter). Stay as wonderful and sweet as you are!
Lauren says
June 17, 2015 at 10:04 pmSo absolutely true! Snuggling with a super skinny, boney person can’t be very comfortable. 🙂 Thank you so much, Mary! You always make my day.
Amy says
June 17, 2015 at 7:45 pmWell said! We need to be kinder to ourself and others…it would be a better world. Thanks for the reminder!
Lauren says
June 17, 2015 at 10:08 pmTotally agree! If we lived by what we were taught in kindergarten, the world would be a nicer place.
Bobbie Baker says
June 17, 2015 at 9:08 pmsmile every time you look in the mirror!
Lauren says
June 17, 2015 at 10:12 pmWill do and same to you. 🙂
bryan patterson says
June 17, 2015 at 9:10 pmyou also must remember beauty is much more than physical appearance a huge part or beauty is who you are and no matter how physically beautiful you are the wrong attitude will make you ugly… that being said your attitude is beautiful as well as being physically beautiful so please stop with the negative thoughts they are undeserved 🙂
Lauren says
June 18, 2015 at 1:17 amThank you, Bryan. 🙂
Anne says
June 17, 2015 at 10:27 pmLovely post!
Lauren says
June 18, 2015 at 1:20 amThank you. 🙂
Erin @ the-organized-life says
June 18, 2015 at 8:51 pmThank you for sharing your experience as a mom. So many women struggle with their bodies, especially after having children (hey, it changes us, both inside and out). I work with women and girls that struggle with eating disorders and I have seen more than one “mother/daughter” pair receiving treatment at the same time. Our daughters see our reactions to our own bodies, and learn from our example. I wrote this post awhile ago (totally off the topic of my own blog), but it goes along these lines in case you ever want to read it: http://www.the-organized-life.com/the-power-of-a-number-a-passionate-response/ Thanks for your vulnerability, and sharing these beautiful printables!
Lauren says
June 20, 2015 at 11:53 pmWhat a great job! I’m sure it’s not a glamorous one, but there always needs to be more people like you in the world. 🙂 Thanks for sharing it, Erin!
Amy | Canary Street Crafts says
June 18, 2015 at 10:09 pmOh how I can relate to this one my sweet friend. Your printables are beautiful. YOU are beautiful. I hope you have a fantastic vaca with your family.
Lauren says
June 20, 2015 at 11:54 pmThank you so much, Amy! You are beautiful too, friend!
Brooke says
June 19, 2015 at 1:29 amWell said Lauren! Thanks for sharing that. We can all benefit from those words. I hope you have a great vacation! We will be in Myrtle Beach next week too 🙂
Lauren says
June 21, 2015 at 12:07 amThanks, Brooke! And yay for beach bumming it! Hope you have a great vacay too. 🙂
[email protected] Rustic Maple says
June 20, 2015 at 2:59 amLauren, I love your blog and your decor style but I have to say this is my favourite post of yours EVER.
Lauren says
June 21, 2015 at 12:15 amAw thank you, Elizabeth! You are too sweet!
Rebecca says
June 26, 2015 at 4:41 pmHi Lauren. These are wonderful and what a great reminder to see each day. I love the frames that you used. Do you have the details on them?
Lauren says
July 2, 2015 at 1:50 amThanks, Rebecca! I actually found those frames at a thrift store a little over a year ago, but I think they originally came from Target.
heather says
June 27, 2015 at 10:13 pmYou’re adorable, inside and out. Tiger stripes and all 🙂
Lauren says
July 2, 2015 at 2:14 amAw thanks friend! You’re always adorable too. 🙂
Rebecca says
May 17, 2016 at 9:42 amHow do you make the printables? what software do you use?
Lauren says
May 17, 2016 at 9:45 amI just use Picmonkey.com to make simple ones.
Brooke says
June 24, 2016 at 10:27 amWhat are the size of these printables? Looking for frames 🙂
Lauren says
June 24, 2016 at 1:32 pmI believe the print itself is 6″x6″. My frames with a mat were 10″x10″.
Leah says
July 18, 2017 at 1:07 pmWhere are your frames from? I love these and need to add them to our bathroom makeover.
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 11:31 pmHi Leah! I found the frames at the thrift store actually. I think they originally came from Target though?