The must have accessory for Summer 2015.....your own skin!

Laura Elizabeth Jordan
Jun 25, 2015
3 min read

For my first blog I wanted to touch on body image because it is something I have always struggled with, who bloody hasn't I hear you cry! Growing up I was always very tall and in return it always made me feel gargantuan in comparison to the girls around me. I like most tried diets, bought books along with Bridget Jones granny pants, sucking every bit of my stomach and arse in to a space they logically should never be able to squeeze into. My weight has fluctuated as I have dipped in and out of relationships. Being off all carbs and living on a diet of wine and fear of eternal loneliness when single, to comfort eating and having Papa Johns on speed dial, when happy and content in a relationship.

If only it was truly that simple to love my body as unconditionally and as much as my husband does, or to believe him when he says it is perfect! My biggest hang up being my arms and stomach - these bad boys have not seen the light of day since I was about 9 years old. I remember going to an aerobics class at my Junior school and being next to my friend who was so petite and perfectly proportioned. Something twigged in me and the Nike sports bra never made a public appearance again. Even to this day I will not wear a sleeveless dress or top, growing up in a society where thin is beautiful with no exceptions, has unquestionably impacted on my self confidence even in my late 20's and I wonder if I will ever overcome my lifelong hang-ups.

I feel best about my body when taking action against by lumps and bumps. Therefore a few weeks ago I started my own tongue in cheek "fat club" with one of my best friends. This consists of us basically hurling abuse at each other for not exercising or scoffing fist full’s of Haribo on a daily basis. Most importantly however, we encourage each other and share how great we feel after a run or losing a few pounds. Just eating foods that are healthy makes me feel better about my body image and gives me a spring in my step. By no means am I suggesting that being "thin" is the answer to all of my body issues, in fact I wouldn't want to lose all of my curves and I think that is because of the shift in the images constantly thrust in our faces from the media circus. With the recent #droptheplus campaign for supposed "plus sized" models to just be known as "models", I really love that women are starting to be celebrated for beauty alone, and that it comes in so many forms. We don't have to be perfect and all we need to figure out is what makes us feel better about being us, so we can make the most of life. That might be that you love your size 22 figure, or your size 6 frame, or perhaps you want to gain a little , lose a little, or just sustain what you have. Whatever it is, figure out how to achieve it and just do it, because the best investment you can make is not in some new shoes (even really pretty ones) it is in yourself and in your own happiness, as the thing you should feel best in is your own skin.