My once skin-tight stomach is now like a waterbed, flopping around with stretched out skin. I don’t have a thigh gap as I used to, but instead have thighs that touch against each other every time I walk.
My feet have now grown a full size, and my wedding ring hasn’t fit in over a year. I have bags under my eyes that now seem permanent no matter the amount of make-up I use.
I try to go the gym, but the motivation and exhaustion just seem to overtake my body. Whereas before, I could exercise all day, and eat whatever I wanted.
You tell me time and time again that I still look beautiful to you, but I don’t think you get it. It’s hard going from something so “perfect” in the world’s eyes, to just another “mom.”
Is that all I am? Just another mom?
It gets depressing and it gets upsetting. Why can’t I just snap back?
When I tuck my two perfect miracles into bed each night, I forget that I’m not a size two. I forget that my chest is now saggy from breast-feeding. I forget about my pudgy fingers.
Because to them, and you, I am beautiful. I am someone.
They don’t care if they eat mac n’ cheese for dinner. They don’t care if I’m wearing yoga pants for the second day in a row, and they don’t care if my house is spotless or not.
In their eyes, I am perfect.
Motherhood is hard. We compare ourselves to so many women wishing our lives were just like theirs. But do we see their worst days? Or only their “perfect” days on social media?
Accepting our new body is hard. It’s depressing, and sometimes it’s hard to even look in the mirror. I get it.
But to them, we are beautiful.
So how do you accept it?
Compliment yourself
Instead of pointing out the “bad” or the negative about yourself, point out the good, and say it to yourself!
- “I am good at loving my children.”
- “I am patient.”
- “I am a good cook.”
Try to remain positive about yourself throughout the day, and think happy thoughts!
Communicate with Your Partner
Motherhood is hard, especially if you’re doing it alone. If you have a partner, communicate with him or her! This does not need to be a one-person show.
- Ask them to pick up dinner on the way home.
- Ask them to help with bath time.
- Ask them to be in charge of bed time.
This can help take a load off of you, and give you the time you deserve, and also lets your partner feel valued and needed.
Make Time for Yourself
Your days will seem excruciatingly long if you do not have a couple moments to yourself. Maybe that means turning on the TV for 10 minutes so you can have some “you” time. Or maybe it means going to Chick-fil-A and letting the kids run around while you eat some ice-cream and scroll through social media. Or maybe it’s simply going to the bathroom, locking yourself in there, and just sitting for five minutes. MAKE. TIME. FOR. YOU.
No, I am not the woman I used to be. I’m 30 pounds heavier, and probably a little more cranky. But, I wouldn’t trade that for anything, if it means I get to be a mom to my children. So I’ll take a size six over a size two any day. Hey, there’s more of me to love; right?
