I feel pretty when....

I've struggled with low self esteem most of my life. But, I'm working on convincing myself that I am beautiful and worthy. I use to avoid mirrors. Now I stop and make faces at myself!
I use to wear boring clothes that are easily 2 sizes too big to hide my curves. Now, I wear stretch denim to show off my curves. Still working on breaking away from black shirts though. I use to hate pictures of myself. Now I only dislike bad pictures of myself and learned how to take a better picture.

So, what makes me feel pretty? I've thought about it long and hard. I'm in my 30's and I have grey hair and creases on my forehead. I have wrinkles around my eyes. My hair isn't always perfect and I usually have a zit somewhere on my chin because I'm cursed with adult acne I guess. But those things don't make me feel pretty. I feel pretty when I laugh or smile. It's that simple. I feel pretty when I make other people laugh or smile. Didn't someone say "The most beautiful curve on a woman's body is a smile"? And ain't that the truth?

I feel pretty when I smile. Not when I have loads of make up on and brand new clothes. Not when I have freshly dyed hair or when I'm wearing a dress. I feel pretty when I'm having fun. So, I guess when I ran out of the house the other day to greet my bf and I told her I didn't feel pretty, I was wrong. I had a huge smile on my face and she was smiling back. I had one charcoal grey eye and one mocha eye but hey! I was pretty anyway!

Don't get me wrong. I love to sit in the floor with my daughter and paint my nails. I love to wear nice clothes. But comfort is a big thing for me. And wearing a dress is not always comfortable.  I have stepped outside of my comfort zone a few times and I'm still trying to feel less awkward in a dress than I use to. It's a gradual process. I do feel better when I don't have as many grey hairs but I'm learning to embrace the changes that come with age. I've come a long way.

I hope you're feeling pretty today. Where ever you are in life. Don't let someone ever make you feel like you're not pretty. Do what makes you feel pretty! Do it for you and do it for future generations.