I feel pretty.

June 26, 2012

This is going to sound like the most narcassistic post ever, but frankly, I don’t care.

For the past 2 days, I’ve felt pretty. I did a styling challenge for Tadashi Shoji where my friend Anne took photos of me. The results are on my plus size fashion blog. When I got the photos from her, I looked through each one and not once did I say in horror: “Oh my God, is that what I look like?” Remember when that happened a couple of weeks ago? Sinking feeling.

For years, I’ve felt a major disconnect between what I actually look like to others versus what I see in the mirror. I convinced myself that I looked one size when I was much larger in reality. It seemed like a way my mind was trying to protect myself from the horrifying truth about how unhealthy I was. Of course, when I would see photos of myself, the crash of realizing I had been fooling myself that I looked happy and healthy was nearly unbearable. Crazy depression would follow. Self loathing and a complete withdrawal from what few life activities I was doing at the time, followed by even more weight gain. Awesome cycle.

With these pictures though? I saw MYSELF. Not the me I used to be or the me I want to be. It’s just me. I wish I could explain it better, but it’s almost like seeing yourself in the mirror for the first time. It’s me – all of me – and it’s exactly as I see myself.

look at my calves!

I felt so pretty that for the first time in my life, I climbed a tree. I blame Katniss.

even with a fake moustache – all me.

I’m where I’m supposed to be, and it feels good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to twirl in my pretty dress because it makes me feel good.

  • http://www.mamamarchand.com/ tricia

    “I blame Katniss” – best line ever! You are beautiful, friend!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      haha, thanks! I was joking that I needed a rope to tie myself up there ala Katniss, but it would have made the photo ugly. Plus, I was only about 4 feet off the ground, LOL

  • MsPeachPlus

    Keep rocking it because you are beautiful, girl! :)

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thank you xo

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=543659163 Deborah Cook

    Great pictures and I love the self-love! You look pretty so glad you feel it too!
    Deb

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thank you Deb :)

  • Rachel

    You look beautiful in all these pictures. But I’ve always thought you’re beautiful. I’m super jealous of your almond shaped eyes and perfectly arched brows. And look at those calves! Congratulations on seeing yourself the way the world sees you. :) Keep that with you always.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thank you Rachel. Isn’t it funny how others love the things we often hate?

  • Rachel

    P.s. Not hitting on you, I promise! :) Just being honest. And I LOVE your hair!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      darn, I was really hoping to get hit on today ;) just kidding

  • Pia

    Beautiful!! Gorgeous you, gorgeous dress, gorgeous photography, and most of all, such an awesome sentiment! I’m still working on making peace with/reconciling/accepting one’s sense of oneself with pictures, and the mirror…its really inspiring to hear about another person getting there!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      Thank you Pia. The hardest part I think after getting to that place of acceptance is staying there.

  • Beth

    You look amazing in those photos! Good for you :)

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      Thank you Beth!

  • Jen

    You look gorgeous!!! You know what I’ve realised lately too, that real change can only come from acceptance. Sure its fine to have goals, and want to be healthier and change our bodies for the better, but when we come from a place of self acceptance and love, its SOOOO much easier – than when it comes from a place of “I have to change because I hate everything about myself, oh woe is me!!”

    Work with what you have, look fabulous, feel fabulous and you’ll find that you suddenly feel like you DESERVE change and your self esteem allows you to accomplish your hearts desires!

    Go Emmie! xxx

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      Thank you Jen – great points! The acceptance is so, so hard, but I love how you said “feel like you DESERVE change” – this is where I’m at today. Might be gone tomorrow, so today I’ll celebrate it.

  • audra

    There are not enough good words to say here! WE ARE MEANT TO LIVE LIFE LOVING WHO WE ARE. I am so happy for you to feel this way because you deserve it. We all do. Now if we can just bring everyone up to loving themselves for who they are right now, the world will be a better place!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      Thank you! Isn’t it sad how many people (I can be included in this bunch) aren’t living life loving who they are? Life is too short…

  • http://www.theyearofthephoenix.blogspot.com/ Jill (Lady Lazarus)

    Ohhhhhhh I so understand what you mean about the disconnect. Totally and 100% completely understand. And I, too, have recently turned into a narcassistic fool because it’s finally sunk in and I can see ME!

    You look absolutely gorgeous! I am in love with that dress and the fake mustache photo cracks me up.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      SO GLAD you can see YOU! And thank you for the kind words. I’m particularly fond of the moustache.

  • http://www.sundijo.com Sundi Jo Graham

    That’s so awesome! It’s important that we see AND feel the beauty of our hard work. Congratulations.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thank you!

  • Locarbveghead

    Love especially your last two pictures. They show your genuineness and beauty!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thanks :)

  • http://www.myweightingplace.blogspot.com/ Kari

    Ooooohhhh I love the one with the green background. Beautiful!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thank you – one of my favorites!

  • Niki Bass

    Love the dress!!! You look great!!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thank you! The dress is so fun.

  • Sarah

    You should feel pretty, you look amazing! I completely understand the disconnect you are talking about, and extra kudos to you for breaking out of your typical view of yourself. I recently changed my own shape, and learning to SEE myself differently has honestly been the hardest part. Yesterday, in fact, I saw my reflection in a window and was completely taken back. I didn’t recognize myself and it was surprising, in a good way.
    Also, your calves are rocking! You should walk around kicking those legs up every chance you get ;)

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      Sarah, that makes me so happy to hear you saw your reflection and was surprised in a good way. Amazing feeling – warm fuzzies! Thank you xo

  • http://twitter.com/MollyMFNitka Molly Nitka

    You are beautiful emily!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      Thank you – so are you!!

  • KCLAnderson (Karen)

    This post makes me grin from ear to ear…you deserve to feel pretty and you deserve to say so. You are a beautiful, graceful, and ladylike woman!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      my husband might disagree with the ladylike, but I love it! LOL. Thank you xo

  • Bella Capri

    You’re BEAUTIFUL, so I’m glad you’ve been feeling good about yourself these past few days. I loved this post!!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thank you so much xo

  • carrie @ gingerlemongirl.com

    YOU are gorgeous and I’m so glad to see you loving you and accepting you… that is a gift and blessing not only to you, but to everyone who reads these posts! We all need acceptance and love and twirls right where we are. thank you for always blessing me with your posts!!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thank you so much, Carrie!

  • http://FitViews.com/ Kerri Olkjer

    I’ve met you in person…you SHOULD feel pretty, because you are. :) Glad you’re feeling it though.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      xoxo

  • Stacy

    I can SO relate! When I look in the mirror I don’t see as many flaws as I do in photos. In fact, I often feel that I do look pretty when I look in the mirror…but photos are a whole different story. Sometimes I will notice a woman who I think is approx my size go by a mirror or window and I look at my reflection at the same time to see if we’re close in size or not because I have such a hard time judging what size I realy am. You are beautiful and I’m happy to hear your feeling it too!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      the comparisons are the worst :( But thank you for the compliment. I’ll enjoy this feeling for as long as I can!

  • LHA

    Emmie, to you and all of the people reading and posting…….take it from me. I am older by far than you are, Emmie, and I am thrilled for you that you are feeling beautiful at your age. I have wasted so many years feeling bad about myself (some of that time I weighed 120!) and criticizing my looks, weight, hair, everything. We should all celebrate ourselves, and that means our RIGHT NOW selves, even if we are still a work in progress. You ARE beautiful, and I am glad you recognize it. Keep on feeling that way because in my experience it leads to more healthy living and certainly happier everyday life. You rock!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thank you, thank you, thank you :)

  • http://twitter.com/debslosingit Debra Wilson

    I love this post and I love the photo of you in the jacket! Most of the time I don’t feel all that pretty, and those are the days I see photos of myself and I cringe. But some days I look at myself and I feel beautiful. Perfect. Those days feel so amazing, even if they only last a night. Rock on with your bad self!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      I have those “gross” days all too often. The pretty days are amazing, so enjoying them as long as we can is key!

  • http://hypnosis-sydney.com.au/weight-loss-hypnosis.html Hypnotherapy for Weight Loss

    You are pretty! :P

  • http://twitter.com/Mrs_Jat Jess

    You saying that it was a narcissistic post is ridiculous. There is nothing wrong with feeling pretty. Every woman should feel pretty every day. Sometimes it’s the little things. That’s the beauty of style, you change it up and you feel like a new and better person. Keep rocking it girlfriend!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thank you. I find that I filter myself a lot because I worry about being narcissistic. There’s nothing wrong with being confident and happy with who you are though, and that is what I need to remember!

  • http://twitter.com/#!/pattyaizaga Patty

    You look absolutely beautiful in each picture & yes lady I see those nice calves!!! :)

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