March 28, 2022
From spending nothing to spending thousands of dollars, there’s something in this for every woman looking to love the skin she is in!
I did recently and it brought about quite the revelation. When I was in my 30’s, I was self-conscious about my post-baby body, I thought I looked tired even on my best days, and I longed for those days before life had taken its toll on my physique. The day that 10-year old memory popped up, I looked back at myself from 10 years prior and thought almost the exact same thing I did in my 30’s. What I wouldn’t give to look a little tired, but young and unwrinkled! Then the “older and wiser” version of myself reminded me that this wonderful body I live in has gotten me through some major life changes, and it deserves to be celebrated – not criticized! However, that’s easier said than done for most of us. For many of us, our 40’s and beyond are a time of great change in our bodies and this is exactly why it’s the perfect time to rewrite the narrative around our bodies and self-worth. So, how exactly do you celebrate the body you live in when society’s standards have given us far too many reasons to critique? I have a few answers that I’m happy to share!
There is an increasing amount of evidence suggesting that a certain amount of quality time alone is critical to well-being. Some things, this research suggests, are just better off being done by yourself without the distractions, opinions, or influences of other people. Time alone may be rare, but even short amounts of time alone can go a long way toward filling our tank. By the time we’ve reached our 40’s, if we have children, they have generally grown to the point of being able to take care of themselves – at least for short periods of time. Take that time to revel in some peace and quiet! Allow yourself to reflect on all the things your body has been through. Childbirth, stressful careers, health issues, the list goes on. Did that fabulous body get you through? Yes, it most decidedly did. Continue to reflect on the fact that all of those changes to your body have made you who you are today. You are stronger, wiser, and better equipped to handle whatever life throws your way. An additional perk to that time alone is avoiding the many influences that tell you that because your body isn’t “model perfect” (I would beg to differ!), it isn’t worthy of appreciation. You might even consider thanking your body for the many life events it has gotten you through. Appreciating that amazing body, in whatever shape or form it is now, can go a long way towards helping you feel better about yourself.
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when you’re feeling down about yourself. Consider picking an activity, sport, or craft that you truly enjoy doing with family or friends. “Chances are that if you love doing it, then you’re also pretty good at it,” says Jamie Katoff, LMT, a San Francisco-based marriage therapist. “When we’re doing something we enjoy—and doing it well—we go into a state called ‘flow,’ which improves feelings of confidence and overall happiness. Learning how to be in that state more regularly will lead to greater feelings of self-love and self-esteem.” Wow, so I can do something I love and feel better about myself in the process? You bet! Even if that means a simple dinner with a good friend and a good glass of wine. Once you add in the benefit of being with your people, the ones who adore you exactly as you are, and you have a truly winning combination! Our friends and family can have a profound impact on how we feel about ourselves.
If you’ve ever gone shopping when you’re feeling sad or stressed, you may recall how your mood improved when you window-shopped or bought something. I’m not trying to get anyone in trouble here, but there is something to be said for that feeling. Does retail therapy really make you feel better? Experts say that the act of making choices when shopping can restore your feeling of control over your life. A study found that buying things you enjoy can be up to 40 times more effective at giving you a sense of control in your life compared to not shopping. There is nothing quite like finding that perfect outfit that really makes you feel like you’ve got it all going on. It provides a fantastic boost of self-confidence. For me personally, give me an awesome pair of shoes and suddenly I feel like the rest of me is just as fabulous! Anticipating the possibility of a treat or reward releases a hormone called dopamine in your brain. This causes you to feel good! Take advantage of that good feeling and allow it to saturate how you think about yourself. You wouldn’t look fantastic in that outfit if you weren’t fantastic to begin with!
When it comes to feeling happier and empowered in life, having confidence is key. However, it isn’t as if we can simply feel more confident just because someone tells us it would benefit us. Starting a new hobby or fitness plan helps to stir not only our creative juices, but it actually has a physical benefit for our brains! Hobbies and exercise are about setting and achieving goals. The success of creating an exercise routine or a new hobby and sticking to it brings you a sense of achievement. When you achieve your exercise goals, you have more emotional stamina to take on your personal goals until you feel like there’s nothing you can’t do! Add to that the fact exercise makes you smarter and you have a truly winning combination. When you do aerobic exercise, you feed your brain with valuable nutrients and oxygen, improving cognitive function. After exercise, you tend to feel more focused, alert and able to complete the tasks of the day more efficiently, thus improving your self-esteem. Even a simple walk around the block on a regular basis will get those endorphins flowing, boosting your mood and your confidence! Starting something new, a fitness plan or hobby, also allows you to invest yourself into something that reaps rewards. When you see the outcome of whatever you’ve started, it’s next to impossible to not want to reach around and pat yourself on the back.
There’s nothing quite like a makeover to make you feel amazed with yourself. It’s technically just a little buff and polish to an already amazing canvas, but it so often helps us to see the person we truly are and all that we can be. To begin with, being pampered with a makeover is an utter luxury that I think every woman deserves to experience at least once. Sitting back while someone else does all the work can make you feel like a queen before you’ve even seen the results. When the results are revealed, you’ll be amazed that it’s really you! We often have a tendency to see ourselves as one-dimensional, always the same, but in reality we’re all capable of being that gorgeous human being you see in the mirror – because it’s still you. Take your gorgeous self one step further and book a photoshoot for right after your makeover. Not only will you have all that beautiful memorialized for all time, but working with a truly great photographer will have you leaving the building convinced you’re a goddess. They have the ability to uplift and encourage in ways many professions do not. When you combine those two experiences together, you’ll likely find yourself floating on air for weeks to come.
Considering a hybrid of retail therapy and photo shoot experience? Look no further than a boudoir session with Nivia Hanson Portraits…Schedule a Call Consult and receive $100 studio credit instantly!
Ready to chat? You can schedule a free consultation for your boudoir shoot with Nivia Hanson Portraits right now. If you’re interested, you can also join our Boudoir photography Facebook community completely free today to share photos and chat with others about their experiences wit Boudoir at our studio. We look forward to chatting with you and boosting your confidence with a day you’re sure to remember for a long time!
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