The pictures in this post go back to almost a year ago. They were taken in May of last year and when I uploaded them to my computer, I took one look and said, ew. So, needless to say, they never made it to the blog.
A few weeks ago when I was browsing my picture library, I came across them and wondered, why didn’t I use these? I remember at the time thinking I looked fat and ugly. That’s right, fat and ugly were the words I used to describe myself at the time. Maybe its the near 30lb weight gain from pregnancy, a different hair color and pasty white winter skin, but looking at these pictures now, I see a totally different person. Not a ‘fat and ugly’ person, but a sun-kissed girl with pretty long hair.
So, I got to thinking. I know I can’t be alone in self shaming. As much as I try not to think of my appearance negatively or nit pick little details, I do. It’s shameful really, we are all so uniquely beautiful and the tiny little things we think are less than desirable about ourselves, are typically nonexistent to the outside viewer. When Erica and I take pictures, we often browse through the camera and we will both name off things we don’t like about the pictures. The things that Erica mentions that she doesn’t like about herself, I would have never ever picked up on. I don’t see those negative things about her at all, the same way I’m sure my negatives, she doesn’t see either. The real issue here, is instead of going through the pictures naming off what we don’t like, we should be naming off what we do like.
I’m going to challenge myself to be more positive. I hope if you’re anything like me, you’ll do the same thing too. We all deserve to feel fabulous inside and out, chances are the people around you already think you’re pretty fabulous.
-Brooke
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You look great in these photos! You certainly didn’t have to worry about posting them 🙂
I agree though that sometimes we can be so critical of ourselves – something we could all do with working on now and then 🙂
thank you for the link up.
Away From The Blue
You are far from FAT or UGLY in these pics! The striped dress is stunning, as are those cute bow heels! However, I can totally relate sometimes when your mind tells you something it’s hard to shake..no matter great others may tell us we look..if we aren’t feeling it, the words mean nothing. We all have our days we feel less than..hopefully it’s not the only message we give ourselves and we can balance it with more positive messages!
http://www.dressed2dnines.com
I think you look so adorable in these pictures and I absolutely love that dress. You are absolutely right when it comes to being self critical. There are things that we all would like to change about ourselves, but to me that’s just what makes us different and unique. Beautiful post and very well written too.
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I loved reading this post! You are right, we need to start naming off the things we do like about ourselves instead of what we don’t like! Being positive will make you feel more confident and being confident will make you feel more beautiful! I love your striped dress and those cute bow sandals!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Judging by the comments you’ve left me on my blog in the past you’re not only a beautiful person on the outside but the inside as well. I’m sure a lot of people can relate to this post. I know I can. I have so many pictures that I haven’t used for the same reason. I personally love these pictures and glad you chose to upload them! I think you look beautiful.
http://www.jerseygirltexanheart.com
You are always a beautiful and positive person to me. You are far from fat and ugly. that is by far the best dress from you have worn. I also loveeeee the shoes and bag. I love the dress though – the stripes, fit, style, pockets. Everything about it is right up my alley.
Happy Wednesday Gorgeous!
It’s amazing how we pick at ourselves for things no one else sees. It’s nice to have some else around for perspective. You look gorgeous in these photos!
Amy Ann
The Real Arnolds
Great post! You look gorgeous! Love that dress
http://www.girlandthepolkadot.com/
You look GORGEOUS! I love this spring outfit. That striped dress is adorable! I think we have to be careful about being too hard on ourselves. I have certainly been guilty of deleting draft posts because I hate the way I look!
Great post! We can all certainly relate to it!
You look great and we do really need to always look at our strengths more than our flaws – more power!
Best!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Awww, you are GORGEOUS here, babe! Good for you for taking a positive approach- even if it took a little time. Sometimes time is what we need, and we all feel this way at one point or another- so good of you to share your story so we can relate!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
You look so naturally beautiful in these pictures, Brooke. But you are right, we are definitely overly critical about our own looks. I, too, have pictures that I thought I looked hideous in and when I go back and look at them, I think, it’s not so bad. Hopefully we can all learn to focus on the positive. Thanks for sharing this! ~Cynthia
Lol! You are not the only one. I am often upset when we are shooting photos. Why I am so fat and ugly? I used a few of old pictures too recently and wondered why I hated them the first time. I guess we need to really love ourselves more. Thank you so much for hosting this link up!
Grace
http://colorandgrace.com/
Loved reading this so much–your perspective is awesome!! Isn’t it crazy how we tend to be our own worst critics and talk down to ourselves?! No good–we should be picking out the good just like you said!! I look at these pictures and you look STUNNING!!
Tori
FashionBlingGirlyThings
That dress is so, so classic. You look darlingly chic. Love it. xx, Conni
You look great! And that is a very cute dress!
You have all made me feel so wonderful!!! I am so lucky to have such a supportive group of ladies following this blog, so glad I shared 🙂
That makes me so sad that you thought that about yourself but I know we all do it! Before I read your words I looked at the photos and thought you looked beautiful! So glad you decided o post this and talk about this issue we all deal with!
Lindsey
Thrift and Shout
I know what you are talking about – I have those pictures that never share too lol I think this look is amazing and you look amazing too! Love the dress, pumps, hair… You are perfect!
-Tatiana
We Shop in Heels
What do you mean fat and ugly?! I’m glad you came to your senses and used the pictures! 🙂 I think we all are too critical of ourselves that we nitpick waaay too much! I always get a look from my husband when I say something like “omg look at my arm in that picture!” Little did I know, nobody but myself gives an f about how big my arm is. *monkey covering eyes emoji* 🙂
-Jan
janmloves.blogspot.com
Some days I look and the mirror and I think I look great and other days (more often then I’d like to admit) I think the opposite. You look beautiful here and I am glad you posted these photos and feel the same way. That dress looks great on you and I love your long hair!
We are definitely the hardest on ourselves and thanks for this positive message and reminder!! You look beautiful in these pics and that dress & shoes are perfection, love this look. Hope you are having a great week:)
Marta
http://www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com
You look GORGEOUS! The End. 🙂
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
I can totally relate to that! But you look absolutely gorgeous in these photos and that dress is fab!
xo Southern Style
I love this post and you look sooooooooooo gorgeous!!! I have the same archive of photos that I never posted because I didn’t like how I looked. Now when I go back and look at them again, I wonder what I was thinking. I guess that’s a good thing that we are learning to love and accept ourselves XO
#LINKUPWITHLISA @ http://www.beauty101bylisa.com/2015/03/linkupwithlisa-10-layered-peplum.html
Cute dress! I love anything with stripes. You did a superb job styling it!
-Katie
http://hellokatiegirl.blogspot.com/
You look absolutely gorgeous in these photos! It’s so funny how you can go back on a picture and see something you completely didn’t see before… and often times you were too negative on yourself to begin with. I absolutely loved this post! Positivity can be hard sometimes but it’s so much easier than pointing out every “flaw” we see and dwelling over it. Thanks for sharing your heart.
xoxo
http://brookiewords.blogspot.com/
You are gorgeous! Your hair and dress are lovely!
http://www.tusksandtails.com
that is such a beautiful dress!!! 😀 so flattering and chic!
Happy April!
Animated Confessions
Love how these photos were taken a year ago but the outfit is still in style! Those heels are adorable!
Tina
http://www.justatinabit.com
Stunning stripes! I host a link up every Wednesday (still live) so stop by if you get a chance 🙂
http://www.sydneyfashionhunter.com/
Such a beautiful striped dress! You styled it perfectly with this pop of red clutch!
xx
cvetybaby.com
Glad to come across your link up! Tomorrow (April 6th) I will spread the word in a blog post dedicated to friendly fashion blogger link ups 🙂 Hope you’ll stop by and say hi 🙂
Baci,
Coco et La vie en rose fashion blog – Valeria Arizzi
Cute outfit! I love your curls!!! <3
Looking forward to see more of your posts. Do you have an instagram account? Maybe we could follow each other. Let me know by leaving a comment on my blog or sending me a request. I'll follow back 🙂 Thanks!
IG: @shairangelique
Have a nice day!
xoxo,
SHAIRA
http://www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com
Yes! It’s a terrible habit, the self-shaming >.< Earlier I made my hubby crop a picture because my legs looked extra chubby in them :(:(
You look gorgeous in these pictures, where is the dress from??
Gina
Pink Wings
glad you posted the pictures! such a daring outfit! those bow heels are too cute!
kelseybang.com
You look great. I like the dress a lot. Thanks for linking up at Who’s Wearing What Wednesdays at Pastries, Pumps and Pi!
This outfit is stunning! I love the striped dress with the coral clutch. Beautiful colours together!
https://forsevenseasons.wordpress.com