When you Look In The Mirror, What Do You See?

Last week during one of my 56,464,645 times on Facebook, I came across a post that stuck out to me. While this post was related to Pregnancy, it made me think everyone can relate to the meaning in some way

In this world we live in it's rare to find someone that looks in the mirror and is completely satisfied with the body or image they see. In fact, some are completely disgusted and outraged with the way they look or feel in their body. Isn't it true we all have at least one thing we would change? To be taller or to be thinner. Maybe even to not have stretch marks or remove a random birth mark you have.

(To live a life without Snapchat filters seems as if it would be impossible. Totally team floating hearts and fire. LOL. If anything, filters have become the dating world's biggest tease. If anyone sees someone with those rad shades and disco music, please post a PSA!)

It all boils down to the rarity of someone being genuinely confident in what they see.

Since giving birth, I personally have struggled with the view I see in the mirror. Body image issues were never a thing for me until after a deployed husband, a rough pregnancy, horrible C-Section, and losing a child. The aftermath of it all has really caught up with me. Many people have asked me why but I struggle to defend myself any more. What I see is something they don't and they shouldn't, it's my body. Why do I need to even defend myself? We all have our own perceptions and honestly, the image you portray could ultimately define us. Why wouldn't we want to tackle our imperfections and be the best version of ourselves in our own eyes? Why is that so hard? What's crazy to me is that looking the mirror rarely shows us how strong or inspirational we may be because we are too busy judging ourselves negatively. Could it be that we don't truly see the PERSON standing there? Have you ever looked in the mirror and said, "I look great!" or "I changed someone's life today". I can guarantee most of you have changed someone's life in a way or looked amazing on date night and never told yourself yet; you were quick to point out something that was out of place.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not sitting here saying that I personally do none of these. HA! I do. DAILY. Trust me.

In the quote I referenced earlier, the phrase "I need reminded that you think I'm beautiful" is something I am guilty of. On my post, my amazing Mother made a comment about loving myself and seeing my beauty through my own eyes is what truly is important. Let me tell you, the woman is wise. She nailed it. I NEED to remind MYSELF I am BEAUTIFUL. That doesn't mean we don't need to be told by others for satisfaction, because I do think that is a thing. We rely on it so much from others that I think we forget to tell ourselves.

While going through the toughest moments of Gray's life, so many people told me I was so strong or that I was the strongest person they had ever met. Initially, I was like Shit they don't know very many strong people if I am the strongest. I didn't know anything different. I played the hand I was dealt and never complained. What I went though was exhausting, traumatic, sad, and without true strength I wouldn't have been able to overcome. One night in Gray's room, one of his nurses told me how strong I was and I didn't believe her. It wasn't until she laid everything on the table that we had been through and she ended with, "Jessica, you are a badass!". I laughed. Look at me, badass is NOT what people think of when they see me. That night I went up to my hotel room and rather than picking myself apart in the mirror (as I do every night while washing my face GUILTY), I looked in the mirror and I said "I am a BADASS".

I challenge you to look in the mirror. No make up. No duck face. No filter. View the rawest version of yourself that you can. Now, after reading this post, I hope you see more of yourself than you did before. I hope you see your strength, your passion, your inspiration. I hope you see how truly B E A U T I F U L you are in every single way as you DESERVE to see that.

Love Always,

Jessica

Ps. Please follow me on Instagram and Twitter!

@TheMrsRussell.xo (Insta)

@TheMrsRussell.x (Twitter)