articles

What Do You See When You Look at Yourself?

By Heather Traves April 3, 2015
When you look at yourself in the mirror or in pictures or videos, what do you notice first? Do you pick out your perceived flaws? Or do you notice the good stuff first?

Okay, so the reason I'm asking this is because I suspect that almost all of you immediately pick yourselves apart when you look at your reflection or image – I know I do. I just recorded a quick cardio clip for Instagram. It’s sitting on my iPad, untouched and unpublished. Why? Because all I can see is cellulite (through my spandex!!) and jiggles everywhere. I'm looking at those things because I’m in the process of battling my own gremlins and I certainly have my share of hang ups (Just ask my husband! He'll verify my level of crazy!). I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't hate my body for one reason or another. Even in the best shape I've ever been in, I would look and criticize my “imperfections”. I don't know who else saw them, or if they were even there, and honestly, it doesn't really matter anyway!
   
Here’s the thing about all of this. I’m not perfect, and neither is anyone else. We are all flawed, but that doesn't make us unworthy or inferior to anyone else. When I look in the mirror I see my perceived flaws and rip myself apart for them. But I never look at others in that light. I never look at someone and judge them like I do myself, and I suspect that most of you don't either. So why are we so hard on ourselves? I wish I had easy answers for that question! But I don’t.

All I can tell you is that I am done being my own worst enemy. I am done with the self-criticism and judgment and hate. One thing I do know is that God loves me unconditionally, and so does my husband, my kids, and my family. I guess it’s time for me to follow suit and love myself as much as I know they do. It will take time and effort to learn to love what I see in the mirror, but one day I know I will. Until then, I will be bold and put myself out there as I am here and now - not as I wish I could be. I hope all of you will commit to stop putting yourselves down and to start building yourselves up with me by learning to love who you are, how you are!

So right now, it looks like I have an Instagram video to post.