About once a month when I look in the bathroom mirror I see an old enemy.
Or at least I think I see an old enemy.
The time is usually around 5-6pm, just as the last of the afternoon sun is streaming in through the window, and I see along my top lip a certain manly shadow that is not usually visible in the general light of day.
That’s correct, I see a moustache.
So I do what any self-respecting, vanity driven, 25-year-old does. I seek to destroy.
I locate the tweezers and then, for several frenzied minutes, I attack that forsaken moustache.
Then, as suddenly as the enemy appeared, the light changes as the sun goes down behind the mountains and I see that I was somewhat mistaken in that, although I do have hair on my upper lip, it is actually very fine and pale and, I do not have a manly moustache at all.
Looking for my manly moustache.
This is just one example of the way that I can overreact to the parts of my body that I am, for whatever reason, not happy with. Stretch marks, bruises, sun damage, weak fingernails, wobbly bits, things that used to be nicer before pregnancy/birth/children ravaged me.
I’m human, right?
Though the thing is that I actually really love the way that I look.
I’ve learnt to appreciate the paleness of my skin, no longer do I lie in the sun willing it to be tan. Tan is just something I won’t ever be. I’m happy with that these days.
I used to wish I had blue eyes, then I tried some blue contacts and realised that brown was so much more my colour.
Straight brown hair was, once upon a time, something that I prayed would change. But now I love it.
With, some, maturity and lots of life experience I have gained wrinkles and stretch marks, but thankfully the stretch marks fade and the wrinkles simply go to prove that I have lived.
This body hasn’t been designed to last forever, so while I have it I’m going to appreciate it and I don’t intend to sweat the small stuff.
“I feel pretty and witty and bright.”
Linking up with Kate Says Stuff for Thankful Thursday and We Heart Life for the I Heart My Body Campaign
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for sharing; I love that last line ‘I don’t intend to sweat the small stuff’
xx
Carly ~ We Heart Life Creator recently posted..I Heart My Body 2012
Thanks for having me Carly
The Surprise Beginning recently posted..Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves
Don’t sweat the small stuff – love that. Great post.
Thanks Jodi, some things just aren’t worth the worry!
The Surprise Beginning recently posted..Heartbreak Part 2
What a great perspective – moustache and all. Xx
Lyndal recently posted..the one where i think about how much i heart my body
Hehehehe, thanks!
The Surprise Beginning recently posted..Frocking Fabulous + #RRRGLM
What wrinkles? Perhaps they might be visible with a microscope. Sorry to sound like a Nana here (but I kind of old enough to be your mother), but when you’re my age your skin will thank for your decision not to tan.
Mumabulous recently posted..The Joys of Eavesdropping
Oh they’re there, they just have some deepening to do! Hahaha
The Surprise Beginning recently posted..The Right Way to Eat Frozen Yoghurt
Love the last line too. So very true. And cute pics!
Emma recently posted..I Heart My Body 2012
Thanks, I was trying to see my moustache – it was there only minutes earlier! Haha
The Surprise Beginning recently posted..I Heart My Body {even my moustache}
I’m not a tanner either, and I’m grateful for it now that I’m in my 40s.
I can feel something like a ‘tache every now and again, but thankfully it can’t be seen otherwise I might be puckering up to seek and destroy too
You’re absolutely right not to sweat the small stuff.
Jayne recently posted..I {heart} my body and am a bit of a tool.
hahahah Lauren moustache? I can’t see it either! But I get what you mean because I became paranoid once…looking in the mirror and then saw…a hint of …a moustache! I panicked, ran out of the bathroom and asked some of the girls (I was at an event how embarrassing!) if they could see it too. They looked at me …puzzled. Thinking I had gone nuts. But…I see it there…on that odd occasion.
Norlin recently posted..I Heart My Body Day 2012
Mo or not, you look HAWT x
Overreact? Us women wouldn’t do that, would we?
You are absolutely beautiful – glad you’ve realised you don’t need to change a thing!
Tam recently posted..I love my body
Fabulous!
You are truly beautiful, inside and out (moustache, or no moustache)
Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky recently posted..I Heart My Body
Whenever I get my eyebrows waxed the lady asks me if I’d like my top lip done too.. Hurumph!
Dont sweat the small stuff is a great philosophy, gorgous lady x
Catherine Rodie Blagg recently posted..I heart my body
“… and it’s all small stuff”. Love it