Confidence And Why You Should Love Yourself?

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I really need to practice what I preach reading that title. I am not at all qualified to write about body confidence. And that is exactly why I am writing it.

You see I have started to write a few style posts. I have always posted pics of me on my blog in family situations, and felt more than comfortable with that. Mainly because I am not the topic, who’s looking at me right? But posting photos showcasing someone’s clothes feels different; it makes me feel bare and exposed. So why am I doing it you ask? Because I want too, I love clothes and fashion. I have a lot to learn still adapting to being a 40+ woman who loves fashion. I don’t always get it right, and sometimes I look back on photos and cringe. Wonder what on earth was I thinking.

I am a mega confident person in nearly all areas of life. But I worry about the haters, those mean girls. We all have at least one lurking in the background don’t we? The one that deleting would be making too much of a statement, so she sits there judging. 99.9 of people on my feed are lovely, so supportive. I may not even know the hater. She may be beautiful, she may not, and she could be a he? They won’t say anything, but they will judge. “Who does she think she is” “She does know she’s no model” And the answer to that is no I am not, I am a normal average woman.

If you want to see me create my projects, follow me on Tik Tok and Instagram.

Confidence And Being Me

Confidence And Being Me

I posted 2 posts last week, posts of me showcasing clothes. I can’t use the term modeling, cringe. Because clearly I am no model. As I pressed post I wanted to weep! I am not even exaggerating. I was worried about what people would think. This is so silly because clearly the brands were happy to work with me, they want to embrace that we aren’t all the same. That 40+ women have spending power and spend a LOT of fashion and clothes. It’s a shift that has been happening for some while now. And good on those brands.

Then something wonderful happened. 

The lovely Helena  messaged me with a kind message of support and solidarity. Then my gorgeous friends Louise said the same. Shortly after that Jess messaged me, she has become a good friend and had guessed something was up. We chatted about how I have been feeling and she got it totally.

I remembered something my beautiful cousin Lisa once said to me. ” What people think of you is their business, and their problem. Not yours” 

Yes, that is so true. As women and men too, we have a responsibility to our children to be proud of ourselves. To love ourselves and feel confident, to support others that dare to do the same. We need to set that example. We are all different shapes, sizes, ages and colours. But we are all beautiful. We all have a different kind of beauty.

I am never going to judge a beautiful thin seemingly perfect woman, because she too will have hang-ups. One thing I have discovered is there are not many people out there who haven’t got confidence issues in some way.

But what we can do is show a little solidarity, support each other and be proud of each other. To me that is the measure of a person. And the type of person I want in my life. It’s not about living in a perfect world. It’s about learning to accept others, not judging and being that person, to show your support rather than contempt.

We all wear clothes, and I want to see those clothes on all shapes, sizes, ages and colours of beautiful people.

And with some of the brands, press and bloggers embracing this, it is becoming the norm. That is exactly how I know that an item of clothing will look good on me. That my friends is why I am going to be brave and keep sharing. And support others that do the same, whether its style post, an achievement on Facebook a recipe you are proud of go for it be proud. And remember that my cousin Lisa said.

Confidence And Being Me

Confidence And Why You Should Love Yourself? And Regatta Cosmia Cream Quilted Jacket

Confidence And Being Me

So as I stood on top of a hill on Sunday, Chris taking my photos in my ever so lovely Regatta Cosmia Quilted Jacket, I felt proud. Unlike last week when I was so embarrassed.  I watched Joe running and jumping in mud, with a confidence a vigour, and not a care in the world . We all need to adopt that approach. We need to be more like our younger generation, we could learn a lot from them if we just watch and listen.

Confidence And Being Me

Confidence And Being Me

Confidence And Being Me

 

265 thoughts on “Confidence And Why You Should Love Yourself?”

  1. I couldn’t agree more and I need to practice this a lot more too. It’s hard seeing myself in so many photos when I never had in the past, particularly as I’m getting older but we should embrace who we are. You, my dear, are wonderful xx

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  2. Sarah, you’re amazing and I can’t believe you doubt yourself. But then I can sympathise too as I find having my photo take completely and utterly horrendous. It’s an ordeal. I think we have a tendency to pick ourselves apart when other people just look at the photo as a whole and think ‘nice’. I used to have a real problem with looking incredibly toothy in photos but then I realised, most of the time, it’s because I’m laughing … which really is no bad thing. Thank you for posting this, though. It really made me think x

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    • Rachel thank you so much this is lovely and yes I agree we see what others dont. You always look fab in pictures always super stylish and cool x

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  3. Sarah, you are beautiful inside and out, and should not feel embarrassed or doubt yourself. Your photos are always beautiful, sharp and nicely framed, and most importantly meaningful – telling a story. I can totally resonate with your post though. I grew up in a society where everyone pokes their nose into your family business so the words “what will others say” has been engraved onto my brain from childhood. Even though, after years of self-training, I did my best to silence that voice as much as I can, it is still there and impacts everything I do, especially on my blog. For example, I am not a native English speaker, so every time I publish a blog I catch myself cringing. Every single time I am afraid what others reading my posts will think about them, that I will be mocked and criticized for my grammar mistakes by those mean girls and boys. But you know what? At the end of the day, at least I make an effort, and despite my shortcomings I still do what I love AND work on my mistakes to improve in the future. I also noticed that when I have voiced my concerns and insecurities about my appearance, my friends have been surprised and keep saying they viewed me as completely opposite, i.e. confident, beautiful, etc.. So often our perception of ourselves differs from how people see us. We are our own worst critics. Anyway, please continue doing what your are doing (forgive me for the spammy cliché sentence), there are tons of people who admire and aspire you in more ways than one.

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    • Nano thanks so much lovely lady this is such a lovely kind comment, we are alike I think as every one thinks I am super confident. And in most things I am, but I have had a good talk to myself and will not worry about this anymore. And BTW your English is bloomin amazing x

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  4. So many people struggle with confidence in certain areas of their lives and it is a shame that for many of us it can take so many years to start to get over it. It’s something I’ve only just started to do – to face my fears and do it anyway as they say. I’m sure your post will resonate with so many people as it has done for me. You look amazing!!! we are all role models to someone so it is so important for us to remember that. xxx

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  5. Looks are very important for us. But we cant solely judge our worth on looks. There are so many other aspects also. We should always strive to get better in those areas. I am somewhat pretty but after few decades under my belt I realized that my looks are not of my own creation. I had no hand in it so why should I be super proud of it and consider myself superior. I am rather proud of things that I have achieved on my own, like my career and family.

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    • No I totally agree my point is I am a very confident person, confident in all other areas of my life, having had a successful career and lovely family. So its time to bridge the gaps and address the areas I am not. And I really don’t think looks make anyone superior at all, but everybody should feel confident in themselves no matter how they look, and we as women should support others in that. Its about feeling good, I know people that are quite pretty but their personality ruins this totally making them quite unattractive as a person. Its about being warm, kind, confident and positive, that is what reflects beauty x

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  6. I enjoy walking over on the Isle of Arran, where our family holiday home is. We often stumble across wild ponies, deer and birds of prey in the valleys and woods!

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  7. I hate having my photo taken, to the extent of diving in ditches to avoid it! Silly really when i am a pretty confident person. As for favourite walks we are spoilt in Norfolk, there’s the coast, the broads and woodland walks but the walks around the University of East Anglia take some beating.

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  8. we have acres of meadows on our doorstep, I take the doggies over for a long walk several times a day, I love it there, so vast and peaceful.

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  9. We live now in Snowdonia , so we are surrounded by walks and beautiful lakes and mountains ,its hard to choose , but around the lakes is stunning , even this time of year the mountains are beautiful with snow covered tops x

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  10. Luckily, we can walk 1.5 miles to a local shop through a small wood, in one direction, and a 2 mile walk through another small wood to the local garden centre in the other direction from our house!
    Both are really lovely walks!

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  11. What a lovely post, so well written and I really needed that today. 🙂 x
    I have some beautiful walking areas around where I live because I’m out in the sticks. I just have to step outside my front door and there’s fields, woods and footpaths aplenty. The occasional crazed pheasant too hehe.

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  12. Thats a great blog post and inspiration to get out and about in our beautiful countryside. My favourite walk is the cliff walk between Beer and Seaton in East Devon. I spent many happy holidays here as a child with my Grandparents. Took my own children last summer and did the cliff walk. Brought back so many wonderful nostalgic memories.

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  13. Our favourite walks are along the Cornish coastal paths and down on the beaches, especially in the quieter seasons when we can sometimes be lucky enough to have a beach to ourselves.

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  14. I am a member Berkshire of Bolton HF Walking club and my wife and Ilove to go on thearth organised walks around Rivington and Belmont

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  15. Our local country park is fortunately within walking distance so it is a pleasure to be able to walk there regularly. It is beautiful and full of deer and stags – wonderful in all weathers.

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  16. im lucky enough to live near delamere forest which is so lovely to walk around theres so many paths to take so it feel different and interesting everytime xx

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  17. There are some beautiful hills about 40 minutes from our house. You feel you are the only ones around for miles and miles. Beautiful at all times of the year.

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  18. My favourite walk is the Ventnor Downs and Bonchurch on the Isle of Wight, the views are breathtaking, you can see for miles and it is so relaxing.

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  19. Before I became disabled, my most favourite place to walk was Pin Mill in Suffolk. It’s such a beautiful place to walk – woodland by the River and the most quaintest looking houseboats ever! Ahhh I miss those walks! ????

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  20. we have a place called coombe abbey near us, and its lovely for a walk, whatever the weather, but the parking can be quite expensive.

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  21. I like to walk down by the river, especially in the Summer. I try to avoid places where there are a lot of cyclists that whizz past and shock the life out of you as hardly anyone uses their bells anymore?

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  22. My favourite place to go for a walk is Dumfries House estate in Ayrshire. It has lots of lovely walks with a maze for my grandchildren to lose themselves in!, and a Chinese bridge, interactive play areas and a lovely tea room with the best cakes and coffee ever xx

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  23. Snowdonia – North wales. we go there few times a year as my mother in law lives there. such an amazing, stunning place! we love it there xx

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  24. Your jacket looks lovely, the white really suits you. I love going on walks and my favourite ever place to walk is in the Scottish highlands. Thanks for this lovely giveaway.

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  25. We like going to Kew Gardens. It houses the largest and most diverse botanical collections in the world and is a World Heritage Site. I have a membership so we go often.

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  26. We have a lovely country park just up the road called Pembrey. As well as lovely woodlands there is an eight mile b,ie flag beach called Cefn Sidan that is beautiful and unspoilt with lots of shells and driftwood. It is so easy to walk off the cares of the world.

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  27. When my nan was alive she always took me to our local woods which is where I now take my children, we love looking at the bluebells and pretend we are looking for jungle animals as well, it’s such great fun

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  28. A place called Bradgate Park in Leicestershire. A great walk with wild deer, ducks & running streams. It’s beautiful no matter what the weather!

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  29. We love going to Earlswood lakes and forest not far from where we live. We know from last time getting lost for three hours to take supplies with us now though lol.

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  30. My favourite place for a country walk is over at Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington, you can’t beat walking along a coast sharing the space with 70,000 gannets and puffins 🙂

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  31. My favourite country was that I love is the public footpath that takes me over the racecourse, down the lanes, over fields and to a woods 🙂 it’s gorgeous and so diverse – the dogs love it!

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  32. I love to walk around Chorlton Nature Reserve which is just a shote walk from my house. Its a little bit of tranquillity in the heart of Manchester city centre. Fab giveaway. Would love to be your lucky winner. Fingers crossed x

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  33. I live on the Cornish coast so love walking the local coastal path to our neighbouring village and stopping off now and again for a dip in the sea

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  34. There is a fantastic place not to far from us called Tandle Hill Country Park, it is great for walks and super for letting the children run riot 😉

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  35. I love walking in the Country Park – it is just round the corner from where we live so we can go daily in summer/ There’s always something interesting to see.

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  36. The North Yorkshire moors is my favourite place. Beautiful scenery and lots of quaint little villages with nice country pubs to stop at.

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  37. Locally we walk around Jumbles reservoir, but we love going on holiday to the West Coast of Scotland and walking around unspoilt countryside there

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  38. I think we all need to take that advice. We are our own worst critics!
    My favourite place to take the little one for a walk is Cannock Chase.

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  39. I love Fenland walks as there is such beauty in their stark openness and light. Never let anyone get you down, life is too precious to be burdened by the sourness of others x

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  40. I enjoy walking around Styal woods and we can always visit the Styal Mill National Trust when we’ve finished our walk for a cup of tea and maybe a slice of cake!

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  41. I love beach walks the best, but seeing as we don’t live near the sea the next best thing is the English countryside, so lucky to be living near the Peak District with so many wonderful walks.

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  42. We live near a tiny Parish village called Ufton. They have a beautiful and quiet nature reserve to walk round. It’s beautiful. Thanks for the chance.

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  43. Locally, I walk up to the canal and watch the boats going through the locks – there are a lot of locks on this stretch! Further afield, I love the Lake District or the Malvern Hills. And I hate having my photo taken too, although I will try to follow your example and just be proud to be myself.

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  44. Firstly…I know exactly how you feel! I am all about self confidence and not caring about what other people think…I am a larger girl and I’m very funny and very outgoing and probably to a lot of people, I portray myself as all of the above. BUT….I refuse to have my picture taken, or have mirrors in my bedroom. I hate that I am so worried deep down about what others think. I wish I could practice what I preach! Maybe one day! As for our walks….there is a beautiful forest not far from where I live and it is so so relaxing going for a stroll there with my son! He gets to
    Splash in the puddles and we collect comes and all sorts! It’s just a beautiful place xoxo

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  45. I’m verry lucky to live in the new forest , a syones throw from enchanting forests and beautiful beaches.
    My favourite part off the forest is where I take my kids and the dog to a place called wilverly enclosure.

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  46. I love walking the Offas Dyke path which starts just down from my house – love the beautiful Forest of Dean – the beauty of the Severn Estuary and River Wye

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  47. We live in Salisbury so there are so many lovely places to go walking, I like any where with a river or stream and hilltop views.

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  48. in the countryside with farm animals grazing in the fields so we can feed the local donkeys ponies goats etc hours of fun + virtually free as it only costs a few carrots + apples!

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  49. I have not been for a country walk for several years due to ill health. We moved house last year to the North West, an area I don’t know at all, so I’m hoping if I feel better this year I can start to explore near our new home.

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  50. Nothing fancy just our local woods, but then again we are lucky enough to be a stones throw away from beautiful scenery all the time here 🙂

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  51. I live on the doorstep of a huge nature reserve so I love to walk through different parts of that with my husband and our children.

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  52. We have a little river quite near us that has a beautiful walk alongside. It always destresses me and makes me feel alive when I walk along there.

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