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.Β 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 backgroundΒ 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 couldΒ 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.
I posted 2 posts last week, posts of me showcasing clothes. I canβt 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.Β
The lovely HelenaΒ Β 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”Β
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.Β 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. Itβs 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.
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. Β 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.
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
Ah thanks so much Karen and yes we should we are mad, and you are beautiful so should never feel like that x
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
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
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 clichΓ© sentence), there are tons of people who admire and aspire you in more ways than one.
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
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
Rebecca thanks so much thats lovely and yes you are so right, we are here to show that confidence and self belief matter x
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.
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
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!
our local park x 5 minutes walk from my house and its huge x
Anywhere in the lake district, especially Grasmere – such beautiful scenery and cafes! thanks
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.
The White Horse Hill in oxfordshire x love the views x
our local area in the outer hebrides
our local country park. my boys love it x
through the woods x
i love walking on the yorkshire moors very scenic and lots of little valleys
i love visiting the lake district
Across the quantock hills, with its wildlife, views of hills, forests and the coast. Fabulous.
I love walking on Dartmoor, near where I grew up!
Wortham ling.
Thetford Forest, its a wonderful place to walk
Love walking on a deserted beach in winter watching the waves crashing – perfect xx
I live in the hills of the Scottish Borders. Such a beautiful place to walk.
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.
The Lake District water and greenery soothing the soul!
The New Forest National Park
The Lake District, greenery and water soothing to soul. (Mistype email add on previous comment)
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
all around pell wall market drayton. lovely
South Coast cliffs, Guernsey (where I live)
Anywhere in the Peak District, its all so beautiful.
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!
What a lovely post, so well written and I really needed that today. π 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.
I love walking round Portland and along the river in Cambridge with my beloved dog
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.
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.
Love to go around Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms
Brecon Beacons
The New Forest
In the lanes around where I live in beautiful Pembrokeshire
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
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.
I enjoy walking on the beaches and woods in Yorkshire.
Along the Stratford-upon-Avon canal in Warwickshire.
The woods near my house. It’s very peaceful and serene. Xx
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
The Yorkshire Dales and Moors.
Kelston Roundhill near Bath is lovely for a walk
there is a beautiful area near us called dimmingsdale with woods, history , nature trails and ducks to feed of course x
The best country walks are where we regularly go on holiday. I love walking round Langdale.
Beautiful scenery.
We love going for a walk in Ironbridge in Shropshire xx
My favourite place to walk is the Highlands, just a hop and a skip from home π
By the seaside, as it seems to be relaxing.
we go to ingleton falls
I enjoy walking along the River Bollin close to our home – its wonderful to watch the seasons change
We live in Cheshire and love the Sandstone Trail
Findhorn Bay on the Moray Firth
Blickling Hall gardens in Norfolk π
Margam Park in Port Talbot
Pudsey Beck and Cockerdale
I love North wales around Snowdonia
Epsom Downs
Top of Longridge in the Ribble Valley called Jeffery Hill-brilliant scenery
Love to walk by the river near my home
My local park
I love to walk along beachs with my dog running in and ou of the sea. Im always happy at the seaside.
we love the peak districe around castleton xx
Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire, whatever the weather
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.
Favourite place to walk is Snowdonia
Snowdonia
Rising Sun Country Park, Benton (Newcastle upon Tyne)
My local river walk
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.
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! ????
I love going for walks along the beach, near our home in Southport x
Love to go to Blaise Castle in Bristol. Lots of things to do and see and loads of paths to take.
On the beach at Cocklawburn Northumberland
The Peak District
along the country lanes in bridgenorth so very pretty in summer months
Lake District, North Yorkshire or round where I live in the Shropshire Hills is very beautiful.
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.
the peak district thankyou
I love to go for a country walk along the beach in Swansea
Sherringham Park
Mottisfont
We like going to Rutland Waters π
Newlands Corner
My local Delamere Forest
The National Arboretum at Westonbirt in Gloucestershire
We love wandering around grizedale forest xx
We love elveston park ????
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?
I love the Yorkshire Dales
The peak district
I love walking in the Lake District x
I love going to Loch Lomond – it;s beautiful.
Thetford Forest.
Our local hills in Aberdeenshire, the bennachie range , Lovely walks especially up Mither Tap
I love to walk in my local nature reserve
Blaise Castle in Bristol.
New Forest because I love the ponies
I like to walk in the woods by us with my friend and her dog
Usually Lord Elgins estate i nFife
My family are from Dorset so my favourite place to visit is Godlingston Heath, Studland Beach
We like going to newbold comyn for our counry walks its muddy but lovely views all around
my local beach and woodland
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
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
Up in the hills near Buxton
The North Norfolk coastal path is a superb walk if you dressed up for the east wind.
We go walking in Iceland each year.
With my dog. Along the river in Yorkshire countryside.
I love going down to the woods to spot the wildlife.
Round Whitlingham Broad while my son does water sports on a summer day.
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.
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.
Margam Country Park, where we got married. Lovely memories and a lovely space for walking, open areas and forest
On the cliffs in Cornwall
Crook o’ Lune, Lancaster
We love Dalby forest
i like to walk in my local woods – very peaceful and beautiful
Tandle Hill – on our doorstep so can go any time!
the north yorkshire moors
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.
Love walking through the fields to Woolacombe beach
I am really lucky because I live in the country and behind my home there is a gorgeous woodland walk with the most stunning views
We live near a beautiful nature reserve and is lovely to walk through whatever the Season.Thanks for a wonderful competition x
Anywhere along the coast
There’s a beautiful little coastal walk in Pembrokeshire where we go on holiday. Un-touched natural beauty.
Around the discovery centre in Braintree! brilliant for long walks with the kids and the dogs π
Our local nature trail
There are some lovely country walks where I live in Rossendale, one of my favourite places is “Haslingden Reservoir”
I love going to walk in Delamere Forest in Cheshire
love T he Malverns for a refreshing walk,Blows the cobwebs away
North Yorkshire Moors & the Lake District
We love Exmoor
I used to love walking around the coastal areas of South West Scotland
Across the fields where I live, no houses no cars no people just fields and wildlife….perfect
Cotswolds for us!
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
A place called Bradgate Park in Leicestershire. A great walk with wild deer, ducks & running streams. It’s beautiful no matter what the weather!
i like walking anywhere! i do like it if there is an icecream place along the way!
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.
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 π
I love greenfield in Greater Manchester, I also adore the peak district if I want a day of adventure!
The Lake District is a beautiful place to walk
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 π it’s gorgeous and so diverse – the dogs love it!
Anywhere in Cornwall
Across freshly harvested fields against the backdrop of a setting sun. A quintessential day’s walk in the country π
I love the New Forest
I love walking around the Lake District – such a pretty place!
The Cleveland Way around Staithes is gorgeous to go for a country walk.
North Wales especially the beaches.
My favourite has to be walking in the lake distract such a peaceful place to walk
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
I love going across the moors where I live – West Moors in Dorset. It is a lovely place and full of wildlife too.
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
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 π
i love walking in the lake district
Newquay in Cornwall. The beaches are beautiful and have so many country walks there.
I love walking in Clumber Park, Notts π
I don’t get to the country much but I love to go walking in nearby parks
We like going walking round Rickmansworth Aquadrome
i love country walk around my papas farm
The cotswolds way just by my house a beautiful walk
Bempton Cliffs
i love walking around the lake district
Love The New Forest, the changing seasons are glorious!
Houghton Mill in Cambridgeshire
we love to go walking in our local parks
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.
The local park its has a nature trail, woods, golf course etc. Then we go go in the cafe for a brew and a sandwich
love walking up the hills through the woods and along the cliff tops overlooking the sea with my little dog Alfie
I love a good walk in Hyde Park π
I like to ramble up the Cathkin Braes
The North Yorkshire moors is my favourite place. Beautiful scenery and lots of quaint little villages with nice country pubs to stop at.
Locally we walk around Jumbles reservoir, but we love going on holiday to the West Coast of Scotland and walking around unspoilt countryside there
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.
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
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!
walking around the pennines near stanhope. Apply named englands last wilderness
The Lake District
The beaches on the North Cornwall coast near where I live
A walk round Coate Water Park, this is very near to where my daughter lives
I love walking on Ashdown Forest
I love the Peak District
The North Yorkshire Moors or the Northumberland coast
Bolton Abbey country park West yorkshire
I love going walking in Derbyshire, especially around Chatsworth.
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.
I love Lyme Park. It’s beautiful x
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.
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.
I only like country walks when it is dry so around the local park or woods is good for me.
The Chilterns
The Lake District! It is so calming and peaceful and my 2 dogs love it.
Swansea Coast
Definitely the Peak District
The Lake District and Sandford Mill, a place not many people know about. It’s somewhere around The river Chelmer and the A12.
We love walking around South Wales, so picturesque .x
Cleeve hill
We like Lanhydrock nr Bodo=min. It is a National Trust property with woodland walks.
Cannock Chase near where we love, some lovely walks and can spot a deer herd too
Exmoor in Somerset – its a calming, picturesque, magical, green kingdom.
Anywhere in the Peak District or our local country park x
The Connemara National Park in Western Ireland
I’m very lucky to live in the Brecon Beacons so that’s my favourite place to go for a country walk π
To our local woods
The Downs
The north York moors
My dad has a holiday home down in Llangrannog in West Wales – I love doing the coastal path down there it’s stunning and you can see so much beautiful wild life
I love walking my dogs at the seaside, we normally go to West Wittering beach in Sussex.
Our local country park x
we have some woods near us that we love to visit. that jacket looks amazing on you. x
A place called cannock chase near to where we live,
The forest park near my home is a beautiful place for a walk.
We live near the Lake District, so there are SOOO many great walks and hikes about.
The Peak District – so many gorgeous areas of outstanding beauty to discover.
lovely jacket
richmond park in london – beautiful place
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
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.
Locally Clent Hills, if I am travelling I love visiting waterfalls in Wales
Walking by the River Wye around the area of Hay on Wye its so peaceful and beautiful
I love walking with my dogs on the beach at Newbrough Anglesey
I love walking round bridgnorth such a lovely place x
We love to go to either Matlock or Bakewell π
Around my village which is in the countryside x
irchester country park or stanwick lakes
I love going for a country walk around Chartham, Kent.
Our town has a local country park on the outskirts and it is a beautiful place to go for walks.
Borrowdale in the Lake District, my favourite place.
Bourne Woods and Burghley House are great for outside adventures and walks with my family. Thanks for the chance xxx
I love going to the New Forest, such lovely walks
I love walking along the clifftops on the South West Coast path!
Anywhere with a nice pub at the end of it π .
I love walking with the family on our local beach
I love walking in Tring
we like going to dunham massey, plenty of walks and only down the road from me
Love to walk our Pembrokeshire coast path-so uplifting and energising.
The Woodford Valley near Salisbury, Wilts.
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
in the local park π
COLTSWOLD
We love to go to Kearnsey Abbey which is about a 30 min drive from us, it’s lovely for a walk
Walking by Thames River in Reading
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.
whitstable
PENNINE WAY IN PARTS
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!
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.
Anywhere with a beach – loving Prestatyn at the moment π
Along the river in Ely π
I love the peak district
I love going for a walk near the coast. Anywhere on the coast!
I love walking our 3 dogs in the Northamptonshire countryside xxx
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 π
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.
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.
I love walking in my local country park which has a massive nature reserve and three lakes
I live in Dorset which is great but I love walking in Somerset, hope to live there one day π