Those Mutha UG Days

I don't think it is ironic that when we pretend to be cave people, we say "ug ug." To me, an UG day=a day where the hair is absolutely rebellious, your clothes just don't look right, you feel a little chunky, and even with makeup on you look tired or unkept (cave woman at her finest.)

I think it is natural for women to be hard on themselves, especially when we are absolutely bombarded by a false impression of what we are "supposed" to look like. I admit that I have my UG days, especially after having 2 kids! Yet, I find myself feeling quite disappointed when I come across other women who are very beautiful and are completely dissatisfied and oblivious to how beautiful and special they are inside and out.

The statement "beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder" is quite powerful and thanks to the media and living in one of the most religious states for plastic surgery, it messes with my vision at times. There are days that I just need a different pair of prescriptive lenses/shades and other days where wish that I had a few extra to pass around. When I have days like this, the song Video by India Arie and Beautiful by Christina Aguilera are great for a little self esteem boost.

Over the past few months, I have been working on my perspective about different aspects of my life. When my "UG" thoughts have crept in, I change the perspective or environment specifically regarding the thought patterns surrounding it. I focus on the triggers and then change to find the beauty of what is going on at the exact current moment. (From breath, sounds, my kiddies, my anatomical and physiological things that work for me, and humorously my VS Very Sexy Bra (It does amazing things for the flat-chested)

In writing about this, I hope to encourage a positive self esteem for those around me. I figure the best way to do this is to encourage each other as mothers, sisters, and friends. If we get it right or learn a few secrets, then hopefully our new ideas and can be passed along to our kids (boys or girls), family members, friends, co-workers, or even a stranger we meet. I know I am not the only one that sees this as a problem. Dove has an entire campaign surrounding this exact issue in young children. You've probably seen some of their commercials in the past. Anyway, if you are having an UG day (and we all have them) I hope that you remember that you are so much more than how "you think/feel" you look today.