Category Archives: closet catalog (what I wore)

Remember this week's challenge? Have you taken it yet? Well, as always, I like to take the challenges I tell you all to do, so here it goes.

Like I mentioned in the post, I've never worn shorts. My entire life. I hate them. Loathe them. They're right up there with swimming suits, you know? But as I was writing Monday's post, I thought--you know, I've always wanted to try the tights with shorts thing. So, I radically accepted that my legs are MY legs.

They are how they are right now, in this very moment, and they're not changing any time soon. I know this because it's not in my gene's cards to be any different. So why not just embrace them? Why not free myself from these self-imposed negative thoughts about these here legs and just let my freaky leg flag fly?

sweater: thrifted // shirt: thrifted // shorts: thrifted // shoes: Handstand c/o Blowfish // bracelets: forever 21

You know what else I radically accepted today? The fact that if anyone seriously judges me because of my legs, then I want nothing to do with them because who does that? Get a life.

Radical acceptance is preeeeetty awesome, kids. It is so freeing. How's the challenge going for you? Any cool experiences to share? Let's hear it!

This post is part of the self-love revolution going on all month long here on A is for Ampersand. Be sure to sign the declaration of self-hate independence and join in on the revolution!

There are a lot of things I've missed out on in life because of my insecurities. Let's see if you can guess my main insecurity from the following facts:

-What's my favorite season? Fall and/or winter.
-What's my dream vacation? Somewhere cold.
-I've been known to hate the beach. I know. Blasphemy, right?

But are you seeing the trend? It all boils down to one STUPID stupid insecurity:

Swimsuits.

So lame, right? I can't tell you how many times I've turned down hot tubbing or days at the pool because I couldn't get real and get over it. And people always wonder why I hate summer so much--it's because the shorts get shorter and the sleeves do, too, am I right?

How many of you reading this have missed out on things you'd normally love to do because of your body image insecurities? Skipped the shorts and tank tops because you hate your arms and thighs? Or maybe you didn't buy those jeans you needed because the number on the tag terrified you.

Maybe it's not about body image--maybe you haven't gone to that concert you wanted to go to because you let your anxiety get the best of you. Or you didn't relax on the weekend because you felt guilty about not getting a certain something done.

We've all got our insecurities in one way or another that prevent us from doing what we REALLY want to do. So, this week's self-love challenge?

What does radical acceptance mean? If you've ever been in therapy, it might be a term you are nice and cozy with.

Radial acceptance is a beautiful thing and was the first major breakthrough for me in my recovery.

What if instead of fighting your body, you radically accepted how it looked right now at this very moment. Accept it for what it is, how it looks, what size it is, and--gasp--ENJOY IT. What if you radically accepted it, realized that you can't change it immediately, and went ahead and put on a swimsuit anyway?

What if instead of fighting your body, you radically accepted that your genes will never be what society tells you they should be? What if you radically accepted that you are no longer going to accept living with painfully negative self talk?

Are you catching on to the concept? Revolutionary, right?

Please, please, PLEASE believe me when I tell you that radical acceptance is so powerfully liberating! My therapist always told me it was like "pooping and getting off the pot." Yeah, you might not love your situation right now, but it is what it is. Accept it and move on so that you can LIVE YOUR LIFE.

I'll be back later this week with how I tackled this challenge, but right now, I want you to tell me...

What have you been denying yourself because of your insecurities? And what will you try to radcially accept this week?

Will it be accepting that you can't get EVERYTHING done on your list? Accepting that free time is a perfectly acceptable way to spend time? Accepting that a certain someone is toxic and that you need to stop being their friend for your own sanity?

What will you radically accept this week?

This post is part of the self-love revolution going on all month long here on A is for Ampersand. Be sure to sign the declaration of self-hate independence and join in on the revolution!