Mommy belly appreciation post!
Hey there. I see you looking at this post, looking at my belly and thinking “that poor woman” or “I hope that doesn’t happen to me”. Hear me out.
Your worth is not determined by your appearance. Say it again, slowly. Out loud. It’s also not determined by things you can’t control. Guess what? Bodies are meant to change. Each change is evidence of life lived, situations survived.
Sure, this isn’t what’s “attractive”. People don’t strive to look like this… they don’t see stretched out skin and think “this is perfection”. Unfortunately, society is conditioned to hate real skin. We hate fine lines and wrinkles, we hate random spots, we hate everything besides glassy, porcelain skin. That’s what we are teaching our sons and daughters, much to society’s detriment. What message does this tell us? It tells us that our worth decreases when we aren’t unrealistically perfect, which is NOT TRUE.
You are an invaluable, priceless human being and your worth does not change. Especially not at the hand of some stretched skin. If anyone in your life makes you feel lesser because of a completely normal & natural & expected occurrence, throw the whole person away. You are worthy of life and love no matter what you look like.
Whether it’s a mommy tummy, a weight loss tummy, an amputated limb, scarred skin, missing fingers, missing teeth, ANYTHING that changes your appearance, please know that it is not BAD. It is just DIFFERENT, and your worth has not changed.
When you learn to appreciate the life lessons that come with a worn body, you acquire so much peace. When you aren’t constantly worrying about not being the hottest fireball on this planet, you enjoy life more. Always remember that even the “perfect” people have flaws and insecurities… that should tell you something.
Perfect is who you are right at this moment.
I want to end off by saying that God has taught me to love myself no matter what. It is a work in progress and sometimes I still struggle at times, but by the grace of God, I am overcoming this shallow obsession. Knowing that in the eyes of the one who died for me on the cross, my worth doesn’t ever decrease… that’s enough for me. God thinks I’m worth dying for, and he thinks the same thing of you… no matter what.
#postmommybody #mombod #bodypositivity #summerdiary #lemon8contest #postbabybody #summerbod #christian #catholic #jesus
It started subtly after my first pregnancy: the realization that my midsection wasn't going to 'bounce back' the way magazines promised. Those first few months, looking at my belly with its new stretch marks and softer skin felt like staring at a stranger. I’d catch my reflection and a wave of disappointment would wash over me, hearing all the societal whispers about what a 'good' postpartum body should look like. It was a constant battle in my own head, and honestly, it was exhausting. But then, something shifted. I started thinking, what if my tummy wasn't something to hide, but something to listen to? What if these stretch marks weren't flaws, but a map of the incredible journey my body had been on? This idea of my 'talking tummy' became a powerful tool for self-acceptance. Instead of criticizing, I began to ask: what is this part of me trying to tell me? It’s whispering stories of resilience, of growth, of nurturing life. One of the biggest game-changers for me was actively working on my mindset. I stopped following social media accounts that made me feel inadequate and instead sought out incredible women who were openly celebrating their real, unfiltered bodies. Seeing others embrace their 'mom bods' made me realize I wasn’t alone in this. I also started practicing daily affirmations. Simple phrases like, 'My body is strong and beautiful, just as it is,' or 'These stretch marks are a testament to my power,' became my personal mantras. It felt silly at first, but repeating them consistently truly started to rewire my internal dialogue. Another practical step was to redefine self-care. It wasn't about trying to 'fix' my belly, but about nurturing it. Gentle massages with nourishing oils, choosing clothes that made me feel comfortable and confident rather than trying to squeeze into something pre-baby, and engaging in mindful movement that focused on strength and well-being instead of calorie burning. These small acts of kindness towards my body, particularly my midsection, helped me build a deeper connection and appreciation. It’s a journey, not a destination, and some days are harder than others. But when I feel those old insecurities creeping back, I remind myself of the incredible gift my body has given me. My belly, with its unique texture and shape, is a living testament to strength, love, and life. It's a beautiful, talking tummy, and it deserves all the love and respect I can give it. Embracing this truth has brought so much peace and a profound sense of body positivity into my life.
