Dear Postpartum Mom,
I see you. You are beautiful.
I know it’s hard to step on the scale. You may not like the number staring back at you. You may fixate on it. You may shed a few tears over it. Please stop feeling ashamed of your figure. Your body did the most incredible thing. It grew, fed, homed, and birthed a human being. You sustained and continue to sustain LIFE. Your impact, your strength, and your WORTH cannot be measured in numbers.
I know it can feel like everyone around you is thinner, their skin is tighter, their muscles more toned, their bodies stretch-mark free. Please stop comparing yourself to other mamas. There is no comparison. That other mama doesn’t have stretch marks like you? That other mama looks ripped? That other mama hardly gained any weight? They are not you. Their pregnancy was not your pregnancy. Their journey is not your journey. There is no comparison.
I know it can be hard to focus on the positive things about your body. Please stop putting yourself down and pointing out your imperfections. I guarantee there are women looking at you and yearning to look just like you. I promise you there are women who look at you and envy your shape, longing to lose a few more pounds or a few more inches or to rid themselves of a couple more stretch marks just to look a little more like you.
I know life is busy. It’s hard to get in workouts. It’s tough to plan out your meals. Please stop feeling guilty for skipping a workout or eating for convenience. When you look back at your life are you going to fixate on every moment you indulged? Or will you think about all of the memories you made with your sweet child/ren and smile?
I know it’s hard for you to accept praise. It might even feel like an invasion of privacy. Please stop deflecting compliments. You deserve them. You’ve EARNED them. Don’t push them aside while making excuses for the imperfections that remain. Revel in them. Know that your worth doesn’t come from them, but you sure as hell deserve some validation, some encouragement, and some love.
I know that mom guilt can haunt you. Give yourself grace when you look in the mirror. You grew a human being and then gave birth to that human being and the visual reminders of that journey should make you feel proud, strong, and damn right amazing.
Do you hear me? NEVER be ashamed of yourself.
You. Are. Beautiful.
