Vent Sesh

must watch: if we could see inside other people’s hearts

May 21, 2013

A quick post to share a video circulating on Facebook that touched me in a profound way. Ever since getting my neurological diagnosis a few years ago I’ve been keenly more aware of how little we see into moments that define each others lives — pain, joys and everything in between. Your co-worker’s mother might be undergoing chemo, a passerby might be elated after a recent proposal, the emotions are endless and yet we rarely see them. Last week we were dealt some heartbreaking news that I’m not quite ready to share — yet less than 24 hours later, I turned myself “on” for a two-hour meeting with a new client. For a worker bee like me it was almost a nice distraction but another reminder that the folks on the other side of the table had no clue. Nor, did I know much about what was going on behind-the-scenes in their lives.

Just a friendly reminder the next time you’re feeling short tempered that perhaps that person about to be on the receiving end is facing a battle you’d never imagine. Paying one person an unexpected compliment, sharing an extra smile (something I’ve made a particular habit with seniors, perhaps simply thinking about my own grandparents), holding back from harsh words or just holding a door might be a small moment in your day that totally changes the outlook for another.

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vent sesh: bathing suit got the best of me

May 3, 2013

As you read this, I’m in Puerto Rico enjoying a much-needed and way-overdue vacay with my man. We haven’t been away, out of the state without our girl, in a really long time, and we’re really excited about the opportunity just to reconnect and recharge. In prepping for the trip earlier this week, I realized that the top of an awesome suit I got last month was fitting weird. I took it back, assuming I’d easily exchange it for a size down. Except they didn’t have a size down. And, so began one of the most painful 60+ minutes I’ve had in a really long time. I shouldn’t have let it get to me, but I’m human, and a girl, and I walked out, deflated, without a suit and gulping back tears. {being totally honest}.

Writing this a few hours later I’m pretty over the moment but seeing those suits simply not work for my bod was so frustrating. Anyone else have the same bathing suit frustrations and dread? Maybe it’s the crazy, unrealistic images of the women above that become more prevalent this time of year that add to it? It’s painful enough standing in that mirror and seeing everything, cellulite on the thighs, any muffin top but this time my top half that was the main issue. I’ve always said I’d love a slightly larger chest, if only to make myself more proportionate and end the always-complicated process of finding tops small enough for my chest in but breathable everywhere else, and that’s all I could think about during my near-tearfest earlier today. {Would I ever go through anything so drastic? I’m not sure yet!}. I’m not one to torment myself over my body, but man… bathing suits! argh! At the end of the day we have to be happy with ourselves in the suit so we can enjoy all the sun drenched days ahead of us.

Anyway, I’m ready to rock on in the suits I already own and am excited to lounge, hike, relax and simply soak in some one-on-one with my guy. I’m also thrilled to detach from my email, instagram, facebook, twitter… err, life!, for a few days so look forward to connecting with you lovely ladies in a few days. Have an amazing weekend and thanks for stopping by!

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vent sesh: dove real beauty campaign

April 18, 2013

Beautiful is a strong word.

For most women, it’s nearly impossible to say about themselves. Dove, in a recent campaign called Real Beauty Sketches, found that just four percent of us would call ourselves beautiful. Most enlightening is the study where they invited women to describe themselves to a forensic artist, and then had someone this woman just met also describe her to the forensic artist. I’d like to say the results are shocking, but they’re not. They validate how we are often our own worst critic, and how most see us in such better light. They see our beauty; just like you see the beauty of a friend or loved one, even people you just met don’t hone in on the microscopic little lines or dark circles (guilty over here!) that we do, and assume others do.

Watch the video, and check out the sketch comparisons; woah. It really makes me wonder how I would describe myself. Right? You too? As the study shares, beauty is so much more than our looks, it’s ultimately how we perceive ourselves, our confidence, and then how we subsequently apply for jobs, connect with new people, assert ourselves, everything.

I’m not suggesting you have to shout today from the rooftops, “I’m Beautiful,” but I guess it couldn’t hurt any of us to work toward a place where we can at least admit it in solitude! Just reading this at your computer, can you whisper to yourself, “damn, I’m kind of hot” or “I’m beautiful.” Ha, think we all should! Let’s stop playing “mean girls” on ourselves, where we pick ourselves apart just so everyone around us feels better. Reminds me of an old vent sesh called “truth: challenges with compliments,” about when someone gives you a compliment you say “Thank you,” not, I feel so fat today or some other degrading comment that doesn’t make you, or the person giving you the compliment, feel so hot.

You are more beautiful than you think.
{love this}

Video via Dove.

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Vent Sesh: Kim Kardashian’s Pregnancy

April 3, 2013

You’re probably in as much shock as I am reading this headline. I still can’t believe it myself, even as I’m typing these words. But truth: I’m a little in love with the monster-sized clan and the reality shows they keep cranking out. They’re funny, so much so that I find myself hysterically laughing. And, shockingly, I’ve also sympathized – no, not about their closets the size of my home (insane!) — but their body image, the frustration Kourtney felt trying, for example, to get her pre-baby back as we watch her on the treadmill and see her boyfriend make fun of her “huge” 123 pounds.

Kardashian_VentSesh4.3.13

Now, Kim is being blasted on the daily from mean media as she gets bigger from pregnancy.

Yes, the girl has a tush. It’s a really big one, and it helped make her famous. And, yes she wears pricey outfits more than my annual mortgage that I also personally wouldn’t recommend she wear pregnant and I’m not so naive so I get that she probably goes placed to be seen and stay relevant. BUT she’s also just a girl with a body that’s changing every day. It looks like she’s trying to have fun with fashion, learning, playing and adapting. As others have been pregnant can relate, for months it can feel like one minute you have a slightly bloated belly and the next minute you feel enormous. It’s hard enough getting dressed each morning and then factor in a baby growing in your belly and you can see the challenge.

Why am I venting? Because media is blasting her in some of the worst ways possible. Just as they recently did to Jessica Simpson and others to a lesser extent they’re picking this girl apart, saying she’s huge, a whale (well that one dress didn’t help!) — and critiquing her in a way that cannot be positive to any of us. Buy purchasing the mags and clicking through to these articles in a feverish pace, it makes other women, and men, think it’s OK to say these things about celebrities, and then about others in our circles dealing with a changing body.

Hell, some women choose to embrace pregnancy and loosen the constant dieting reigns to enjoy some extra food and indulgences. We’re human and why not? I recall vividly, and still hear other women saying “oh wow, she’s gained a lot of weight” or “she’s getting huge” when referring to pregnant “friends.” Media is feeding into this how it’s OK first to destroy a girl’s body image and now, when she’s pregnant.

Kim Kardashian or not, don’t feed into it. It doesn’t help any of us.

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