We’ve all heard the saying “when you look good you feel good” and that goes for your health and how you look physically as well as what you wear. It sounds a little shallow but what you wear can say a lot about you, it helps express various moods and individuality. I’ve been struggling with my body image for the past few months after losing 27 pounds due to kidney failure and being on dialysis, needless to say I haven’t been feeling like myself and this feeling often translates to how I dress. Sweats, leggings, hoodies, and t-shirts have pretty much been my go to choices due to the overwhelming need for comfort (as well as camouflaging the catheter in my neck) but to be honest I am still uncomfortable.
My clothes don’t fit and I don’t feel like myself. Getting dressed is usually my favorite part of the day because my style is heavily based on my mood but most days I’ve been serving sweatpant realness and to be honest I’m over myself. And to be even more honest I HATE getting dressed now which makes me sad because fashion and style is everything to me and my clothes shouldn’t feel like the enemy. I swear it takes me hours sometimes days just to find a outfit I feel somewhat comfortable in for blog posts and even then I’ve adopted the “fake it till you make it” philosophy and take the pictures even though I think I look like shit. Having this negative relationship with my clothes right now sucks and I’m sure we’ve all felt insecure about our body image before but the important thing is to not stay stuck. I see people like fashion blogger Kyrzayda Rodriguez (@kyrzayda_ on Instagram) who is battling stage 4 cancer and through everything she continues to push through her struggles with her own body image and does it so gracefully. We both love fashion and she has refused to let her health stop her from getting dressed and looking her best and she is a major inspiration for me to really push myself as far as my blogging is concerned.
I need to get back to who I am when it comes to my personal style and I’m going to do that by focusing on the pieces in my closet that make me feel comfortable and confident. Whether I am 140 or 113 I need to love my body because I only get one and self love is so important. If you’re struggling with your body image focus on the positive and make a conscious effort to change the things you don’t like, and remember the change won’t happen overnight but it will definitely happen.
I’m going to push myself to get back to the old me and I hope you guys push yourself out of your fashion comfort zones or any comfort zones moving forward. Happy Friday!