Monday, March 28, 2011

me as I am


I caught a look at myself in the mirror the other day, it stopped me in my tracks.
I recognised the person I saw but I also was surprised at who I was looking at.

I have changed in many ways over the years since I have had children.
I still look the same, but I also look very different.

I have grown in more ways than one:

my ability to juggle more than one task
my ability to cook for greater numbers
my ability to clean faster and more efficiently
my ability to carry on more than one conversation at once
my ability to drive a car whilst listening to fighting and screaming
my ability to manage a household
my ability to remain patient under difficult circumstances
my ability to discipline more than one child at once

have all been great skills to learn.

They also have come at a cost:

I look plainer
I feel tireder
I am more overweight
I am out of touch with fashion
I am ordinary to look at
I spend my time at home
I am homely
I have bags under my eyes
I often speak with a slur from tiredness
I spend less time on myself

As I looked in the mirror I realised that I would not trade any of these things because I now:

love who I am
have more love in my heart
am living my dream
find joy in my children
cherish my husband
know where I am going with my life
know what I want from life
am feeling happiness
feel beautiful
feel free
and want to be me.

I looked at myself and decided to just take me as I am.
This is who I am.

It is who I want to be.

This is number 16 in my happiness list.

p.s: congratulations to Em from Inspired coincidences you are the winner of the 5 Spiritual Solutions Book Giveaway - enjoy and watch out for your email from me. x
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35 comments:

  1. What a fantastic post! Love it. And for what it's worth, I think you look great.
    x

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  2. oh naomi you look anything but ordinary. xx

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  3. Jule hit the nail on the head!
    Great post- I agree completely- particularly driving with fighting and screaming in the back! Being able to do that is no mean feat (ESPECIALLY with 7 in the back I'm sure!)

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  4. Jule took the words out of my mouth..
    You look great!
    Love this post.. :)

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  5. thanks ladies...believe me ~ compared to how I used to take care of myself - I am now looking very ordinary but feeling happier. Thanks for your sweet comments that I am looking alright. I will have a little extra spring in my step now :)

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  6. Actually, when I saw your photo the first thing I thought was how pretty your hair is and how great your outfit is! xo

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  7. What a great post xxx

    and FWIW I would never say you look homely or plain!

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  8. Naomi you are 'the bomb'!
    For me you exude not only natural beauty but two other qualities that I really admire, intelligence & strength of character.

    Seeing photos of you I think you actually have a lovely sense of style and you obviously take care with your appearance.

    All in all, I think that you're gorgeous inside and out.

    xx Felicity

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  9. *blushing* thanks :)

    I actually wrote this blog post to try to inspire women to be happy just the way they are by sharing how I feel.. not to get lots of comments about me....maybe I missed my point...thanks for giving me a confidence boost xx

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  11. The highs and lows of being a mummy.
    speaking of mummys..... you one hot looking mummy Naomi. You look fantastic, you really do. :)

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  12. I actually think you look lovely, no ordinary here!

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  13. Thanks for sharing! I love posts that are truly honest and contain self-discovery. I am glad that you see more than just your outer packaging and see the real beauty in yourself. *By the way, I agree with the others you look great!

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  15. I love this post. It can be so hard to accept yourself, and ignore the self-criticism.

    I'm glad you're in a good place.

    I think I'm getting closer, but I'm a little way off yet.

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  16. Its such a great post, so many of us can relate to what you have written, we are different, not better or worse, just changed!

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  17. Oh, I love your post today. It can be so hard to accept the person who lives in your skin!! I know that I have struggled for a long time with it and just this year have found a sense of peace.

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  18. Totally get it. If only more people thought like this. Charmaine

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  19. Oh Naomi, I love this so much! There's so much I've been thinking about lately, and this brought it all back to what is most important in my life. Thank you.

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  20. Oh I could have written that word for word!

    I agree with others though, you are not plain at all, you look fantastic!
    The fact that you are wearing jeans and grown up shoes has me jealous, lol
    Trackie daks here most days :D

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  21. Well youve just given me a boost! I only have two but its hard sometimes "just being a Mum".
    Thankyou x

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  22. I totally agree with this .. we underappreciate ourselves while trying to outdo ourselves! Thank you for making me remember x

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  23. I was just thinking when I saw the picture what a cute jacket and scarf you have on.

    I think getting older is hard physically, but worth the wisdom.

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  24. Funny, I was thinking these very things this morning as I was dropping my daughter at preschool.

    I had 3 people at the shops yesterday tell me they felt sorry for me (I have 3 kids under 3).

    I feel anything but sorry for myself. Although I probably look frumpy, am out of fashion, only have about 4 outfits I fit into at the moment (due to being 3 months post-baby and breastfeeding) and have permanent bags under my eyes, I am the happiest and most fulfilled I have ever been. I love my life!

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  25. I love this post. Made me cry, I feel like this!

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  26. A stunning post, Naomi. You hit the 'mother lode'. J x

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  27. Naomi, I love, love, love this! It couldn't be more true. I often think I am such a different person to who I use to be, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Thank you. Your words are so wise. xx

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  28. thanks for your comments and it is lovely to know that many of you felt that you could have written this too! I love it when others are feeling the same way I am and that we get to connect together on feeling great about ourselves. N x

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  29. This is my favourite post - love it. I already thought that you are one amazing chick and mumma and now I like you even more. I think you are fantastic!

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  30. Amazing post Naomi. LOVE! And I love this photo, your gorgeous!

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  31. Oh how I can relate! I feel all of this with only two little ones to look after...
    This is a beautifully written post that struck so close to home!

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  32. Great post! I think that most of us can relate.
    You look fantastic. How can you say you don't?
    You are amazing.

    Kirst xx

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  33. Thanks so much ladies - I was not trying to say I don't look great - my focus is on that I now look different, I have changed and I have accepted those changes and I am what I am :) appreciate your comments. touching my heart x

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  34. evrything takes some sort of sacrifice!

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  35. Ordinary is not a word that comes to mind when I think of you, Naomi!

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Thank you for your thoughts...Naomi x

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