Just a woman or mum? You are far more than that!
Just a woman or just a mum is something we hear too much of and perhaps especially in our own limiting self-talk.
How easy it is to write ourselves off aided by media images of perfection. Let’s resolve right now to stop this self-sabotage.
Just a woman
If you see me you will see an overweight woman with tension in the face that actually is more likely to be me trying to hide my quadruple chin. There are bingo wing too and I don’t wear make-up.
Top secret – there is an old version of this post where I said I was not pretty. I have moved on from that thinking – we are all beautiful in our individual ways.
In that old post, I stated that I was proud that I was changing and you know what, I still am all these years on. Back then I was pleased to have lost weight, to have dyed my hair and to have bought some new clothes. I was worrying that I had forgotten how to dress up for a night out.
I had gone to the musical “We Will Rock You” on my first night out in years. I declared that there was a rock chick waiting to emerge from my particular chrysalis.
Be proud of the woman you are
The things I was proud of back then remain the same to an extent as I was an am an individual who has overcome:
Being rejected as a baby
Bullying in the playground at work
Relationship breakdown and infidelity
Experiencing post-natal depression
I was and am proud that I am an individual who commits to parenting whilst finding so much of it so very challenging.
I declared that I was a bohemian who lost her way a bit but at least has the guts to try and do something about it.
I posted a tiny photograph of myself fearing judgment but readers were supportive and with that back up I moved on to greater things because a bit of peer support is all you really need to change things quite radically.
Become just a woman who is moving on positively
I don’t actually recognize the woman I was then. Life moves on and we should too. Since that post was written I have:
Learned to manage grief
Taking on various freelance projects
Relocated
Parented teens
I am not a tiny woman or a small character.
If I am just a woman I am prouder than I was in the original post and you should be too.
If you would like to see the original post, please subscribe to my blog and I will get a copy across to you.
And hell yes I am just a woman and so very proud!
P.S. I reserve the right to have the odd wobbly day – we all do if we are completely honest!
Now please leave a comment and tell me why you are more than just a woman.
In fact, seeing as I got very almost naked for this post, please spread the word by clicking one or more of the sharing is caring buttons below.
25 Comments
Suzie
Lovely post and so true. Mum’s raise the next generation – there’s no ‘just’ about it.
Carol
Well said. Good for you and you are a role model for me. MMBC
Kel
Great post Kate. I have been guilty of saying that I’m ‘just’ a mum, but I’m trying so very hard not to now. There is so much more to me than that. #MMBC
Laurie
I take my hat off to any woman out there with children and still manage to blog. I have just had my grandson for a short time of three days and got incredibly behind! I really don’t know how you do it. You’re not just a mum, you are someone with a personality with something to say, encouraging other women out there to love themselves and that’s good xx
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
Debbie Roberts
Hi Kate, I’m happy to read that you are building your self esteem. Man, women, child, we all have our worth, it’s learning to acknowledge that that makes the difference to how we feel. I have to say that I am more than just a woman because I am just me, nothing more and nothing less and I am totally comfortable with that. With age came the confidence to be happy in my own skin.
Thank you for linking up with the #MMBC
xx
Claire
Lovely post-Kate. I am nodding reading this as we all go through these feelings and don’t feel as confident as we should.
Was this photo Brit Mums bibs last year? I went to Brit mums last year and you was one of the people I wanted to meet up with and chat to. I wish I had seen you.
Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays
Kel
I won’t comment again other than to say thanks for linking this fab post up to #TheMMLinky! x
Jessica - A Modern Mom's Life
I have a post about being “Just a Mom” The idea of it is different than yours, but it’s so important to find our own individual beauty. I find as I get older I am infinity more comfortable being myself, and not some fake ideal I think others want to get to know. Stay true to yourself and the confidence will follow!
~Jess
#FabFriday
Su {Ethan & Evelyn}
You are so brave to write about this and so very honest post. I admire you for this. Of course, we all have our off days here and there but yes, peer support and self belief is so important here. Congratulation! Well done you! Thank you so much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost xx
Lisa Pomerantz
You have to love yourself to know true love with others. Keep on building, turn the volume down on that inner voice, and soar! Just BE YOU! That alone is fabulous! <3 #FabFridayPost xoxo
Lucy
This is such a great post Kate! Am all for celebrating our pros instead of focussing on our cons all the time. Well done for being chosen as #BestBee of the week on the #HoneybeeLinky! xxx
Kirsty
I absolutely love this. Thank you so much for linking it to #ThursdayTeam. It sounds like you have overcome so much in your life already. You absolutely should be proud of yourself. The way we look does not define us and we shouldn’t let it. Good for you and keep up the positive thinking Xx
Emma: Ettie and Me
What an open and honest post. Youre so right, recognising our good qualities is such an important thing and as mums we should all be there to support one another and build each other up. Youre amazing for running a blog, being a mum and for all the oyher hard work you do helping others. Im so glad you’ve moved on from the original post xx
Sarah Howe
I love the naked pic! You look really happy. I really like this post. It’s so important to love all aspects of ourselves: I say to be myself when I look at my post breastfeeding boobs. Then I remember what I have achieved each time feeding my girls. Thanks for sharing with #bloggersbest
Alice | Letters to my Daughter
It’s great to see a bit of self love in this post! There should be much more of it in the world! Every mum is a superstar in my eyes, and we should all be proud of the excellent work we’re doing raising tiny humans. <3 #BlogCrush
MMT
LOVE!
I am not JUST a Mum…today I bought myself some hot pink lipstick, and I’m going to start wearing lipstick for the first time in my 36 years, to do the school run and go to Sainsburys. because I deserve it 😉
Thanks for linking to #coolmumclub
Mrs Mummy Harris
The “perfect, ideal” world of social media really is playing havock with peoples self consciousness. I try to take it all with a pinch of salt as if you take it seriously it can really start to bring you down. #coolmumclub p.s you look amazing lovely xx
Mrs Mummy Harris
popping back from #TriumphantTales. FYI I still love that first photo… you look so confident and happy in that moment!!! Thanks for sharing this with us all!
Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies
Fantastic post. I love your message. Especially admitting that you are a work in progress. We all are, right? xx #AnythingGoes
Helena
Women rock at being the ones who birth children and the future. We all could be seen as canvases working to better ourselves. #mmbc
Tanya
Loved reading this, as it’s so true. “Woman” and “mum” need much better definitions: risk-taker, leader, creator, protector, hard worker, friend, the embrace that my children depend on.
Shiree | Confessions of Parenting
This is such a phenomenal post! We aren’t “just” anything! I love how you are rocking positivity in your life and providing inspiration to others.
Thanks for joining #WanderingWednesday!
Lori | Choosing Wisdom
Isn’t it crazy how it takes years to learn to embrace who we really are? All the comparison, rejection, and pain can truly be a setback! So happy for all you’ve accomplished. I’m grateful to be able to look back and see the progress I’ve made – it helps me get up in the morning and keeps me going most days!
Thanks for sharing on #WanderingWednesday with Choosing Wisdom!
Briony
Great post. I’m way more than just a mum. I’m a good mum, I work hard, I’m funny (Even if not on purpose) and many more things in between. This kind of positivity is what we all need #TwinklyTuesday
Confessions of a New Mummy
There’s so much more to us than being just a Mum and its time it was recognised. Fab post as always, thanks for sharing x #twinklytuesday