{The irony that World Mental Health Day and National Curves Day  are on the same day – inspired this post}

QUESTION:  Have you said “No” to a networking event because you felt insecure?

According to a recent survey by Marshall’s Department Store, more than 70 percent of women say that they have said ‘No’ to a social event or activity due to low self confidence.

If I’m being brutally honest.

I used to hate networking because I was embarrassed about my weight.

I felt ashamed by my weight.

I tied my self worth & my success to my body image.

I decided that I’m not good enough or worthy of success.

If something went wrong in my day, no matter how big or small, I felt anxious, I felt depressed which then lead to self sabotage.

So for me, self sabotage looks like (not taking care of myself).

Eating through my emotions.

Not showing up.

Not moving my body.

All things related to my weight.

Let me tell you a story:

AS A YOUNG GIRL, I would sit on the edge of my mother’s bed and watch her get ready for “date night” with my father.

I was fascinated with her cherry red lipstick and watched carefully as she applied it to her lips, “shmeared” it on her cheeks, and then rubbed vigorously.  It was magical.

In Seventh Grade, I got permission to wear makeup to school.  I jumped on my yellow ten-speed “Peugot” bicycle; that my father crafted for me in the basement, and rode to the shopping mall.  I broke the 8th Commandment (Thou Shall Not Steal), and stole a blue eye shadow, mascara and bubble gum pink lipstick from the drug store, and wore it to school the next day.

I didn’t even make it to lunchtime.  The boys in my class were brutal.  They laughed at me and called me a “prostitute”.  One boy pinched my neck and left a mark; it looked like a hickey.

I was humiliated, embarrassed and ashamed. 

I went to the nurse’s office to call my mom to come get me.  I broke Commandment #9 (Thou Shall Not Lie) and told my mom, “I had cramps”. 

This was the first moment I can remember allowing someone else’s opinion of me make me feel ashamed of who I was!

This was a significant emotional experience that resulted in self harm, binge eating, anxiety and full blown panic attacks.

IN MY ADULT LIFE, I was told, on more than one occasion, that I had a “pretty face”, but I would be so much prettier if I lost weight.

I’m Pretty FAT.

(I’m okay with that)

I don’t know what you’re dealing with today.

Whatever it is – it’s real to you.

Here’s an empowering reminder to celebrate yourself from head to toe.

Because while you should love what you wear, loving yourself is always the most important thing.

I BELIEVE my journey as an entrepreneur and possibly yours too, would be so much more exciting,

so much more rich,

and impactful,

if we were able to accept ourselves just the way we are TODAY and not allow other people’s opinions of us keep us from happiness, abundance and our purpose on this planet!

I’VE COME A LONG WAY since my first makeup nightmare.  TODAY I help women create success through personal development and entrepreneurship.

I BELIEVE this message found it’s way to you at just the right time.

Maybe it’s time for you too – to look at that one struggle – that one challenge that you just know is holding you back.

In the mean time… I’m here for you.

Pretty FAT.

Kisses!

PS – If this post was helpful, please LIKE it and SHARE it.

PPS – Are you a LIPSTICK BOSS?  I’ve created a community of female entrepreneurs called LIPSTICK BOSSES.  CLICK HERE to find out what Type of Lipstick Boss you are and to join the Private Facebook Group.

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Source: Excerpts from The Fashionating Life Formula: How to Build Your Self Confidence by Nancy Joseph

World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. … This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on peoples’ life worldwide.