"In the past 18 months I: received a late-in-life autism diagnosis, lost my dog to cancer and found out my husband is leaving me. I've shouldered the brunt of a loved-one's depression while trying to sort out how to address and manage my autism. I've had my heart shattered in numerous ways, to a painful depth I never knew possible. I've been betrayed in ways I took for granted would never happen, and saw my life spinning out of control with no discernible way to stop it. But somehow the chaos became calm, the fear became resolve, the sadness became...
“I received the self love pinky ring a month ago as a heartfelt 24th birthday present from my parents and brother. A few months ago, I got this "go be it" tattoo as a reminder to be who I want to be and to do what I want to do. To not let insecurities and self doubt get in the way. This self love ring goes hand in hand with that. My @fredandfar ring is a daily reminder to be intentional in choosing myself, to put myself first, to know that I am enough and that I am worth it....
"The ring I wear on my pinky finger is a self love ring. Ever since I got it, it has helped me through the hard times I faced this year. Before I had this ring, I did not honor, love or choose myself on daily basis. I neglected myself and felt like there was nothing love about myself everything I tried to do or fix ended up worse. The toughest part was sitting down and thinking to myself what is it I could write down that I love about myself? An hour later the page was still blank. And then,...
"I recently finished a treatment program for an Eating disorder. My disorder has taken so much away from me, especially my true identity. I’m beginning to learn who I am, how to take care of myself and my needs, and most importantly how to love myself and be kind to myself. I purchased my ring for a constant reminder to myself that I am worth it, and I have a life worth living."
From the role self love and self care play in her life, to why body acceptance is so important to her, Beyonce gives one of the most candid interview of her life to Vogue for its September Issue, detailing the birth of her twins Sir and Rumi, and sharing how after a C section, she's learning to love her new body. "After the birth of my first child, I believed in the things society said about how my body should look. I put pressure on myself to lose all the baby weight in three months, and scheduled a small tour...
How did you and your hubby meet? His sister and my sister met freshman year of high school. One was wearing the matching pants to the other’s top and instantly became best friends. Our families became close over the years and even spent holidays together! We were around 6-7 years old when we first met. How long have the two of you been together? We’ve been on and off for 3 1/2 years. We always knew we would end up together so we decided to put ourselves first. Focusing on our own education and careers meant taking breaks every few...
"So my self love journey began about a year and a half ago after I moved into my first house and was once again living alone. I soon realized I was sad despite reaching this amazing goal of buying a house. I felt alone. And as far as I could see I was alone. What made it worse was that I didn’t like who I was alone with...ME. I didn’t like who I was, I hated my body, and I couldn’t see how anyone else could like me either so I stayed alone. It was a blog that had shared...
"I moved out on my own a year ago after my mom passed away. You could say I lost both my parents at once- one physically, and then the other mentally. I put on a strong face and went through the motions on a daily basis without trying to feel too much. I lost myself in the process. While trying to kick habits that were tough to rid myself of, I began practicing small acts of self love every day. I got into yoga and exercise. I finally got the job I've been waiting so many years to secure. I...
You’re in a job interview. The interviewer asks you, “Tell me, if you had to pick one, what’s one of your weaknesses?” Let’s be real: You’re not going to reveal one of your true weaknesses to a potential employer who you’re trying to impress. You only want to talk about your strengths, which is why you jump to the classic response: “I’m a perfectionist.” This was my response every time a potential employer asked for a "weakness" of mine. It’s the majority of people’s responses when asked this question. We like it because it communicates that we are relentlessly hard-working...
Each week, our Friday Feature celebrates powerful women from our tribe who share their magic with the world in unique and inspiring ways. This week, we spoke with model Hunter McGrady. The curviest model to be featured in Sports Illustrated, Hunter is breaking boundaries in the realm of body positivity, and uses her platform to not only help young women everywhere embrace their bodies, but also to talk about and break down the stigma around depression and anxiety. You come from a line of models (grandmother, aunt, and mom) and your dad was an actor, so you were familiar with...
Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is a woman. A woman who honors her experience and tells her stories. Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life. Imagine a woman who trusts and respects herself. A woman who listens to her needs. Who meets them with tenderness and grace. Imagine a woman who has acknowledged the past’s influence on the present. A woman who has walked through her past. Who has healed into the present. Imagine a woman who authors her own life. A woman who exerts, initiates, and moves on...
"I am very happy and honored to be part of this self love movement. I am 28 years old, single, no kids, and for 10 years my life has been dictated by my work. I have never loved myself from childhood. It is not easy to love yourself when you are not like the society wants, I was little bit "tomboy", the good friend, I have always been known for putting other people first. As life progresses, I lack love (even if I have the best parents!). So why don't I begin by loving myself? When I saw the Fred and...
