I’ve been struggling a bit lately with self-image. I can’t recall the last time I felt really pretty and I rarely get to a point where I look decent, presentable even.
Wah-wah-wah, you’re thinking. I know.
I feel like a total mom – a title I am incredibly proud of in all aspects except for one. I look like a new mom often does: tired, warn-down, un-bathed, stressed. I gained 40 pounds while I was pregnant and although I often felt gigantic, I also thought I looked pretty cute. Pregnant bellies are just adorable!
Luckily, between breastfeeding and being so busy I forgot to eat, I lost the bulk of the baby weight quickly. I also was crazy lucky in the stretch mark department in that I didn’t get any. But (there’s always a but isn’t there?) my teeth began quickly shifting back to their pre-braces placement. My straight smile is gone. And now? I am so embarrassed. Give me stretch marks I can cover up any day.
Beyond that there’s the saggy skin around my stomach and my boobs which I compare to helium-balloons three or four days after the party is over and they’re shriveled up on the floor.
The thing is – that second to the teeth, my biggest problem is one that I may be easily corrected with a bit of effort )and maybe a Red Bull). I would probably feel better if I forced myself to find some time to paint my nails, fix my hair and makeup daily, and put on something other than sweats and a tshirt.
I do find that the days that I spend more time on my appearance I feel better and get more done. I just don’t always have the time or the energy. Plus there is always something more important – paint my nails or sweep the floor?
Of course the baby is worth it – so worth it. But how do you deal with a brand new body and identity after having a child? How do the rest of you new mama’s feel?
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
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