If I remember correctly, it was the morning after my 27^th birthday. I knew it had happened by the way I felt. Greasy french fries and a Gatorade just weren’t doing the trick. There was no bouncing back.

It happened virtually overnight…. I had aged. I wasn’t happy about it.

Looking back I think my body was trying to tell me it was time to grow up. After all, I had to stop living like I was 21. I had a good run though.

Around that same time I started noticing laugh lines around my mouth and squint lines around my eyes. Were they always there and I was just noticing them? Doubtful.

So here I am today, about to kick 30 in the teeth, and I find myself reflecting on that girl I used to be physically. To be honest the older I get the more I love the fall and winter, not so much for the pumpkin spiced lattés and football, but for the fact that they require more coverage. At this rate, I would just be happy to NOT have cellulite on my calves (can I get an amen?).

I also hate how hard we, as women and particularly mothers, can be on ourselves. I am guilty of this, for sure. I have to constantly remind myself that just over a year ago I had a ten pound baby plow through my lady parts….how can I possibly expect to look like the 21 year old version of me? I can’t.

I have decided that I don’t necessarily want to look like the girl I used to be. She may have been more physically fit, but she was self centered and naive. Instead, I want to look like the best version of the woman I am today…. a wiser, more caring and confident version of my youth. I want to turn the focus on health instead of appearance. I plan on birthing many more babies and it’s not going to get any prettier (that’s for sure). I’m OK with the fact that the only time I will ever look like Anna Kournikova will be in Heaven….

Source

but that doesn’t stop me from keeping her picture on my iphone for motivational purposes.

Mind over matter, my friends.

xoxo,

jenn

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• motherhood