Your so-called 'flaws' just might be what someone else is praying (and in some cases, even paying) for. The hips and thighs that I criticize in the mirror every morning are the same hips and thighs that another woman is eating a plate full of collard greens and cornbread to have.
Kindness is one gift that everyone can afford to give, and at some point, we have to be courageous enough to extend that favor to our damn selves. Fine ass, Emmy-nominated actress Niecy Nash says that she recently came to this conclusion on her own when she tried on a new bathing suit and turned into her own worst critic. In a candid Instagram post, Niecy gave us the morning affirmation we didn't know we needed and reminded us all that real beauty means saying f*ck negative self-talk.
The 49-year-old actress began the post with a sincere apology to the person who she had hurt the most with her unkindness:
"I APOLOGIZE to myself! I bought a new swimsuit and tried it on, then proceeded to drag myself. Pointing out every 'flaw', every bump, lump, scar, ripple & stretch mark."
If you heard the things you said to you from someone else, you would be ready to take off your earrings and lace up your sneakers; so why do we allow it from ourselves? I, too, am guilty of being the proud guest of honor at my own personal pity party, made complete with wine and ice cream, and Niecy explained that it wasn't until she found herself maracas deep in her own fiesta of shame that she began to hear the voices of the ones she loved and remembered who the f*ck she was:
"Then I changed my conversation with myself: These hips caught two husbands (and a few boo's), my thighs touch but I gained weight having good food with great people. I see my C-section scar peeking out (thank you @thekatvond for putting a tattoo over it) but it's a reminder that I brought 3 beautiful children into the world. I allowed my stretch marks to whisper 'you are a grown ass women who has survived a few thangs and STRETCHED in ways you never thought you could.'"
It takes about two months to form a habit; that means it only takes 60 days of truly loving you to habitually be kinder to yourself, and according to Niecy Nash, it's one habit you won't want to break. The Claws star went on to explain that although it hasn't been easy, she's making it a point to remind herself of her queendom every damn day.
"My mom always said, 'they don't teach 'kind' in school, you gotta learn that on your own.' Loving your body can be a rollercoaster ride ESPECIALLY WITHOUT A FILTER! but...With all that said I purpose to be kinder to myself today [than] I was yesterday.... tomorrow i'ma try to keep it going 'I love you Niecy'"
Be like Niecy. Find some fabulousness in your "flaws" today, sis.
Featured image by Instagram/@niecynash.