Work What You Got

In 2018 I visited New Orleans for the 3rd time, and it was the best time thus far! I always feel a connection to New Orleans because my dad is from Louisiana and when I’m there I just feel like I’m with my people!

This trip came at the time when I started loving my body. Years of being overweight and feeling unattractive were diminishing and my confidence was ready to party. I decided to take a chance by packing a few outside-the-box outfits.

My favorite was this crop top and shorts situation. One year ago, I wouldn’t have even dared to walk the streets in a crop top!  This is how I knew there must have been some type of boost in my confidence.

The crop top was purchased at rue21 (sold out) and I had to have it because Mary J. Blige is on the front! I have loved Mary since I was in 6th grade when her album ‘What’s the 411?’ debuted. We shall talk about that in a whole new post.

But for now, let’s talk about these high-waisted denim shorts. I could never do a crop top without something to support my belly, and these were high enough to get the job done.

Thick girls are allowed to wear crop tops and short shorts, just make sure it looks good and you feel comfortable.

Living your whole life overweight may lead you to think losing weight will give you all the confidence you need—truth is, your mindset plays a big part in building up your self-confidence.

So before you start thinking weight loss is all you need to feel good about yourself, here are three things you can do to increase your confidence regardless of what you see in the mirror.

#1: Acknowledge Your Self-Worth

This may sound like common sense, but most of us don’t do it as much as we should. In order to acknowledge your self-worth, you must take care of yourself. If you suffer from low confidence and self-worth, it’s likely you haven’t been taking care of yourself. Hold your head high and block out the voices in your head that say you are not enough.

Make a list of everything you love about yourself, then refer to it during those times of self-doubt.

You are special and you bring something unique to the world, which is you! No one can be you, quite the way you can so remember that when you feel down and doubtful.

#2: Work What You Got

This is a statement I use often. My definition of Work What You Got is, to use what you have available in order to achieve your goals. Everyone has a different story, so find ways to use your unique resources to make things happen in your life.

Starting this blog helped with my confidence as well. I have this space on the internet where I can share and do what I want. I have a habit of not doing things because it’s not “perfect” I had to realize this procrastination was stopping me from putting out content and growing my blog. So I just use what I currently have until I’m in a position to do what I feel is better.

#3. Be Yourself

The best thing you can do in this life is to be yourself! Life is too short to try to live the way someone else thinks you should. You can save yourself a lot of stress by applying this to your daily life. Don’t let this world tell you it’s not ok to be who you truly were intended to be. You will feel so much better when you start doing things according to how you see fit.

It’s now four years later and I’m re-reading this article and being reminded of how I must continue to cheer myself on. Retraining your mind is not an overnight process and there are levels on the way to getting it together.

I thank God for my growth and all that is on the way.

In the comments below tell me what you do to feel better about yourself, I can’t wait to hear!