A few years ago I was so trapped within my own body image issues that I didn’t even want to look in the mirror. Shopping for new clothes left me in tears and getting a new haircut ended in disappointment because I’d hoped that this hairstyle would be the missing piece that would make me feel beautiful. It seemed like all around me women had perfect hair, hot little bodies, beautiful faces and flawless makeup. I constantly found myself thinking things like “I’d die to have her arms,” and “If I had her hair I would feel so pretty.”
And today? Today the world has equalized.
It was a long road full of God’s grace and patience, and today my body image isn’t an issue at all. Today there are both outfits that flatter me and outfits that are better suited for other body types. There are hair days that give me a little boost of confidence and days that I miss former styles. And you know what? That’s just fine, that’s normal, that’s real life. Rarely do I look at a fellow female and think that any fill-in-the-blank feature that she has would make me feel better about myself. Those perfect women have faded away completely, not from a lack of beauty, but from a mindset of balance and acceptance.
When I started really believing that God accepts me wholly and completely with all my flaws because of who HE is, that's when I was able to live with my flaws in a different way. He IS love! He doesn’t love me just cause I’m so awesome, He loves me because He made me and He is inherently good and loving so His love for me is a reflection of His own character, not my own perfection.
Any lack or need that I have sends me into a closeness and dependency on God, so why would I lament that? I will always find “flaws” on my body, in my closet, or my home when I look for them. If I can’t embrace the abundant joy and vibrancy in my imperfect life, then duh...of course everyone else’s home decor and fashion will be better than mine (in my mind). If I can’t live out of the acceptance that God created me for, then nothing will ever be good enough for me, including myself.
And that’s why luxe|wise is here, that’s why it’s important to have a place that says “Style and aesthetic aren’t a bad thing, they just won’t bring you any sense of perfection or completion.” That’s why instead of telling you to go out and spend bookoos of money on trendy clothes that will be outdated next month, we’re going to say “Well, let’s start with what you do have and then wisely build from there in a way that enables you and works within your means.” Beauty should be a way that you express yourself and have fun, not something that makes you feel inadequate and overwhelmed. Style should be a thing that warms up your home and says “Welcome, come in! And while you’re here I think you’ll learn a little more about our family and hopefully feel safe enough to share a little about yourself too.”
I love that when you are here you will never ever hear a fellow woman telling you that you should want to hide or change who you are. Instead you’ll find women encouraging you to be the best, healthiest, most genuine and unique version of yourself because you ARE ALREADY ACCEPTED.