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/ ALISHA

Modelling in itself has certainly been a journey of personal discovery and with that a journey of acceptance of every part of me.

Learning to embrace all of me began with recognising that my body and every other body is unique and that there is no "perfect" or "ideal" body type. I see this every time I get to shoot with all types of body shapes, sizes, colours and age. It amazes me how beautiful these women are inside and out. I know so cliche, but so true!

Beauty standards vary widely and can be influenced by many factors, such as culture, media, and personal preference. It just became so clear to me that no one body type is better and certainly not more deserving of love and acceptance than any other.

Alisha, Model & Mother, 40

Focus on what your body 'can' do

For other mummas out there who at times may struggle with accepting their bodies as they are, may find it helpful to focus on the things that your body can do, rather than how it looks. Our body is capable of many amazing things, such as carrying you through the day, performing physical tasks, and experiencing pleasure and joy. For me one of the greatest things my body has done for me is birthed and breastfed 3 beautiful babies naturally. With that I could choose to focus on the changes my body went through like weight gain, stretch marks and cellulite. But by focusing on the capabilities of my body, I can begin to appreciate it for what it is rather than comparing it to some arbitrary standard of beauty.

Confidence starts with self love

I also find it incredibly helpful to practice self-compassion and to speak to myself with kindness and understanding. It is absolutely natural to have insecurities and to feel self-conscious at times. To be honest I 100% felt this way at the shoot. I’ve been under the pump with work, selling and moving out of our family home this month and just haven’t had time to eat well, lacking in sleep and couldn’t move my body as much as I’d like.

But it's important to remember that everyone has imperfections and that it's okay to embrace them as they are in the moment. Try to be gentle and understanding with yourself, and remember that you are worthy of love and acceptance just as you are.

IT'S OK TO ASK FOR HELP

If all else fails I find it helpful to seek support from friends and family when I’m struggling with body image issues. They provide a listening ear, offer perspective and guidance. Together we come up with some coping strategies to dispel those negative feelings. Sometimes it’s a walk on the beach to clear the mind, or bathhouse soak and most often for me a nap. Don’t ever underestimate the power of a good nap!

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