Talking about what I gave up for Lent, my experience, and why I think you should do it too!
photo by amanda moss // back seat photography // location: the ballantyne hotel
Earlier this week I shared my Easter look and quickly mentioned Lent. With Easter just two days away that means Lent is coming to a close. Lent often means to a lot of people giving up pizza, chocolate, or all sugar. Raise your hand if you’ve been there. I certainly have, many times! This year through, I decided to dive a little deeper.
This year it was important to me to choose something a little closer related to my faith. I took some time to think about what it was I wanted to give up and one day, while critiquing myself, I decided that would be it. For 40+ days I would not body shame myself. There would be no mean comments about my body, no unfair comparisons, and no getting down on my body. So instead of whatever negative comment I was about to think or say, I would replace it with something positive about my body. So let’s say I was about to say something not so great about my legs, I would instead say, “my legs are strong, they carry me every day and provide me the ability to walk and work out.”
The first couple of days {weeks} were HARD. I would often have to say something positive after completing the negative comment. Due to not catching myself until afterwards. Now though, it’s easy! The second I have a negative thought or I’m about to make a comment to down a part of my body, I STOP. Immediately, my thought changes to why it’s great or again, I replace it with a positive statement.
Now I’m not saying I have the best body in the world. I by no means think that BUT I have the body God gave to me. He made me exactly the way He wanted me to be. And for that, I should be incredibly grateful. I should not be shaming what He made. So for Lent, I decided to give up negativity for appreciation and honor for the body He made me!
I’m not saying all this to toot my horn but instead to maybe inspire you. Inspire you to do this for yourself and if you have little girls, share it with them. Trust me, after a couple of days {weeks} truly doing this, you’ll start to view your body differently! And that my friends, is pretty amazing for a world full of gals with body complexes.
I hope you all have an amazing Easter and enjoy the time celebrating with family and/or friends! Happy Easter y’all!
Laura, this is so great. What an awesome mindset to get in during this special time. I am so proud of you and blessed to call you one of my best friends!
xox Emily
thestylehuntblog.com
What an amazing struggle to tackle during the season of lent!! You have such a beautiful heart for the Lord and I really enjoyed reading this my friend! I could definitely take your advice!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
This is so inspiring! Having a positive mentality can change everything!
Yes for sure! It has helped so much.
xo Laura Leigh
That is so amazing! I try to be good about it since I have a daughter and I don’t want her to pick up my bad habits! Such a great commitment!
XO,
Anna
http://www.blushingrosestyle.com
You’re an awesome mom for doing that! That is something she will very much appreciate in the future.
xo Laura Leigh
I LOVE this idea! I need to try this too- I wonder how it would impact me.
You definitely should! And let me know how it goes.
xo Laura Leigh
I love this post! As you point out, God gave us our body. Negativity has no place in His temple. Thank you!
YES YES YES!! Completely agree gal.
xo Laura Leigh
Negativity about our bodies certainly has no place in this magical life! We are expressing the Divine everyday in our own lives, and that includes shining our light brightly and loving ourselves fully, imperfect as we may feel we are.
Could not agree with you more! Thank you for reading and leaving such a great comment gal!
xo Laura Leigh
You are such an inspiration – I think I might just try this next year!
http://www.pennypincherfashion.com
Yes, yes! Please do. And thank you, you’re so kind.
xo Laura Leigh
Love this post! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Of course! Glad you loved it.
xo Laura Leigh
I love this post Laura!! And you are BEAUTIFUL, so I hope making it a point to not body shame just gave you more appreciation for the natural beauty you have. XOXO, Jaime Sunflowers and Stilettos
You’re the absolute sweetest! Thank you so much Jaime! I hope your sweet family had a great Easter.
xo Laura Leigh
Wow, this is amazing. What a wonderful thing to give up for lent and reflect on. I know that we all, as bloggers at least, may over analyze and compare ourselves to all the other beauties out there. It is so important that we realize that God made us in his image and did not make an mistakes, create any flaws or compare us to others. Thank you for sharing this
-xoxo, Azanique
LotsofSass.com
I could not agree more Azanique!! Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I hope you had a wonderful Easter!
xo Laura Leigh
I really love how you took the opportunity of lent to make more meaningful goals! Body confidence can be so hard sometimes. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks Lindsay! I really appreciate your sweet comment. It can definitely be very hard and I know it’s something a lot of ladies, like myself struggle with. Happy you stopped by!
xo Laura Leigh
Such a great post! Confidence is everything!
Thanks Jenna! I completely agree.
xo Laura Leigh
I love that idea for lent! I feel like it’ll be a good thing for you to do even after Lent because you always need to love yourself!
Xo, Nina
Law of Fashion Blog
Yes I totally agree Nina! I am definitely going to do my best to continue practicing it.
xo Laura Leigh
This post literally gave me tears and is just what I needed to read because I’ve been struggling with this big time! Thank you for sharing beautiful!
xo, Sara
Aw Sara! I really hope you can give it a try. I promise it will benefit you greatly. Thinking of you gal!
xo Laura Leigh
Such a beautiful post!! Loved reading this post. Hope you had a wonderful Easter.
Thanks so much Gretchen. Happy Easter to you!
xo Laura Leigh
This is such a positive message and such a good thing to put into practice!! Thank you so much for sharing!
So happy to hear you’re a big fan of it! I found it to be extremely helpful.
xo Laura Leigh
Wow I really love this post. What a great idea. Thank you for sharing.
xo,
Steph
@trendyinindy || trendyinindy.com
Of course gal! Thanks for reading.
xo Laura Leigh
i love this! i gave up sweets and it was hard but that sounds even harder!
happy easter girl!!
xoxo
Victoria
http://www.agallonofglitter.com
Thanks love! I did sweets before as well, it’s definitely a hard one!
xo Laura Leigh
How interesting! I don’t practice lent but it’s interesting to read about it!
Thanks gal! Appreciate you stopping by.
xo Laura Leigh
So inspiring! I feel like I need to push myself to do that too, for my self confidence!
Thanks love! You definitely should. I highly recommend it.
xo Laura Leigh
Such a beautifully written post and a great way to be thinking! Keep spreading the positive and self-love!
Aw thank you gal! I appreciate that very much.
xo Laura Leigh
This was such a great thing to give up for lent, and I think we all should give it a try! I hope you had a wonderful Easter.
Rachael
Thanks love! Definitely agree every woman and gal should. Hope you had a great one as well!
xo Laura Leigh