Last week I shared an honest post on Instagram about the body-positive journey I’ve been on for the last 18 months. Learning to accept and love my body as it is hasn’t been simple, but it has been deeply rewarding. I normally share photos of my home and updates about projects or decorating decisions, but I felt pushed to be more vulnerable and talk about the work I started in early 2017.
The response was encouraging: so many women commented that they felt the same way or are still struggling to love their bodies. I wanted to bring that message here too, in case you need a little encouragement to love yourself where you are right now.
If you’re also looking for fall outfit inspiration, I’ve been curating some of my favorite seasonal pieces—perfect for embracing style at every size.
Here’s what I posted on Instagram…
I’ve never been one to jump on bandwagons, so sharing a photo of myself trying on clothes felt a little odd. Still, I decided to push past that discomfort for a good reason.
Throughout 2017 I worked hard on accepting myself in the body I have right now. For most of my life I wanted to look different—smaller here, tighter there, less cellulite in another spot. Then I changed my thinking: this body houses me every day. It walks me places, lifts the furniture I build with my own hands, and carried two precious children. That perspective shifted everything, and I started treating my body like the gift it is.
I also started buying clothes again. For a long time I stopped shopping for cute pieces because I didn’t like how I looked, but I noticed women around me who looked similar and still looked fabulous. I wanted that confidence too.
Jacket // Tank Top // Jeans // Shoes // Shoes
I tried clothes on, bought what I loved, and returned what didn’t make me feel great. Why keep items that don’t make you feel good? I decided to stop punishing myself by wearing old, unstylish clothes until I met some future, arbitrary weight goal. Clothing isn’t a reward to be earned—it’s a way to show up for your life now.
I follow a lot of fashion accounts where models are size XS or 0. That’s not me—I’m about a size 16/XL—so I want to share pieces that actually work for curvier bodies. I don’t plan to turn this account into a full-time style blog, but I will share what I love in case it helps you find pieces that make you feel confident, too.
Yesterday I tried on many outfits, but I kept returning to this one. It felt like me, and I loved how it made me feel.
Moving More & Loving It!
This shift in mindset led me back to consistent movement. Once I stopped measuring workouts against a goal weight or a dress size, exercise became something I did for how it made me feel. I move because it strengthens me, clears my head, and improves my mood. The endorphins help me be a more patient mom and partner, and they give me energy for everyday life.
When fitness is about feeling better instead of punishing yourself, it becomes sustainable. Over the past year I’ve worked out two to three times a week consistently—no extreme measures, just steady effort.
Have I lost weight from this routine? No—but I’m not discouraged. I have more energy, my back pain has decreased, and my body feels stronger. Even after two C-sections, I can feel core strength returning. The visible changes are secondary to how much better I feel day to day.
Goals are valuable, but they shouldn’t stop you from living fully while you pursue them. I don’t want to look back on my thirties wishing I’d enjoyed life more because I spent it striving to be a different size.
If this is different from the usual content here, thank you for following along. My hope is that this post encourages you to embrace yourself where you are. Buy that pretty jacket, try on the skirt, treat yourself kindly in whatever phase of life you’re in. Showing up for your life—regardless of the scale or the number on the tag—makes a meaningful difference.
Much love, Laura