Self-Acceptance. Not Self-Conscious.

27 06 2011

By Mercedes Sanchez

What started off as a conversation on Facebook, inspired me to write this brief blog post on self-esteem and self-acceptance. I like to think I’m confident, but the truth is I have a few insecurities. And when it comes to my body there are several things I’m self -conscious about :

1. My ‘large’ forehead
2. My  nose
3. Super small breasts
4. Skinny legs
5. And my not-so-flat stomach

Perhaps it was being teased in elementary school by the boys for having ”chicken legs,” or being called Blossom because of my “big” nose as a pre-teen or hearing my friends talk about bras and puberty in middle school that triggered some of those insecurities. Through the years, I’ve learned how to accept them all and realized they’re just a part of what really makes me, me!

Join the conversation and tell us what you’re self-conscious about and if you’ve learned how to embrace your “imperfections.”

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  • http://tikitikiblog.com Carrie at Tiki Tiki!

    And you realize most of us are now horrified to hear you have any self-doubts?

    We all have to get better at accepting ourselves…Not sure how that happens, but I know I talk to my daughter about being “healthy” and “strong” and about how awesome it is that humans come in every shape and size and look.

    Maybe her generation will get it a little better than ours.

  • Carla Moreno

    I am conscious of my one crooked tooth and ironically people think I have straight teeth. When i told my boyfriend that I want to fix it, he was stunned and said it was what makes my smile so cute.

  • http://bechicmag.com Mercedes S.

    Carrie, I don’t know how it happens either. I think the people closest to us definitely have something to do with our self-esteem and accepting ourselves.

    Love how you speak to your daughter. I’m going to use those two keywords when speaking to my niece: healthy and strong.

  • http://bechicmag.com Mercedes S.

    Absolutely, Carla! It’s great that you’re boyfriend is supportive :)

  • Monique

    First of all…YOU ARE GORGEOUS! I’ve learned to love all the things that make me different from the next person. xoxo

  • Archgirl1

    “Chicken legs”…I remember that one. NOW I look at all these models and am glad that I can wear heels and embrace my long and lean figure.:)

  • http://twitter.com/maidenisis Cindy M

    I am conscious of my chipped tooth, my huge hips and thighs, and my bit of a stomach, and being short.  I try to work out hard when I can.  I’m trying to break in to the commercial print modeling industry.  I’ve learned to embrace my curves despite my days of insecurities and feeling “fat.” In fact, a lot of my friends tell me that I got great legs and I should show them off more. Little by little I am. 

  • Cristina Duffy

    You’re so pretty! But I completely understand your point because I feel the same…maybe we all are wishing to be perfect. And Monique’s comment is so right!

  • http://www.PowerfulLatinas.com Aurelia Flores

    Interesting that we’re all self-conscious of something!  You’re gorgeous, so I appreciate you sharing, and the history of it is important, too.  I’ve always been self-conscious about being tall — especially as a Latina.  And I hate being called “big” even when they mean tall, not “fat” (‘grandota’ for example, but I’ve heard ‘big’ plenty in English).  However, you’re right. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate my height, although at times those old twinges of insecurity come back…  Great post!

  • Isabel

    Awesome post, Mercedes!  We are all beautiful in our own unique way.  Whether we are petite or tall, what matters is who we are inside.

  • http://www.unknownmami.com/ unknownmami

    I’ll tell you what, your forehead and nose are part of what make your face stunning.

  • http://www.bsochic.blogspot.com Bren @ B So Chic!

    Ay Dios mio! I have the same issues minus the skinny legs! Got the big forehead and mistaken for being Ethopian, the small boobs (as always compared to mami and sis), and the pudgy nose. But, I love myself w/all of my differences!! Love yourself gorgeous! 

  • Johanny

    Hi Mercedes, would have never guessed that about you because you carry yourself so well and elegantly. Thanks for your honesty. I can relate, specially to the big forehead one, I was called frente de coco :(coconut head). And I always hide it with bangs, but later I heard an old saying that says this is a sign of intellect and that inspired my self confidence (also, Iman, Tyra, Egyptian Goddesses) Today, i wear my hair back because it feels more like me:) not too long ago I met an 85 yr old woman who gave me the best advice I have heard, she said it’s all about using you assets, and I think you know how to do that!!

  • http://www.cidstylefile.com Cid

    I think all woman no matter how beautiful, pretty they are or people tell them they are have insecurities. it’s how we learn to deal with them that makes the difference. We need to teach our little girls & teens that beauty is much more than physical or the size you wear. It truly does come from with in.
    BTW, I hated my hair most growing up, funny thing that’s the one feature I get most complimented on! LOL

  • http://www.nibblesandfeasts.com/ Ericka

    Ay, ay, ay!  Don’t even get me started on what I’m self concious about.  But hey, that’s who I am :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/ash.islas Ashley Islas

    I’m another girl with a big nose and hated it for so long.  I get it from my dad and now I take pride in it because it shows that I am who I am.  Growing up I also had issues with my hips.  I’m only 5’1 so my 40 inch hips are noticeable and was teased for them all through junior high and even high school.  I am still learning to embrace my hips since finding jeans or any pants are a challenge, but I am proud to say I wouldn’t change any of my looks for anything.

  • http://twitter.com/LucasitosMommy Ana

    You’re are so pretty! And you sound like an awesome person to be around. =)

    I am self-conscious about my weight. Growing up, I’ve always been on the thick side. I inherited my grandmother’s big hips and thighs so I’ve always had an hour-glass shape figure. I learned to embrace my body as I got into high school and lost over 80lbs. Once I got pregnant two years ago with my first baby, I learned to embrace my body even more.  I was in love with my pregnant body. I was all belly, like most people told me. Once I gave birth, it was back to the self-conscious feel of “will I ever lose all this weight?” I only gained 24 lbs during my pregnancy but losing it all has been the hardest part. I work out and eat right but sometimes I don’t find the time to workout as much as I can, especially being a stay-at-home mom to a very active toddler and that I go to school full-time. I’ve lost my weight gradually and I’ve just learned to accept that my current body is not the curvacious body I had pre-marriage and pre-pregnancy. I just have to work on it, even if it takes me more time than I planned.

  • Shelika

    Definitely an inspiring post! Thanks for sharing, I have always been self conscious about my nose and height. Although as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to accept my self and focus on the aspects I love instead. 

    Growing up I also hated my bony feet until I realized my mom and I had the same exact feet and my thoughts quickly changed to pride that I shared that trait with her. 

    Bottom line is: Work with what you’ve got

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Presleys-Pantry/100001901950458 Presley’s Pantry

    I share your grief… I was called chicken legs my whole life too!

  • http://lovesujeiry.com Sujeiry, 1st Lady of Love

    I was just thinking about this yesterday when my friend, Nydia Mata, took professional photos of me. I kept looking at the shots and thinking, “Ugh! My nose is too round! Ugh! My chichos! Thank goodness for Photoshop!” But today, when she emailed me the photos I actually chose a photo that wasn’t as flattering (in my eyes). My nose looked more rounder than usual (in my eyes). Still, I chose them as one of my favorites. A step in the right direction! 

  • http://www.my-selfesteem-my-life.com self esteem

    You are so lucky to have a supportive boyfriend..they are hard to find.


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