Credit: Dove.us
I have a major crush on Dove. Not just their products (in my bathroom right now: Dove Cool Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner, Dove goFresh body wash and Dove Clinical Protection deodorant), but the brand itself. How can you not as a woman and in my case, a marketer?
Dove’s latest video inspired me and brought my already watery eyes (damn cold) to full tear-brimming capacity. Have you watched this yet?
Why are we (women) so incredibly hard on ourselves? Oh yes, that’s right. Magazine covers of airbrushed celebrities, Pinterest boards dedicated to washboard abs and “she lost 50 pounds six weeks after having a baby” headlines don’t help.
When I look in the mirror I see “flaws” that others may never notice, or gasp, could actually think are beautiful. I see years of battling acne and the dark marks lost fights have left behind. I see a chin that a doctor once wrote down could benefit from a “chin augmentation.” I see a nose that’s hard to ignore and a smile that despite full mouth braces as an adult with rubber bands, is still and will forever be crooked. Today I may embrace the growing belly that is home to our first child until July, but will I hug what is left behind weeks after delivery? How will I come to grips with the new place my hips and thighs end up? Time will tell I guess.
Please don’t mistake this as a post seeking comments about all of those flaws being in my head. I am not fishing for compliments of any kind. I merely want to start a dialogue about how hard it can be to celebrate your natural beauty, and to recognize that we are all gorgeous in our own way…inside and out. Be kind to yourself. If not everyday, at least start with once a week. That seems more than fair right?
P.S. This post is not sponsored. I pay full retail price for all of my Dove products and have never received samples. I was just inspired.
