Some thoughts and discussions from me.

When I was younger, I had a list of things I absolutely hated about myself.

My height – I was taller than some of the boys in my class!

My freckles – why couldn’t I just have normal skin?

My name – If I heard “what page are we on, Paige?” one. more. time…

And most of all, my big butt and “thunder thighs.”

I think most girls feel this way, growing up. The grass is always greener. The short, brunette girl with curls who I wanted to be? She probably wished she were taller and had blonde hair.

It’s funny, because all of these qualities that I used to hate, are now my favorite features about myself. They separate me from everyone else, and make me me. I now love my 5’9 stature! I can reach things that are high up, and I can gain 5 lbs. and still be able to zip up my jeans. Instead of trying to bleach out my freckles with lemon juice, I let them show through, and don’t even cover them up by wearing foundation or anything like that. I now love my name, and when someone says, “Paige,” I likely know that they’re speaking to me, and not one of the other 10 girls who (don’t) have my name in the room.

And most of all, I own and love my bottom half. For a tall white girl, I’ve had a “bubble butt” for as long as I can remember. Remember that song, “Big Ol’ Butt” by LL Cool J? Oh, come on…I know you remember!

Ha! Ohhh, 1990.

Want to hear a funny story?

The other day, when I was at the Denver Ski & Snowboarding expo, I was getting SO frustrated because a) it was a million degrees, b) there were a million people, and c) no snow pants would fit me. They were either too short, too tight in the butt and thighs, or, mostly, both. My awesome friend, Katie, could tell I was about to implode, and went over to a kind woman working, and asked her what brands she recommended for someone who was tall and had a big butt – LOL! I had to laugh at that, and – surprise, surprise, we found a pair that fit just minutes after.

Yes, I used to hate my butt and thighs.  But now? Now I train them the hardest in the gym. They’re my biggest muscles, and they help me dead lift, squat, swing, jump, run, push, climb, and hike.

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The only thing I don’t really like is never being able to find jeans, as evidenced by my utter frustration while squeezing on ill-fitting pairs, here.

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I’m really not sure how this transition happens in a girls life – when we go from hating certain qualities in themselves, to loving them. I’m 28, and I know it’s taken me around a quarter of a century.

What’s something that you disliked about yourself when you were younger that you love now?