Retail Body Shaming

Body shaming is something men and women are exposed to on a daily basis- certain body types are underrepresented in the media or presented as undesirable. Clothing Brands are no exception to the rule; they advertise their clothes on models who are tall and slim, some stores do not carry xxs or xxl sizes and people leave feeling shame towards their body from interactions made during their shopping experience. 

Shopping should be like therapy! It should make you feel good and happy, after getting a cute outfit or finally getting that expensive dress on SALE, but that isn't always the case- sometimes the experience is ruined and you leave feeling bad about yourself by a few simple words or phrases. 

"This is final sale, you tried it on right?" Yes, thank you for letting me know for the tenth time. I did try it on, it fits great..thank you for implying I would need to return it. 

"Is this for you?" Uh-huh..this is for me. Is there a reason you would ask that? Like maybe you think this certain item wouldn't look good on me. 

"Do you need a bigger size" Thank you for loudly pointing out that my usual size no longer fits. 

Though these phrases may not seem like a big deal or sound rude in any way, you never know how someone feels about their body. Someone may be super confident and the comments won't mean anything, but if someone is insecure or unhappy with how they look- these simple interactions can seriously affect how someone sees and feels about themselves. If you work in retail, why not trying these phrases out? 

"Just wanted to remind you that these items will be final sale" "Oh this is super cute!" "Did you need a different size" "Can I help you with anything" 

The intention is never to hurt another's feelings but involuntarily certain actions and comments can have an affect. Being conscious and using positive speech can not only save you from sounding bitchy (sorry!) but you can really make a difference in someone's day.  

xoxo, 

Natalie 

Hectic Schedule vs. Healthy Living

You hear it over and over and over (x10) about how people have no time to exercise and live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. I am guilty of having used this excuse for many years, and I am sad that I didn't get on this healthy living bandwagon earlier. 

It took me a while to realize that the only person who was suffering from my "crazy" schedule and "no time" was me, and when you really think about it- you can always make time to do something great for yourself. It's not difficult, it doesn't take a significant amount of time, it just takes a few tweaks to your lifestyle and before you know it, you can't imagine your life any differently. 

Here are some easy ways to start living a healthier and more active lifestyle: 

• Balance | No need for a strict diet and restricting what you eat. Just make sure that you are getting enough of what you need and not going overboard in indulgence. If you want something, get it- one "bad" meal won't ruin good habits. 
• Prepare For Success | If you aren't filling your fridge and pantry with wholesome and nutrient filled food, then you most likely won't eat it. When grocery shopping, stock up on fruit, veggies and other healthy and filling foods that will satisfy your body's needs. 
• Set A Schedule | If you don't have time, make time! Wake up early and workout, not only will you feel fantastic the rest of the day but there are so many benefits to early morning workouts. If you aren't a morning person, try fitting short workouts or walks during and after work and/or classes.  
• Do Something You Love | Find something that you just can't live without - whether it's a fitness class, such as; Zumba, Yoga, Spinning or Barre. Do something that motivates you to do more-  once you start feeling great, you won't want to stop there and you will look for more ways to get moving. 
• Get Started | This is your time to do something great and to inspire those around you. You can be living an endorphin-high life, feeling and looking great and knowing that you were able to tackle your barriers and rise up over all the doubts and insecurities. 

It may not be easy at first, but if you just give it your all and commit to change- you will be on the road to success. 

xoxo, 

Natalie 

Open Letter to People Who Have Hurt Me

Dear Unknown,  I forgive you. I do not hold any resentment, anger or ill-will towards you. You took part in shaping the person I am today; you made me laugh, cry and scream out in anger. I thank you, because you were an important lesson I needed to learn. This is goodbye. I wish you all the happiness in the world and that you reach your goals. I am saying farewell, because I need to move on and distance myself from this past. To reach my own goals and to find my own happiness. What you did is forgivable, but I won't forget. I won't forget; how you turned your back on me, said hurtful things and manipulated me. How you talked behind my back and judged me, while you put on a different face in front of me. The way you made me trust you, used my words against me and made me look like a villain. I forgive you for me. I forgive you, because I will no longer live with anger and sadness in my heart. I will continue to walk on my own path, leaving all the negativity behind.

Expressing your feelings and letting them out into the world is healthy. Don't bottle up and hold it all in, at some point, it will catch up with you. Don't sacrifice your happiness for the sake of others- that sadness or anger in your heart will make itself visible. If we can't resolve our problems, then saying goodbye can be the best thing to do.  

xoxo, 

Natalie 

Finals: A Survival Guide

Final exams can be a hectic, stressful and unpleasant time but it doesn't have to be. Here are some of my tips to a smooth Exam Season. 

1. Plan Ahead | Come up with a schedule, divide your time accordingly and know what courses will need extra attention. When you find that you are getting distracted..TAKE A BREAK! 
2. Get Organized | Get everything you need, don't wait until you have started studying to find notes, important pages and lecture material. Organize all your study material ahead of time so that you can just focus on that days study goals. 
3. Be Involved | Don't just sit there reading your notes over and over again. Try to find different ways to learn or review the material- make a study sheet, take an online quiz, or watch a video explaining the topics. 
4. Stop Procrastinating | Don't start studying the night before! I REPEAT, do not CRAM. I can assure you that the stress, no sleep and minimum reviewing will all be a recipe for disaster.
5. Stress Release | Exam Season shouldn't be about countless hours of studying, no sleep and caffeine overdose. You need to stay healthy and active by eating regularly, exercising and sleeping at least 8 hours- your body will thank you for it and your studying will benefit from it. 

Remember: A GPA does not define who you are or will be, you are much more than a number. As long as, you give it your all and aim for the stars then you will be successful in everything that you do. 

Good Luck! 

xoxo, 

Natalie 

How To Love Yourself

STOP ALL CRITICISM | Accept yourself as you are. Everybody can change so be positive and watch as those changes happen! 

DON'T SCARE YOURSELF | Erase all those negative thoughts in your head and replace them with the limitless happiness in the world.

BE GENTLE, KIND & PATIENT | Be gentle, be kind and be patient with yourself. You deserve all the best in the world so instead of expecting it from others, why not treat yourself how you'd like to be treated? 

PRAISE YOURSELF | Criticism breaks down the inner self. Give yourself credit for how far you've come and all that you have achieved. 

SUPPORT YOURSELF | It shows strength to ask for help. Don't let your ego tell you otherwise, reach out to your friends and loved ones.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY | Cherish and revere the person you are. Nourish and strengthen your body, learn about ways to become a better and healthier you. 

MIRROR WORK | Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. When looking in the mirror point out things that you like about yourself, was your makeup on point? Is it a good hair day? Say it out loud!

DO IT NOW | Don't wait until you get well, lose the weight, get a new job or a new relationship. Begin NOW and do the best you can. 

xoxo, 

Natalie 

"Ideal" Female Body

When you start looking back in time at how much the standards of women's bodies have changed, you see an evolution. Just like fashion and beauty trends, the ideal female body is constantly changing throughout time. What is normal in this era, may not have been desirable in the past or be desirable in the future. 

Personally, I'm not one for trends...I like what I like, I am who I am and you either like it or not (sorry, not sorry!). I was taught to be my own person and I grew up with the drilled idea, that is pretty much summed up by this saying: "if your friends jump off a bridge, doesn't mean you should too". Since then, I have made a point to always stay true to myself because when you look in the mirror, you should like the person looking back at you. 

Thigh gap, large breast, flat stomach or not! Someone is going to love you just the way you are (cue Bruno Mars). So love and be kind to yourself! Don't stress out over what you have or don't have- you are unique, beautiful and have so much to be grateful for. 

xoxo, 

Natalie 

Moody Madness

Have you ever reacted to something in the most bizarre way ever? Had a DA FUQ moment? Today, during my class (which was probably horrible, sorry!) I wanted to cry when I heard La Quiero A Morir by DLG. I literally had to contain the tear shed and continue to dance, even though all I wanted to do was run away and bawl. 

What began as an "OMGOSH, this brings back so many childhood memories" ended in "He's gone, he's never coming back and Imma Gonna CRY!". This song is just magical, the musicality of it just makes you want to move and shake what ya mama gave ya. Instead, I pouted and looked at my feet half the time, trying to fake smile and not curl up into a ball. I can't explain why this happened! 

I started to think that though my reaction of wanting to cry doesn't happen often, I have a tendency to get angry really quickly (BEWARE BITCHES, just kidding! I swear I'm a nice person). So naturally, I started to analyze when these "incidents" occur the most and... surprise, surprise it's menstruation time.  Even though, I hate when people say "What is wrong with you? Are you on your period?" which is RUUUDE and just asking to get kicked in the face- it seems that at least for me, my moodiness is related to the changes in hormone. 

This is not an invitation to start saying that women are crazy during their period, which is an over exaggeration but we (or maybe just me) are more sensitive to our surroundings. This does not make me weak or weird- being able to express one's feelings is a sign of true bravery and strength, that vulnerability that you show is not an easy task. It is something that I am afraid of, because you open yourself to being hurt and judged. 

I think that we should embrace our own and other's feelings, we shouldn't think of others as less because they aren't afraid to live to the fullest. We should all try to express those feelings more often, instead of keeping them inside. Talking, writing or even dancing can help- even if you don't share them with someone, they are no longer a burden in your heart. 

Maybe my subconscious was trying to tell me that its ok to fall apart sometimes, that I don't have to be happy all the time but as long as I deal with it and get back up...that's what truly matters and defines me. 

xoxo, 

Natalie