Smart Healthy Women

  • Home
  • Digital Issues
  • Podcasts
  • Short Courses
  • Health
    • Fitness
      • Bodywork
    • Food & Diet
    • Mindset
  • Lifestyle
    • Family
    • Style
    • Inspiration
  • Love
    • Dating
    • Sex
  • Money
    • Women’s Business
    • Career
    • Investment

Smart Healthy Women

Because you matter

  • Home
  • Digital Issues
  • Podcasts
  • Short Courses
  • Health
    • Fitness
      • Bodywork
    • Food & Diet
    • Mindset
  • Lifestyle
    • Family
    • Style
    • Inspiration
  • Love
    • Dating
    • Sex
  • Money
    • Women’s Business
    • Career
    • Investment
  • Home
  • /
  • Beauty
  • /
  • Undressed and Unapologetic
Beauty

Undressed and Unapologetic

By Ailsa Robson
Women at Beach

I am worthy of this space I repeated over and over in my mind today whilst moving around the beach in a bikini. I am worthy of taking up my spot on the sand regardless of the well-known terrified voice in my head – the voice that spits through gritted teeth ‘people are going to SEE you…see your enormous dimpled thighs and skin that wobbles’.

My new voice calmly, but sternly said, Let. Them. See.

I will no longer be held ransom by my inner mean girl. My sassy gal tossed off her towel, took a deep breath and walked strongly into the water toward my gorgeous young daughters who haven’t yet created their own internal damning whispers. They simply know their bodies through glorified skun knees and bike-stack bruises…not questioning whether they are ‘good enough’ to wear a bikini.

I will keep showing up and wearing clothes that make me feel beautiful and comfortable even with my extra curves on show. I am worthy of the space in which I stand. It has taken me many moons of personal reflection to get me to this place and it is life-long work. I do it for my beautiful children. I also do it for any woman who second guesses living a vibrant life because her inner critic says she shouldn’t be seen. Whether you are larger or smaller than me, no doubt you are familiar with your own internal slanders. Always remember that you are worthy. You are good enough.

Along with beautifully exfoliated sand kissed feet, salty eyelashes and a massive grin on my face I also came away from the beach with a splendid shell. It is cracked and tumbled but I love it as it’s ‘perfectly imperfect’. So today was anything but imperfect…it was a stunning diamond day with my gorgeous family. Here’s to showing up and knowing you are worthy!

I am Ailsa Robson, a Psychotherapist and Author.

Self-reflection helps me to change my life

I make sense of my world through self-reflection.

I open up my mind, unpack and scrutinise my thoughts then write about them. It’s been a cathartic tool for me for decades. Often it pours from my soul, flooding my mind until I can release the flow of words onto a page. This helps me to see how my thoughts become my truth and why it’s imperative to pay attention to them, honouring each one but inviting the more helpful thoughts to grow stronger.

That day at the beach I knew I was changing my life story. I owned my space, my right to be the perfectly imperfect woman that I am without shame and without apology. I created a new normal for myself.

Life beyond dieting

My stories of imperfection have often centred around my body. In the past I was a typical yo-yo dieter, focussed on losing weight. I used to believe that I had failed the diets I had endured, now I realise that the diets actually failed me. I educated myself further, and now practice Health At Every Size® principles that focus on well-being rather than weight loss.

I actively move my body because it brings me joy and assists my mental and physical health. I no longer follow any restrictive diets, instead I eat intuitively and find joy in adding foods that make me feel well, leaving less room for foods that don't. I also find joy in regularly practicing acts of self-care and I weave compassion and gratitude into each day.

So many women are tired of loathing themselves and simply wish to like themselves more.

Often we feel our life isn’t quite where we imagined it would be. We doubt ourselves and doubt if we will ever be ‘good enough’ in one way or another.

We are all Perfectly Imperfect

I want you to know that you are not alone. We are all flawed and that’s ok. I want you to know that you are worthy of love, respect, kindness, joy and peace within yourself regardless of how your life may be panning out, and that you are good enough, exactly as you are.

This is my passion and it is the passion for many other compassionate folk in the world.

People are starting to accept themselves flaws and all. The idea that you aren't good enough unless you are a particular weight, have an adoring partner, have a perfect family, and live a perfect lifestyle is being challenged.

Women are starting to realise that we all live our own versions of imperfect lives and that's ok.

Differences are beginning to be celebrated

Take note of body diversity all around you, choose to follow body positive warriors in your socials, and surround yourself with diverse voices that raise you up and make you feel encouraged.

Remember every day that you are so much more than just your body #morethanmybody

The world is crying out for diverse women warriors – some of them dimpled, wobbly, stretched and scarred warriors.

Do you dream of taking your place next to me and others who are no longer apologetic for their flaws?

Then. Let. Us. See. You.

Line up with me, on the sand, bestowed with sun-cream as war paint and a twinkle in your eye.

Wear that bikini, pair of shorts, sleeveless top, or anything else that you’ve been dreaming of wearing and stride around confidently.

There is nothing, and no one stopping you.

You are worthy. You are good enough.

Image credit: Canva Natural Women Collection

About the author

Ailsa Robson
Ailsa Robson
Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Author

Ailsa Robson is a Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Author. She has recently released her memoir, Perfectly Imperfect: Raw Reflections on Body Image, Mothering, Love and Loneliness (that you don’t usually share). It is a raw and inspiring account of Ailsa’s struggles with her body image, the ups and downs of motherhood, love and loneliness as she begins to accept herself, flaws and all. She lives in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, with her family and their feisty alley cat. She is a passionate Health At Every Size advocate. Perfectly Imperfect is available on: Amazon and Ailsa’s website:

    This author does not have any more posts.
Tags: body positivity, diversity, embracing bodies
Women Enjoying the Sun
Previous Post

3 Tips to Help You Feel Body Confident

March 8, 2019
Next Post

The Holy Grail of Beauty

May 27, 2019
mona lisa

You May Also Like

Health

Embracing Diversity: Unlocking Your Unique Nutritional Needs

February 28, 2023February 28, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get Social with Us!
About Us
Author Picture:

Join me as I share great strategies, stories, trends and awesome tips from experts all over the globe, for women who love to live life to the full!

info@smarthealthywomen.com More about us
Recent Posts
  • Health

    Embracing Diversity: Unlocking Your Unique Nutritional Needs

    By Estelle February 28, 2023February 28, 2023
  • Health, Inspiration

    I survived the chaos, you can too ! ….

    By Anne Duck November 4, 2021November 4, 2021
  • Culture, Featured, Investment, Tech

    Have you been WoW’d yet?

    By Estelle November 1, 2021December 8, 2021
  • Career, Mindset

    Quit Feeling Obligated to Follow Opinions Over Counsel

    By Kristin Smith August 30, 2021August 30, 2021
  • Health, mental health

    Why getting a dog when WFH will help with your mental health

    By Rebecca Lockwood July 14, 2021August 7, 2021
  • Inspiration

    Who is in charge? You or Life?

    By Kristin Smith July 31, 2020July 30, 2021
  • Health

    Parenting a child with autism solo (while trying to build a business…)

    By Susie Hopkins June 30, 2020July 1, 2020
  • Culture, Editor's Pick

    I Can’t Breathe

    By Froswa' Booker-Drew June 5, 2020June 5, 2020
  • Mindset

    It’s Time to Wait and See What New Self Will Emerge from the Stillness of this Chaos

    By Dr Dravon James April 15, 2020August 6, 2021
  • Health

    How to Organise and Clean Your Home for Better Health

    By Jane Wilson April 11, 2020September 4, 2021
  • Health

    Time to let go…

    By Crystal Sheffield-Baird March 28, 2020April 15, 2020
  • Health

    How to Gain Certainty in an Uncertain World

    By Priscille d'Arifat March 19, 2020April 15, 2020
  • Health

    4 Ways Gratitude Helped Me Heal My Depression

    By Tania Burgess March 3, 2020March 3, 2020
  • Health

    Reconciliation of the Heart

    By Dr Patti Ashley February 18, 2020April 15, 2020
  • Health

    Why Hawaii is banning chemical sunscreen from 2021

    By Victoria Sandison December 20, 2019December 19, 2019
  • Health

    5 tips on refreshing good vibes in your life and home

    By Tracey Dimech December 9, 2019December 9, 2019
  • Editor's Pick, mental health

    Black sheep?

    By Emily-rose Knowles November 13, 2019November 9, 2019
  • Family

    A Treasured Idea

    By Susie Hopkins November 11, 2019February 27, 2020
  • Health

    You’re in Charge.

    By Emily-rose Knowles October 29, 2019October 28, 2019
  • Health, Spiritual

    Healing from Within

    By Rocky Uchimura October 23, 2019October 20, 2019
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram Linkedin
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Website Disclaimer

© 2011-2020 Smart Healthy Women Magazine. All rights reserved.

Type and hit enter to display search result