Pop of Pink

Did you guys know that today is National Compliment Day? Let me take that a step deeper. Have you complimented someone today? What did you compliment them on?

I recently read an article that talked about what a huge impact discussing your weight (calling yourself fat) or furthermore your child’s weight has on them. It can lead to a lifetime of body image issues just from them seeing you disliking your own body. Why do I bring this up?

The other day I actually slipped. I said to Alex in the car with Lilly listening in the back seat, I need to run today, I am getting fat. Lilly goes, “What’s fat mommy?”. You see, we have been very careful with our words with Lilly. We always help her to learn the healthy options. We workout to be healthy, we fuel our body with healthy food to make us strong.

I mean I didn’t choose the blog name Style Her Strong without reason. One of the main ones is that I want to help my daughter to grow into a strong, capable, healthy-minded, and physically healthy adult. That starts with me and the example I am to her as her mother, and as a woman.

Back to National Compliment Day. I find myself so often telling Lilly that she is pretty or looks cute. I truly believe that goes back to the article about body image issues in children. Lilly is so much more than pretty. She is smart, has sarcasm beyond her years, and has confidence that lights up a room. I want to teach her that her inner self and who she is as a person is so much more important than being pretty.

We often compliment people on their outer shell of an appearance. “I like your shoes, your hair looks pretty”, the list goes on. Do I think it’s wrong to compliment someone when they look beautiful? Most definitely not, but what about complimenting who they are, or the quality of strengths within them? I can’t imagine how much joy a compliment like that might bring someone.

Something I am challenging myself to this week (and I would love for you to join me), is to look deeply at the people I encounter daily and appreciate their inner strengths. Maybe even give them a compliment.

Happy Wednesday, lovelies!

xoxo,

Kalyn