Bad Influence Creations

Have any of you heard of the Radical Self Love project?  It was started by blogger and writer Gala Darling.  Being a woman and having two amazing and beautiful daughters, it's something that really struck a chord with me.  I really do not want my girls growing up hating themselves and their bodies.  Thinking they need to change things to make people love them.  We are constantly bombarded by images telling us we are not good enough.  Problem body?  Go on this diet?  Problem hair? Use this conditioner.  Problem face?  Use this make up.  Well, what if you really ARE born with it and the make up companies don't want you to find out because they are afraid that without that self doubt, without that fear, you might not buy their make up.

No make up, didn't do my hair.  

I liked how I looked even without make up.  Is that ok?

My daughters and I discuss our tummies.  You have a tummy, I have a tummy.  They are different but they are all beautiful.  I love my tummy, I tell them.  The truth is that I'm working on loving my tummy.  Maybe by the time they are grown up I will be all the way there.  I hope that while I convince my daughters to question imagery and advertising I can teach myself the same things.   

Hair and make up, plus a carnation.  My striped dress.

I have decided to start a Radical Self Love Bible.  If you click the link you can see some examples.  It's pretty much a journal dedicated to loving yourself.  ALL of your self.  Even the tummy that sticks out too much.  Even that mole with the hair growing out of it.  Even the big nose.  Even the curly/straight/soft/kinky/long/short/thick/fine hair growing out of your head.  It's kind of a scary thing.  The fact that you might just be beautiful BECAUSE of these "flaws" and not in spite of them.  I think I need a big dose of self love because lately I've been feeling the old demon of self doubt trying to stick his foot in the door.  I want to love myself because I want to teach my girls to love themselves.  I don't want to discuss my "flaws" and my extra pounds because it breaks my heart to think of my girls looking at themselves that way.

Now I need to get myself a new notebook.  For now, I'll leave you with a couple of impersonal type pages from my old journal to give you an idea of what kind of a book you can use (the answer is whichever kind you like) and some materials you can incorporate.  I love using window envelopes.  You can stamp them, glue on them,stick photos or words inside of them.  Cut up old books, old comics, use colored markers or your favorite kind of pen.  I'm looking forward to starting.

Are you in need of any Radical Self Love?  What do you think of the idea?  

P.S.  Ever since I heard the spoken word poem "Pretty" by Katie Makki.  I have wanted to print the entire thing on a blanket and wrap myself in it.  Wrap my kids in it.  I love it.