A few years ago, I probably wouldn’t have posted this picture.
I would have looked at my arms first, zoomed in, picked myself apart, and wondered what everyone else was going to think. I probably would have found a different picture where I thought I looked better.
But I’m 46 now, and I’m starting to realize that confidence looks a whole lot different at this age.
I used to think being confident meant loving everything about your body. I don’t believe that anymore. There are still things about my body I don’t love. I’ve lost a lot of weight, my body has changed, and I can still find plenty of things to criticize if I let myself.
The difference is, I don’t want those insecurities making decisions for me anymore.
How many of us have said we’ll wear the sleeveless top when our arms look better? We’ll buy the swimsuit when we lose more weight. We’ll get in the picture when we feel more confident.
But life keeps going while we’re waiting.
Owning Mint Pineapple Boutique has given me the opportunity to talk to thousands of women, and I’ve learned that almost every woman is insecure about something. We worry about our arms, our stomachs, our legs, getting older, gaining weight, losing weight, and all the ways our bodies have changed.
I think confidence after 40 is realizing that your body doesn’t have to be perfect for you to enjoy your life.
You can want to lose weight, get stronger, or change things about yourself while still being kind to the woman you are today.
Wear clothes that make you feel good now. Take the picture now. Get in the pool now. Go on the trip now.
One of the biggest things owning a women’s clothing boutique has taught me is that clothes can’t magically give you confidence. But sometimes the right outfit reminds you of the confidence that was already there.
You put something on that makes you feel good, and you stand a little taller. You smile differently. You stop worrying quite so much about what everyone else thinks.
That is what I want women to feel when they shop at Mint Pineapple Boutique.
So yes, I posted the picture.
Not because I suddenly love everything about my body, but because I’m tired of letting the things I don’t like about myself take up more space than the things I do.
I’m 46. I’m still changing, still growing, and still learning to be kinder to myself.
And I’m done waiting for a perfect body to enjoy my life.
So I’m wearing the tank top.
I’m taking the picture.
And I’m showing my arms anyway.
— Jessica Lavender
Owner, Mint Pineapple Boutique
