Hey there lovelies! My name is Rocquelle and I blog over at Consider Me Lovely. I was beyond honored when Laura asked me to guest post for her but also a bit nervous and intimidated, because I blog mostly about personal style, what I wore, my nail polish addiction, etc., and Laura has an awesome and completely different writing voice than my own .

I created a weekly series last year “Your Body Is Fabulous” in which I feature various women, they answer 6 questions and share their style, in hopes that someone may be encouraged and inspired by what they read or see.  I am of the belief that clothes, fashion, style, etc., mean nothing if a woman doesn’t love the body she is dressing! A recent theme among some of the ladies I’ve featured has been focusing on the things you love about your body, which got me to thinking about what we say to ourselves and techniques I use to maintain a positive body image.

We all have times where we look at ourselves and think of how something can be improved or what we wish looked a bit different, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s what you do after that thought that makes the world of difference!  So here are some things I do and say when I have such moments:

• • Stand in the mirror play my favorite music, dance and tell myself I look good until I believe it! Nothing like some Beyonce to make me think I am super fine .
• • Shift my focus.  I am starting to gain a bit of weight, and when I see my stomach I think I need to do some crunches, but then I say “but the extra fat in my hips and booty look good!”
• • Remind myself that I am wonderfully made by God (for you it may be any being higher than yourself that you believe in or your momma).  If God made me, how can’t everything about me be wonderful?!
• • Wear clothes that make me feel good!  A skirt with a high waist, a belt, to cinch my waist, and a great pair of heels are the best medicine for my body image/bad day woes.
• • Surround myself with people who think I’m beautiful.  Nothing worse than a boyfriend/husband, friends, or family members who put you down and don’t build you up.
• • Stop comparing my body to someone else’s, since comparison is often the root of many body image concerns.
• • Say aloud positive things about my body. “My skin is gorgeous.” “I am smart and pretty (I don’t have to be one or the other).” “My hair looks good.”  “I am uniquely beautiful.”
• • Remind myself that we are all perfectly imperfect! No one is perfect, so I can’t expect myself to be.

What are some things that you do to maintain a positive body image or maybe want to start doing?