Hi Monday....late to the party I know but Khan and I had to enjoy this gorgeous day and go on a long saunter through the neighborhood. Too nice out to be indoors- heaven's weather, really.
Anyway, this weekend had me really feeling my love for New York- the hubs and I walked all over the city, went to galleries, bumped into an artist whose painting we happen to own, ate open faced omelettes at Freeman's, sucked down some artisanal salted caramel ice cream and checked out cool vintage dresses at the Hester Street Fair, drank buckets of wine with someold friends we had over for dinner on Saturday night, and David hooked us all up with an amazingly good lasagna.
Needless to say, Sunday found me a bit wrecked- and I had a training session with my (very) patient personal trainer lady that morning. Languid and lazy, I reluctantly got out of bed and went to the session- much to my surprise I did well and did not feel as bad as I thought, though the jumping jacks were ill advised- I assure you they do not go with pinot noir, especially the day after you drink it.
But I got to talking with this trainer, who switched gears later in life and became a trainer and nutritionist after years of being a high school principal. I think that's awesome in itself but what's even more awesome is how we both realized that women are entirely too tough on themselves- as a female trainer, she told me she couldn't even count the number of women that come to her who are so unhappy with their bodies, and alas, unhappy with themselves. This is sad on so many levels- though I am not built like I was when I was 25, I would not return to that era of my life for ANYTHING- I know many women freak out when they get older and gravity and salted caramel ice cream are a powerful foil to extreme vanity, but for me, I'm way happier and more solid now. I'm not shitting you- I really am, and think it's time for women to just get over themselves and realize that while being thin is a wonderful thing, it's not the only thing. Not even close.
I'm proud of the fact that I married someone who helped us move back to New York with his job relocation, who would never in a million years be critical of my looks, and who supports all of my whims and Lucy Ricardo-like shemes and quirks. More importantly, I respect the fact that it's way more important to think of your body as something you want to keep healthy- it's not necessarily about being a size 00, it's more about how you feel in that body than the size of your skinny jeans. Take that with you today, ladies- if you focus on wanting to be healthy and less on the weight, the rest of your life will probably follow suit- it's healthy to eat ice cream once in a while, it's healthy to explore new places and face new challenges, and it's healthy to be with someone who never makes you feel bad about yourself. And no pair of shrunken J Brands will do that for you, I guarantee it.
In light of Ashley Judd's recent piece on how f'ed we women are and how even more f'ed the media is for feeding into our insecurities, I urge you to take another look at yourself, and not necessarily in the mirror- look more about what you've achieved, how you're able to walk into a room and own it, and how maybe some younger women will look to you one day, if they haven't already, for how to get there- sure it's unfortunate that your body looks best at a time in your life when everything else is so out of whack, but whatever- it's a gorgeous day here in New York City and I for one am grateful for long walks on leafy streets- if you start noticing that stuff and forget about picking yourself apart, happiness will surely follow. I felt so crappy about myself when I went to the gym Sunday morning- I could have easily let it all defeat me, but instead I focused on the good conversation and need to just get through it so I could enjoy the day. And as we begin another work week where surely someone or something or some bit of jiggle on your thigh will set you off today, take stock of the stuff that overrides all of it- if you're lucky enough to be healthy, safe, in a place where you enjoy freedom, and are able to support yourself, you're doing way better than you think. Stop beating yourself up and get out there and enjoy yourself- we all know life's too short. Cause that's what's up this be kind to yourself kind of Monday in beautiful Brooklyn. All the love for a great week, and just let it be for once, would you? You're way prettier when you just let yourself be happy and enjoy this thing called life .XO