From Poolside Tees to Crop Top Please: My Journey to Body Confidence

I’ll never forget the stage of my life when wearing t-shirts in the pool was my ‘normal’. 

During what I commonly refer to as, the ‘awkward years’.  You know, the prepubescent, transitional years where our bodies change, shift, morph and evolve.  As a young girl, between the ages of 11 and 14 years, I was deeply uncomfortable and I would wear T-shirts in the pool over my swimsuits to hide my body during this time.  The t-shirt was my ‘shield’ and protection from any prying, judgmental eyes that might be looking.  The t-shirt covered up all that I felt was ‘not worthy’.  I directly, without really fully understanding it, correlated my self worth with the size of my body, what it looked like and how it compared to those around me.  I felt awkward, uncomfortable and unsafe within my own skin. I was a type A perfectionist type who felt like this part of my life, my relationship with my body and all that it was and wasn’t, was just not good enough.  Unknowingly, I carried this feeling of unworthiness with me all through my 20’s and 30’s and for half of my 40's.  To say it felt like a long road is a vast understatement.  But, one thing that helped start to transform my relationship with my body was, can you believe it, my invitation to wear crop tops.  I know, it sounds strange, and possibly silly, but it’s true.  

I’ll never forget seeing a woman, another life coach who I admire, rocking this fashionable two piece suit that included a cropped vest, and I was like, “She looks incredible.  Oh, I like that!”  She was so chic, confident and fashionable, and I realized I wanted more of that in my life. I wanted to rock a crop top, with full confidence and grace and do so with class.  Now, I didn’t jump straight into the crop top ‘pool’ (no pun intended), but I began to buy some weekend clothes that felt more in line with my renewed vision for myself as a naturally, healthy fit woman and gym clothes that felt more fashionable and more aesthetically stylish.  Then, when the weather started to warm up, I bought a two pack of crop t-shirts from H & M and broke the crop top seal if you will.  I paired them with some high waisted wide leg pants and shorts to start and I haven’t looked back since.  Not only did I start to love how they looked, but I loved how I felt in them and wearing the crop tops really started to reinforce my self image as a woman who loves and takes care of her body.  I had become a woman who confidently wore crop tops.  I did so in what I considered a classy, empowered way, and it felt amazing.  I wasn’t hiding anymore.  I didn’t feel the need to hide. I felt humbled by all the work I put in and the trust I was building as I transitioned from counting macros, learning to trust and optimize my diet in a way that was ideal for me.  I felt worthy.  Not because of the crop top itself, or how I looked, but because I took full ownership of my body, my choices and my health.  This was freedom for me. 

Maybe, you can relate.  Maybe you too, from a young age found yourself judging and shaming your body.  Maybe you attached your self worth to how you looked.  Maybe you felt like hiding was the only way to stay safe.  The truth is…you are worthy as you are right now, amazing, whole and complete and if wearing a crop top is one of your goals, let’s go all in on it.  No explanations necessary.  

Alright my beautiful friend, if this message resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you!  Make sure to DM me or respond directly to the email you received, share your story and/or let’s chat about your goals and visions for yourself this year.  It’s never too late to live into a life and body you adore.

XX,

Monique