Hi there loves, my name is Kaitlyn I'm a 25 year old freelance model, videographer, and traveler living in SLC. Being in the industry that I am in it can be SO easy to get caught up in the comparison game especially when it comes to the way I view my body. I constantly have to remind myself that Instagram and social media are NOT reality! We all, myself included, showcase the best of us and it has created a false perception of what is normal and beautiful. I look at other women and admire things that they have that I don't. I've learned I'm not the only one guilty of this, in fact every single person I have ever talked to about this is guilty of it. Wishing we have what we don't and not loving what we do. You are not alone in these feelings. In fact that girl you look at and say "I wish I had her legs," she is looking at someone else saying, "I wish I had her curves," and so on. One day when I was looking in the mirror picking little things about my body apart, my husband called me out and reminded me how grateful I should be for a healthy body that allows me to experience my life in so many different ways, for everything it does for me and allows me to do on a daily basis. It brought me back to reality, my body is everything. I love my body and I am truly so lucky to be able to experience this life in my own imperfect skin. 

“The next time you look into the mirror, try to let go of the storyline that says you’re too fat or too sallow, too ashy or too old, your eyes are too small or your nose too big; just look into the mirror and see your face. When the criticism drops away, what you will see then is just you, without judgment, and that is the first step towards transforming your experience of the world.”

 –Oprah Winfrey

If any of you are feeling discouraged about your body or the way you look please give yourself a big hug right this second. Tell your body you love it and are grateful for everything it does for you and for allowing you to experience this life. I had to learn this lesson the hard way myself and I’m trying to continually show myself unconditional love everyday. I know how hard it can be to fall into the trap of feeling down and discouraged about ourselves, but guess what? Those negative feelings aren't doing any of us any good! It takes a conscious effort every single day reminding ourselves that we are strong, beautiful, amazing people! That we have something important to offer this beautiful world we live in. I am learning more and more everyday the importance and value in empowering ourselves and others around us. 

Part of loving your body is treating it right, and taking care of your body. Eat well and exercise because you love your body and want to take care of it versus dieting and working out because you hate the way you look. I can promise you that you will have a much more successful experience if you can change your mentality towards it! I try to do my best, I consciously try to not beat myself up and I keep going and keep trying. 

I'm learning to embrace the things that once made me self conscious, to rock my hips, own my goofy personality, and to appreciate who I am! Life is too short to spend it wishing you were something else. We have so much more to offer the world. We are all our own unique person, we all have things that make us special and beautiful. I hope to always remember that, and help others remember that about themselves too! Happy people are the most beautiful people. The thing that matters most is that YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, because you are! So cheers to not taking ourselves too seriously, to loving ourselves, empowering ourselves, and being confident in our own skin!