Can They Be Analogous to Our Skin?
Flexible and Durable…those two magic words we hope describe our leggings when we take them for a stroll into the gym and through a tough workout. We hope that through their interlocking features, they don’t create any shadow or hint of our underwear, or other “personal” things, and that they withstand whatever movements we may make.
Essentially what we look for is a material thick enough to withstand the tensions and pressures our environment may pose upon us. Our pursuit of squat-proof leggings can be seen analogous to how we need to practice a lack of sensitivity to criticism or insults when they aren’t deserving of our concern as moms. Just as we need leggings to be durable and protective, is exactly what we need our “thick skin” to be, allowing us mental toughness, not allowing our perceived failures or disappointments derail us from our fitness goals.
We live in a society that doesn’t allow for a filter on comments, behaviors or beliefs. Everyone has a voice and a platform, and can exercise these things even behind a keyboard without having to confront someone in person. We don’t have the pressures of having to say something to someone’s face, as our declarations can be quickly placed on a screen and sent out into an electronic abyss, leaving us feeling justified and unremorseful. Our environment makes it even easier for someone to project their insecurities on someone else without having to feel responsible for doing so.
In our modern-day society, we can bring someone down with a few simple words and a “click”. Our criticisms don’t discriminate between someone who may have the mental toughness and aptitude to withstand the pressures of these attacks or whether or not they have the self love and confidence to be able to do so. It is easy to absorb these criticisms and allow them to be the narrative of our own voice if we lack the confidence and self love to compartmentalize them.
It takes a healthy amount of confidence to be able to absorb the feedback from critics and also ourselves, especially with a subject like fitness that can be so personal. Additionally, it takes a large amount of maturity and responsibility to consider the perspective angle of our critics, when it comes to trying to understand the reasons behind their attacks and how we can deflect them in a positive manner. The art of doing so, requires us taking out the emotion and responding in a non-bias manner that allows for both parties to come to a place of understanding.
It is important to remember that although we approach criticism with an open mind, we should do so with firm boundaries. We should remind ourselves, that just as we expect our leggings to hold up against outside forces, so should we when it comes to maintaining our character and authenticity.
We can hold true to ourselves and our values by reacting to criticism in a positive and effective way. Oftentimes, refraining criticism as a form of care can be helpful when doing this, as it adds another dimension to a comment that can be otherwise perceived as unlawful.
It’s important to remember to always place criticism in the bucket of “opinion” that it belongs in. It’s a remark of disapproval, which in the end, shouldn’t affect our own self love and approval, unless that area of our life needs work. Just as we may love a comfy and protective pair of squat-proof leggings that make us feel good in our skin whether or not someone else may feel the same, so should we carry on, embracing ourselves as mothers in our own skin. We should carry on post criticism, knowing that we bring value to the table, and we’re making progress, despite what someone else thinks or feels.
We should believe that our talents and our identity is unique and unreplaceable. And, we should know that as a mother, we are bold, strong and a carrier of life. Beyond any form of criticism, we wear a crown of capability.
As Moms, with our strong sense of self love and confidence, we can stand up to any threat or insecurity of critics being able to see a shadow or line of insecurity beneath our thick layers. We can withstand any force or movement against us, because our interlocking fabric is woven with positivity and self-assuredness. We are a force within ourselves.
Will you think about your squat-proof leggings the same after this article? Hopefully not. Next time you’ve planted your feet shoulder-width apart, with your toes pointed slightly outwards and you’re about ready to hit a personal best with your weight, I hope you do so with absolute confidence…confidence in knowing that no matter the pressure, you (or your leggings) won’t tear or be stretched too thin. I hope you grip the bar or dumbbell with a smile on your face knowing that you are strong, capable and able to ensure whatever criticism may come your way. And, I hope each time you do this, the confidence and self love you have continues to grow beyond your wildest expectations!
