Just a year ago I struggled to embrace my own reflection. After having children, my body had changed in ways I wasn't expecting. And like many women, I found myself caught in a silent battle—feeling that I didn't deserve to wear beautiful, well-fitting clothes because of my weight flucuations from having children. I didn’t want to invest in pieces that celebrated the body I had right then. I thought that if I did, it meant I was giving up on my goals. I also didn't want to ruin my nice clothing or get mad at my children over sticky fingers and messy faces.

But over time, I learned a powerful lesson: when we choose to dress the body we have, we're not giving up. We’re actually taking a step toward self-acceptance. We’re showing ourselves the kindness and respect we deserve right now, in this very moment. And that shift in mindset can be truly transformative.

This was me in 2024, right before I competed in the Mrs. Universe pageant. I weight about 155 pounds and wore a size 8/10.

This is me in 2025, at the beginning of my preparation for the Woman of the Universe pageant. At the time of this photoshoot I weighed about 130 pounds and wore a size 4/6.

As I write this, I weigh about 120 pounds and wear sizes 2, 4, and 6, depending on the brand and the article of clothing.

Through the last year I learned a lot about myself and my body. Here are a few of those lessons.

1. Dressing the Body You Have Fosters Self-Love

When you wear clothes that fit and flatter you as you are today, you send yourself a message that you are worthy of care and appreciation. It doesn't matter what stage of life you're in either. You can have nice clothing that is easy to care for when you have young children. You can have an evening gown in different sizes so there's always one to wear in when you need it. You can have a personal uniform and weat practically the same thing every day. In any stage of life, you can wear clothing that fits your body well, and that you enjoy wearing. It’s not about “settling”—it’s about embracing who you are in this chapter of your journey. That act of self-love can ripple out, helping you care for yourself in other ways.

2. Confidence Breeds Motivation

When you feel good in your clothes, you naturally feel more confident. And that confidence can motivate you to keep making positive choices. You might find yourself more energized to exercise, to eat nourishing foods, or to practice other forms of self-care that align with your goals. It’s a beautiful cycle: the more you feel good in the present, the more you’re inspired to keep growing. It just takes one tiny step forward. Think about your body goals, your clothing/wardrobe goals, and your stage of life. What is one thing you can do today that will help you build confidence in the body you have right now?

3. Embracing the Present Opens the Door to Change

Ironically, the moment we stop waiting for a future version of ourselves to feel “worthy” is the moment we become more open to transformation. Loving yourself now doesn’t mean you’re giving up on growth; it means you’re building a foundation of acceptance that makes sustainable change possible.

This has been a really funny part of my life. It seems like every time I let go of my goals, things change. When my family moved to Utah, I gave up on trying to have a second child. I went through my wardrobe and got rid of everything I didn't like or was too big for me. At the time I weighed about 125 pounds, wore a size 4/6 and I felt pretty good about my body. Once I made space in my closet, I went out and bought a bunch of new clothes. I felt like I spent a ridiculous amount of money after enjoying them for only a few months only to find out I was pregnant again. More weight flucuations were in my future, but I had a solid foundation of clothing that I could build on and come back to after I had baby #2. And, even though it took a few years for me to get back to 125 pounds, I am again enjoying those clothes that I bought a few years ago.

4. Your Investment Becomes Someone Else’s Blessing

When you choose to invest in well-made clothing that honors the body you have now, you're not just blessing yourself—you’re planting seeds for future impact. These pieces are more than fabric and thread; they carry love, care, and confidence.

As you grow and your body changes, you may choose to pass those garments on—whether by gifting, donating, or reselling them. And when you do, that same garment can become an answer to someone else’s prayer. Your story becomes part of someone else’s healing. Your past investment becomes another woman’s reminder that she is seen, valued, and worthy of beauty right now, too.

I choose to donate or give away that clothing and other things when I'm done with them. The hard thing about this, though, is that many people only or mostly shop fast fashion, which is notoriously made with thin cheap fabric, and low-quality production standards. The poor quality and short lifespan of these items can negatively impact your bank account and the opportunity to pass it on to another person. I highly recommend creating a plan or system for purchasing new items of higher quality, saving to spend and spending on quality items that will last.

Once I started dressing the body I had and started wearing the clothes that I have always wanted to wear, I began to feel more at peace with myself. That peace gave me the strength to take better care of my body and to reach my goals in a healthier, more joyful way.

To anyone reading this who might be feeling unworthy, I want to say this: you deserve to feel beautiful and valued right now, not just someday in the future. By choosing to dress the body you have, you’re not only honoring yourself—you’re taking a meaningful step toward the transformation you want. And your courage to invest in yourself now will bless others in ways you may never fully know.