Most of us have that one photo – the one where we look back and wonder, 'Why did I ever think I was anything less than beautiful?' It's a question that haunted me for years, leading me down a path of discovery and self-love. And every woman I talked with, felt the exact same way.

Do you look at past pictures and wonder why you thought your 16-year-old self was fat or unattractive? Or see your 30-year-old self in a picture and think to yourself, “I wasn’t that bad”! Why do we see ourselves in these warped ways? That critical inner voice never seems satisfied in the moment. It looks at the imperfections and blows them out of proportion.


Do you want to look back at current pictures of yourself 10 years from now and be doing the same thing?

Get off this merry-go-round of body dysmorphia. We've all been there and the fortunate ones of us that have started to love ourselves with the jiggly bits, cellulite and wrinkles are looking at our current pics and saying, “wow, looking good”.

The heart of the solution?
SELF-LOVE. It's a journey, not a destination.

Loving these beautiful bodies for all that they do for us. Loving these beautiful bodies and treating these bodies with love. Nourishing our bodies with whole foods, hydration and exercise is love. Taking deep breaths is an act of self-love. Stimulating our minds is loving. Expressing our thoughts, feelings, aches, passions and wonderings is an act of self-love.

The definition of body dysmorphia is a psychological condition where an individual becomes obsessed with perceived flaws in their appearance, often which are minor or completely unobservable to others. It's more than just disliking what you see in the mirror. It's a distorted view of one's self, magnifying even the tiniest of imperfections. But the root of this issue often extends beyond physical appearance – it's a reflection of our internal struggles, our need for validation, our fear of rejection, and a product of society's unrealistic standards of beauty.

It's easy to look at past photos and think, "Why was I ever so hard on myself?" But the real challenge is looking at a current photo and saying, "I am enough. I am beautiful just the way I am." Because if we keep waiting for that 'perfect moment' or the 'perfect body' to start loving ourselves, it'll never come.

My personal journey to self-love hasn't been a straight path. Like many, I was trapped in the cycle of self-deprecation. But with age, with experiences in hypnosis, and with the privilege of guiding others on their own self-love journeys, I've come to realize the invaluable truth: Every stage of life is a blessing. Every age, every wrinkle, every scar tells a story – a story of resilience, growth, and strength. The true beauty is in embracing the journey, not just the destination.

I’ve discussed in other blog posts how instrumental hypnotherapy has been in my journey towards better weight management, health, and self-confidence. It's a tool that has allowed me to unearth and confront subconscious, limiting beliefs, transforming them into empowering ones. For those curious about the potential of hypnosis, I've included a link at the bottom of this article. It's a free guided meditation I've crafted specifically for midlife women looking to shed unwanted weight.

My dear friend and mentor, at the age of 87, shared a powerful insight with me. She said that no one told her that it was her time 20 or 30 years ago. I think it’s her time right now. It’s your time! Right now! It's a poignant reminder that we need to own our time. The present is always our moment. We don't need to wait for someone else's validation. We need to find it within ourselves.

For all those reading this: Let's make a pact. Let's stop letting that critical inner voice dictate how we see ourselves. Let's promise to appreciate our bodies, not just for how they look, but for the incredible things they allow us to do every day. Let's strive to find beauty in our authenticity, not in society's ever-shifting standards.

Because in 10 years, when we look back at photos of our present selves, we shouldn't be filled with regrets and 'what ifs.' Instead, we should remember the love, confidence, and acceptance we felt in that moment. Remember, the journey to self-love starts today, with one simple act: looking in the mirror and saying, "I am beautiful, and I am enough."

Join me in this journey. Embrace your now. Celebrate your journey. Love your body, every bit of it. Because you, just as you are, are truly beautiful.


Looking back for pictures of myself when the hormonal roller coaster and limiting beliefs added 30 lbs to my frame, I couldn’t find any body shots from that time. I was so self-critical and ashamed, I avoided the camera and only could find selfies taken from the angle of someone standing above me. What a shame! I wish I had known then what I know now. It starts with loving yourself, not the other way around.

Pledge Your Commitment to Self-Love

Let's do more than just talk; let's make a pact. Pledge your commitment to self-love, to seeing the beauty in every stage of life, to silencing that critical inner voice. Share your pledge, your journey, or any revelations in the comments below. By voicing it, we make it real. By sharing, we inspire others. Join me and countless others in this powerful pact. Make your pledge below.

Experience the Power of Hypnosis

Curious about the transformative power of hypnotherapy that I mentioned earlier? Dive into a free guided meditation crafted especially for midlife women looking to embrace their bodies and shed unwanted weight. Click here to begin your journey.


Big love,
Laura Kate


This girl thinks she's having the time of her life, taking hikes in Sedona on a full moon, laughing with friends, making new friends and being authentically goofy and loving.