Tuesday, 3 June 2014

Our Own Worst Critics

Do you ever feel like we're always our own worst critics? 

I know I'm totally guilty of that, but I've been noticing it a lot more in real life amongst people I know, and in some of the blogs I read. 

Most of the time, it comes down to us all worrying a lot about our appearance. You know, feeling like a particular outfit makes us look "fat," or that a specific colour washes out our skin tone, or even feeling like we can't "pull off" a certain style. We see things that other people don't, but it's a really hard habit to break out of.

I guess I've just paid more attention to this recently, because I've been extra critical of myself. Just knowing that I don't look the exact way I'd like to look, or finding that my clothes don't fit like they used to is incredibly frustrating. No one other than myself really notices these things, and yet they seem like such a big deal. 

It's easy to say that you want to make a change here or there, but following through with these changes is so difficult! I've been pinning a lot of healthy recipes lately, since I'm really trying to change my eating habits for the better. I'm in my second week of consciously trying to change the types of foods I bring to work, and let me tell you, it's not easy!! I have all of these great recipe ideas that I want to try out, but reality often gets in the way, and it's hard to push yourself to create a masterpiece for lunch, after a long day of work.

In the meantime, even though I'm feeling extra critical, I don't let that stop me from rocking the summer clothes. I'm absolutely loving the fact that it's hot and humid and that means it's been shorts weather! I recently had a lot of fun playing with pattern and textures. I love these eyelet shorts I got at the Gap last summer. I love them so much, that I have them in more than one colour...







OUTFIT DETAILS:

Cardigan - Line (Similar) // Peplum Top - Banana Republic (Same on sale) // Shorts - Gap (Similar) 
Shoes - Aldo (LOVE these) // Bag - Roots (Same, just newer)
Necklace - Stella & Dot (Same)

Do you have any cool healthy lunch and snack ideas? Share in the comments, or even link to your Pinterest pages!

29 comments:

  1. I understand where you are coming from Jackie! I must say though, you look FANTASTIC. I cannot find a flaw in your figure or what you're wearing. We see ourselves so much differently than others perceive us.
    -Ash
    www.stylizedwannabe.blogspot.com

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    1. Aw, thanks for the kind words, Ashleigh. I hope none of us look at ourselves and ONLY see the negative, but I think we all see more negative in ourselves than we ever see in others.

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  2. I was actually just thinking about this the other day. I find that lately I have been comparing myself to others WAY TOO MUCH. I have to constantly remind myself that life is not a race and its not a game. Its ours and we can make what we want.

    but anyways - 1) I think you look great, but if you ever want any help with developing workout plan, eating plan, etc - let me know.
    2.) my new jam is Sweet Potato Triscuits with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus & Sliced grilled chicken on top. Throw it some fruit & bam - super quick & yummy lunch

    xo, Maddy
    http://cassidylou.com

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    1. Tell me about it!! I read an article a little while ago about how social media (I think Facebook, specifically) just makes us all feel SO badly about ourselves because we see people "winning" at life all of the time, but it's not always full truth.

      You're too sweet! That sounds like such a simple and yummy lunch idea. Anything with hummus is delish :)

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  3. So happy you are finally in summer-like weather, yay for cute shorts and love that peplum!
    Yes, we are definitely our own worst critics ( my hand is way up), but it is a hard habit to break, cute clothes help though, LOL ;-)

    Tracy
    www.TracysNotebookofStyle.com

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    1. Tell me about it!! I was beyond "over" winter sweaters!!

      Cute clothes totally help...is that why we're all obsessed?

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  4. If it helps I think you look fab!! And this is such a fun and summery outfit :-) xx

    http://www.sweetcandydreamer.com

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  5. I think we all have moments where we feel insecure. You know that Dove commercial about how we notice our flaws more than others do? That really hit home for me. I am trying to be less critical of myself now and I hope you do too - you are a beautiful and smart woman! :]

    On a sartorial note, I am pretty much in love with this outfit! Those shorts are so fab and I'm kind of obsessed with the chevron pattern of your top! Gorgeous gorgeous :]

    xo Deborah
    Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes

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    1. OH right, I totally forgot about the Dove commercial, but I remember seeing it. I couldn't believe it! Honestly, I try not to be so critical, but it's totally in my nature, and it's a tough one to overcome. I'm sure that's the probably we all have!

      And, thanks :)

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  6. I LOVE the peplum top!!! So perfect for summer.

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  7. I definitely know how you feel about being our own worst enemies. But what can you do, right? I think we're all like that to an extent. I think you look fantastic though. I'm so loving this striped top on you!

    www.room-334.blogspot.com

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    1. I know, I don't think it's possible to NOT feel that way sometimes!

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  8. I am certainly my worst critique. I think it can have a positive and negative effect though. I know that I push myself to always stay healthy and happy, but sometimes its negative in giving myself a hard time for not appearing a certain way! I think we always need to realize that its not always greener on the other side and a lot of people would kill for what we have so we should always be greatful! :) <3

    Eleventh & Sixteenth

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    1. I know, that last point is definitely one that I've thought of before (and chatted about with friends). It's so hard to lose sight that we're all super lucky to have what we do!

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  9. Super cute outfit!! love those pink shorts!!

    and girl, my weight is the struggle of my life so I feel you on being your own critic- overall since I know it's not an easy task I have no choice but to hop on the horse over and over and over again.

    ~Pau
    www.lilbitsofchic.com

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  10. This is such a great look! I definitely can say that since blogging I feel like I have become more critical of myself. It is hard not to when all of fashion blogging is about appearance! Good luck with all your healthy eating habits! Have you checked out Tone It Up? I love them and their weekly workout schedule is free!
    www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com

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  11. Great look, love the top! I think I'm more confident now that I'm a blogger. I try to have healthy eating habits. Fruits are my favorite snack.

    Jasmine x

    For a Real Woman
    So easy Spanish!

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  12. beautiful outfit..

    kisses.
    www.taislany.com

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  13. Yes! I'm 100% my own worst critic! Does this outfit work? Will people think I look stupid? The list goes on and on! In some ways, I've become more confident from blogging because I've learned to really trust my own opinion, but then in others I've started to nitpick more. I'm try to combat that critic inside everyday! By the way, I love this look! Perfectly summery and fun!
    ~Sara

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  14. Love the chevron print <3 Awesome look!

    - Anna

    www.melodicthriftychic.com

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  15. Such a pretty pretty outfit:) And yes, I just did an essay on this and while doing research, I found that a huge percentage of women think that every woman is beautiful but cannot think that about herself. And over half of the women around the world believe that they are their worst critic. (Stats found on Dove.) And I just think it is really sad because every woman is beautiful in her own way yet hardly anyone can say that about themselves. I hope in the future, we as a society can change the way we view ourselves.
    xo Olivia

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  16. I love that top on you. You look lovely! And I totally agree that we're often our worst critics. It's great to step back and remember that nobody else really cares to nitpick the way that we do to ourselves.

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  17. this outfit is so cute! love the fun darling top! perfect fit and fun print!

    kelseybang.com

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  18. Love the coloring of the outfit.You look beautiful!
    http://www.fabuloustorture.blogspot.com

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  19. Great post! I soooo agree with all your points. We can be so hard on ourselves sometime.
    I love your styling. You look gorgeous dear!

    xx Cissy
    www.idreamofbunnies.com
    Follow on Facebook

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  20. Yay for summer weather! I am a shorts and tank top person all the way - I just love warm weather! That top is so cute - the pattern is so pretty and so flattering!

    I definitely think we are all too critical of ourselves. We notice things other people would never see!

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  21. you're rocking that outfit! :)
    I, on the other hand, am too conscious of cleavage since I have quite a generous size too..

    Arianne

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