I have shared my inspiration for creating the Strong Beautiful Woman shirt before, but being the first shirt in the line and the forerunner of spreading the Strong Beautiful Woman’s Movement, it bears repeating at a little deeper level.
After doing makeup on many women over the years, I have been so honored and grateful to be a part of special days, events and moments. Women are powerhouses. It’s amazing all that we accomplish even on the days when we feel like we have no motivation or lack self-confidence. Imagine all we could do if we KNEW we were POWERHOUSES!
I know these feelings because I am that woman. I suffered, and am recovering, as a self-critic with depression and anxiety. So when women are hesitant for me to see them without makeup or are self-conscious of imperfections, I feel their pain. Deeply. So much more than I could express. I often leave makeup jobs and spend my drive home wondering if I could have done or said more to help that women feel even more AMAZING!
I am inspired by these women. The Strong Beautiful Woman shirt was not created to be boastful, or conceded. It was created to INSPIRE and spread a positive message.
I have been told before by a woman that she “wouldn’t wear that shirt because I don’t feel worthy of the message.” I was floored. I never wanted someone to feel they COULD NOT wear this shirt because they were not “up to par” to the message. I replied that this shirt is not about that. I said, “You put on that shirt and OWN IT! Fake it until you make it. You will come around. You already ARE that women. It’s time for you to realize it.”
Some days when I wear my shirt I don’t feel like I am strong. Or beautiful. I call them OVERCOMPENSATION days. The days where you need a pick me up or a boost. The days where putting on the shirt makes you walk a little taller and remind yourself that you ARE Strong, Beautiful and Feminine. You are SO MUCH MORE than you even know you can be!
