Give Me a Star-Studded Makeover . . . Pleeeease!
By Tricia Goyer
 I have a confession to make. I love reading People Magazine, and lately it seems the hottest topic has been parenthood. Seriously! There are babies on the cover and on every page. The only problem is those moms make it look so easy. Hollywood mommies wear a size 0 the day they get out of the hospital. They attend award events in designer gowns, appearing as if they hadn’t just pushed out an 8-pound baby two weeks prior!
In our pre-pregnancy days we too had our own styles. (And we have photos to prove we were hot stuff!) Yet today, as a mom, yours may be “sporting grass-stained jeans with a Hawaiian-print T-shirt to hide nose snot.” Nice. Instead of spending fifty dollars at Gap, there are diapers, formula and wet wipes to buy.
I’d like to say that as I grew older, I stopped worrying so much about my clothing choices, but that wasn’t the case. I weekly check out the fashion in People and a dozen similar magazines. Although those styles would hardly fit in with my Montana life!
I think the problem is I’m often too concerned about what others think. Do I look smart and pretty . . . but not too made up? Can I enjoy my life and my kids and still feel good about myself? Sigh.
When I took time to think about this identity crisis, I started asking myself questions. What do I feel comfortable wearing? Where should I focus my time and attention? How would I like to be identified as a person?
I also reconsidered my motives. Why was I trying to be something I’m not?
Perhaps you can ask yourself the same questions. Taking time to evaluate your identity will help you fit life around who you are inside. Not the other way around. When you treat yourself as a valuable person, others will catch on. It’s up to you to decide how you want to be seen and known – without pretending to be something you’re not.
I will never look like those mommies in the magazines, and that’s okay. My child has no idea if my t-shirt is Ann Taylor Loft or a Target clearance item. And you know what? I’m learning that’s just fine with me.
I’m also reminded that what’s on the inside is what really matters. If you don’t believe me, think of the most beautiful mommy you know . . . my guess is that it’s the joy and smile on the inside the draws your attention. I can think of one or two friends that are simply beautiful in my eyes. And I’m sure others will say the same about YOU.
So sorry, People Magazine, you’re way off the mark when it comes to inner beauty and style! | 
