The Long and the Short of it!!

I haven’t worn shorts in about twenty years.

I felt that my legs weren’t good enough and I’ve always been incredibly critical and unloving towards my own body.

Like so many women, I’ve spent my life at war with my body and with my perception of what my body should look like.

Since getting a breast cancer diagnosis – I had always hated my generous breasts too, although now looking at the scars on my chest I realise the error of my ways there – I’ve been treating my body with greater love and respect … I no longer take it for granted.

I’ve always been exceptionally physically healthy, strong and resilient.

I’ve always loved jumping out of bed early in the morning and rushing with plenty of oomph through my day.

When I was a kid living at home at my parent’s place I would be up before six in the morning and in the pool swimming laps – this went on from October until May .. and as a young adult it was off to the gym to lift some weights before work and then as a young Mum, and even an older Mum it was up and keeping my house in order with nappies hung on the line before 7, a place for everything and everything in its place.

Work it!!

At work I was the “go-to” person to get things done and I carried a lot of people and their problems close to my heart for far too long, pushing myself and my health and doing what I would never have expected others to do, until it became clear this was no longer working for me – if it ever had!!

I developed chronic anxiety and out of that came two heart attacks from a rare condition known as cardio arterial spasm, where the heart arteries spasm, when I’m under emotional stress, stopping the flow of blood to the heart and causing a heart attack…. my body could no longer be pushed, it seemed!

But I’m nothing if not persistent, so I got treated and worked to manage the condition, only to wind up with breast cancer!!

Aah!! Oprah – how I do miss you!!

So I used to love to tune into my therapy sessions with the extraordinary Oprah .. how good it used to be to see a woman of colour interviewing all manner of people and modelling what it is to be a fine global citizen with a wonderful mind, a beautiful spirit and an even better attitude – and being one of the world’s top earners into the bargain! Oprah I will always love and admire you!!

Anyway, she had a show once where she was saying the universe tells you when you’re going in the wrong direction, first with a tap on the door, then a knock, then if you don’t answer it, well the door gets busted down!! And of course this is what happened to me!

So now I wear the bloody shorts and don’t worry about the imperfections …

I’m making peace with my bod!!

The Power of Three plus one!!

There are four different pairs of shorts and I styled them all a bit differently, although I think the look with my old salmon coloured jacket is probably my favourite – I think it turned out really smashing!!

Shorts are perfect for the crazy hot Aussie climate and they really do suit the more laid back lifestyle I have – or want to have – at this point in my life!

Of course, when I’m checking on my bees this is not the look I go for!!

Thank you for joining me in my little corner of the web and I’d love to hear your thoughts on some of the things I’ve discussed here or come in on my Instagram account donnadoesdresses and share your thoughts …

Donna 🧚🏻‍♀️❤️🐝