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Lindsay Sword's avatar

I’m so happy to hear you had this realization! We want to see YOU, not some edited, faux-version! We want a NORMAL person in a NORMAL house (loved that line)! I find Substack so much more fulfilling than insta these days, and really only use it for a quick check-in on faraway friends. I love that Peter Pan collar blouse and how you styled it, as well as that beautiful eyelet blouse!

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Traci Landy's avatar

This made my day! Thank you!! We have normal outlets in the wall that cannot be cropped out correctly (trust me I persevered and tried!!!)… I agree. There’s a degree of authenticity and individuality that I appreciate beyond words!! Xoxo

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Lindsay Sword's avatar

Isn’t it hysterical that we’ve been conditioned to think wall outlets are bad?? They’re great! They provide light! I’m happy to be here, and I’m so happy you’re here, too!

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Traci Landy's avatar

Yes!! 🤣 …Thank you!!

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Sarah Hancock's avatar

This resonated so deeply. The way your daughter asked that so innocently, and how quickly it brought up all the unspoken weight we carry around being liked or accepted, was such a powerful moment. It’s wild how early those messages start to show up, and how much we still catch ourselves navigating them, especially online. This was such a beautiful reminder to come back to ourselves and to what actually feels good and true.

Also love the red ballet flats and Peter Pan collar! ♥️

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Traci Landy's avatar

Oh, and yes! I agree, Peter Pan collar blouse FTW!!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻

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Traci Landy's avatar

Thank you for reading, Sarah!! You’re truly spot on. Creating content and having a presence on social media used to be such a big, lofty goal of mine. But when I caught myself getting wrapped up in the “likes” and the need for “acceptance,” I realized I needed to pause and take a step back.

It makes me think a bit about your post from last week—we put ourselves out there, our best selves! And when things don’t turn out the way we expected, there’s this strange sense of mourning… and maybe even a moment of clarity.

Appreciate you!!

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GailL's avatar

Everything you styled this week was great but I especially liked the sweatshirt and the red shoes. Love a good pop of color.❤️ I very much love the way you are leading by example with the munchkin. She will learn so much from watching you every day. I love when I see something or hear something come out of my boys that I know they learned from me (even though generally they wouldn't admit it 😅)

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Traci Landy's avatar

I question every single decision and step I take in this confusing world of parenting, so I truly appreciate that! She is quite a force, and I want to make sure she knows her worth and takes the world by storm, in the best way possible. Yes, those are the biggest victories...when our words are received and make a positive impact!

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GailL's avatar

💋

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GailL's avatar

💕💋

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Whewwww this one hit home and I’m not even on IG! I was asked to be interviewed by a newsletter who has featured some big(ger) names and I was instantly self conscious that I don’t have nice photos and headshots! My husband kindly snapped some pictures for me but I was having a hard time looking at myself with kind eyes. Eventually I gave up and sent some of my better outfit selfies and chalked it up to me being a regular ole gal with nothing to prove. But the heartache it took me to land there is too much for me. I’m grateful for your reminders in this post!

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Traci Landy's avatar

YES!!!!! I feel this so deeply. I’ll randomly ask my husband after taking a picture of an outfit, “Do I look like ________?” (Insert something unkind I’m comparing myself to.)

Being a regular ole gal is highly underrated! I’m not a perfectionist in so many areas of my life...I fully own my brand of being the hot mess express. But for some reason, when it comes to appearance, clothing, images, media, graphics… I catch myself getting obsessed with the details.

We’ve talked about this, but man, our kids can inadvertently become our greatest teachers. I think the past three months have taught me so much about myself and, oddly enough, about the world.

I’m so glad you used your “regular ole gal” pictures. I think that’s why so many of us had a total love fest over you! You are brilliant and relatable, no matter how you show up physically in the world. YAY! 😊

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Thank you! I love your writing and I'm glad we found each other!!

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