Happy Solstice

photo by Sophie Taylor-Havens

Day 31 and Before

Someone just reminded me of this photo. My very best friend, Amy took this of me when I was 14 or 15. It was very soon after this that I started to feel self-conscious of my belly.

photo by Amy North, my very best friend

Day 31 and beyond

I am really enjoying taking photos of other women and hearing their stories. It is like Christmas every day when I see my inbox with a new photo and story of a belly. As I do this, I noticed I am always looking for an opportunity to take yet another photo of my own belly.

My belly in the Red Tent, Greenfield, MA. photo by Luanne Kloster © 2011

Day 30-Celebration Belly

photo by Connor Kloster © 2011 

I did it! 30 days and 30+ pictures of my belly! 

Because I was a little shy to write too much on the blog, I wrote this note last night. It sums up my 30 day experience and my plans for the next 30 days.

I attended the ALisa Starkweather's 13th Belly and Womb Conference 30 days ago. The first night there I signed up for the henna painting group where women were painting henna designs on their bellies. I was immediately afraid to lift my shirt. My pants were too tight and well, I just don't show my belly to anyone. I wondered if it was too late for me to join the group making dream catchers. But there was this beautiful woman sitting with her pregnant belly exposed and something about her made me feel so comfortable. Unfortunately, a few minutes into it, I turned to look in the mirror at my belly design I had just painted. I was horrified at the site of my belly. Cellulite, stretch marks, flab hanging over my pants. I couldn't suck it in hard enough to feel good about my belly. I looked over at the younger, more firmer bellies and started judging each woman in the group, even the women I was close to. I suddenly realized that I was judging the other women the way I judge myself. I decided at that moment to challenge myself to take a picture of my belly every day for 30 days and record it on a blog. The rest of the conference was inspiring, empowering and moving. It made me want to do the challenge all the more.

I thought the blog was private and no one else could see it. I found out I was wrong when I received several responses from other women. Women who were inspired and who offered me encouraging words. This was followed by women, some I know and some I don't, lifting their shirts and proudly showing me their bellies. Some women even sent me pictures of their bellies. Not only did they share their bellies, but most importantly, they shared their stories.

I am honored and inspired by every woman's belly and every story I hear. My son's belly appeared in one photo and yesterday's photo actually included 3 men who felt inspired to lift their shirts and join 6 women for the belly photo.

So, after tomorrow (day 30) and for the next 30 days, I will be sharing photos and stories from anyone who would like to share. If at all possible, I would love to be able to take the picture of your belly.

Belly Love to all.
Luanne

lumoonherbals@gmail.com

Day 28 and 29-Pot Luck Bellies

Kelly, Lindsay, Mara, Jamie, Eden and Me on the bottom

On Friday I was at a pot luck party with some close friends celebrating our friend Eden's birthday. (The reason why yesterday's photo was up late.) Before the night ended, the beautiful friends you see above wanted to make sure we got a group photo...of our bellies.

There was one woman at the party that I hadn't met yet. She was watching us quietly not knowing why we would take a group photo with our bellies exposed. She never asked me why we were doing it, but instead came up to me and thanked me for showing my belly. She told me that she hadn't seen another woman with stretch marks like hers. She then lifted her shirt, showed me her beautiful belly and pointed to her stretch marks that she got when she had her first child at 16.

Ed, Carol, Sophie, Me, Carie, Susan, Tammy, Woody, Nels and Copper the dog.

When I got home on Saturday morning after Eden's party, I got the house and food ready for our annual Winter Solstice pot luck. I love our pot luck suppers where we share our favorite foods, catch up with each other, drum, dance, hug and laugh. It is always sad to see everyone go at the end of the evening. Last night before some of our friends left, a group of the women wanted to make sure they got a group photo...of our bellies! As we were getting ourselves set up in front of the tree, Ed, Woody and my husband Nels lifted their shirts and joined us. We spent the next hour listening to each others belly stories.

Day 28-Mama and Her Babies' Bellies

I am waiting for a friend to download yesterday's picture. So in the meantime, here is one from a while ago that I love but didn't post yet. Me (in the middle) and my two babies who are now 19 and 20.

photo by Nels Kloster © 2011

Day 27-Under a Tree Belly

photo by Nels Kloster © 2011

Resting under a tree after a peaceful walk in the snow covered woods.

When I spend time in nature I connect to Mother Earth. Lying under a tree and feeling the earth below me gives me a sense of peace I don't feel anywhere else.