Perfectly Imperfect - Gilly Page
/Perfectly Imperfect
How often do we as women, mothers and mothers to be subject ourselves to so much self inflicted stress striving to be the ‘perfect’ mother, partner, working mother ? I know I have and sometimes still do! So much energy wasted on a daily basis causing us emotional stress aspiring to something that doesn’t actually exist!
Nothing or no one is perfect!
Sally, my spiritual sister and the inspiration for Sally’s Sunflowers suffered with facial Cancer for 15 years which as time progressed impacted on her speech, her ability or eat and drink and left her increasingly disfigured - harrowing for anyone but particularly for women as our appearance is perceived as being such an important part of being a woman as we as women are often judged on the way we look by others as well as ourselves … striving for perfect skin, the perfect dress size , the perfect hair causing us emotional stress and impacting on our well being… shocking, unfair but sadly very often true.When I had my boys , emotions a go go and worried that I was struggling to breast feed, not losing my baby weight ,struggling to keep all the plates spinning the need and anxiety to be ‘perfect’ became more and more important to me and as my boys grew older the same stress and anxiety was still there but this time about different things - to bake the perfect cake for the school fair, make the perfect costume for the World Book Day and the list goes on ! does this sound familiar ?!?
Sally however, instead of hiding away from the world ,self conscious of her appearance she never let the challenges she faced take away her confidence or impact on her mental well being - instead of asking ‘Why Me?’ She always said ‘Why Not Me ?’ and with this outlook on life she celebrated each and every scar as it meant that she had survived another day, month, year to spend with her precious son. Sally was the most brave, funny, fearless, grab each day and squeeze every last drop of life out of every day person I have ever met - Perfectly Imperfect in her own special way.
Sally’s favourite flowers were Sunflowers and she always turned her face towards the sunshine in search of the light just as Sunflowers do and spread sunshine wherever she went …
Sally’s Sunflowers is a celebration of Sally’s outlook on life, designed and created to Spread The Sunshine and put a smile on your face with everything in the Sally’s Sunflowers Collection based on things she loved as both a woman, mother, friend and wife …. Comfy, relaxed clothing for standing on the touch line cheering on her beloved boy at his Rugby matches, walks on the beach and in the countryside with her dogs, camping trips with family and friends, a great coffee in a big mug, cake, lots of cake and baking the most amazing cakes even though she struggled to eat them due to the fact that she was restricted to a liquid diet so she blitzed them up with cream and had a cake smoothly instead ! She was never defeated by the limitations imposed in her!
Sally loved the social element and the joy of coffee shops, restaurants, pubs and rugby match’s with friends and family even though she was unable to eat off the menu but that never stopped her from going because for her it was the joy she derived from the people she was with and her surroundings and that she absolutely did not let her illness and the physical restrictions that resulted from it take away her zest for life and enjoying every moment of everyday and relishing every single second. I will be forever be in awe of the way in which she faced her illness, never complaining and very often in pain she was very accepting of her situation and regarded herself as lucky to have lived the life she did .
I have learnt so very many lessons from having had the privilege of having her in my life , the most significant being to always make the most of every day, acceptance, gratitude, appreciation and self care and self love of the body that we have, whatever shape or size because we are all Perfectly Imperfect in her own special way.
Sally’s Sunflowers is so much more than a collection of jewellery, clothing and accessories but an attitude to life of turning your face towards the sunshine in search of the light, even when the dark clouds are gathering overhead and spreading love and sunshine to others as well as yourself.
So please promise both me and yourself that next time you are feel the anxiety creeping in and the search for perfection knocking on your door be more Sally and embrace your Perfectly Imperfect Self with love and gratitude.
Sending you love and sunshine
Gilly 🌻
Bio:
I’m Gilly, mother, Designer Maker and Founder of Sally’s Sunflowers by Gilly Page Jewellery - a collection of eco silver jewellery,responsibly sourced and organic cotton clothing designed to Spread The Sunshine and put a smile on your face - inspired by Sally who always turned her face towards the sunshine in search of the light just as Sunflowers do and who spread sunshine wherever she went.
A packet of Sally’s Sunflower Seeds is included with each purchase to Spread The Sunshine wherever you are and help the environment too as Sunflowers huge smiling faces are giant landing pads for Bees and other pollinating insects. 20% of the profit from each purchase is donated to Primrose Hospice Children’s Bereavement Team supporting children and teenagers with the loss of a loved one …
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