Power to the Showerless

Posted on by threeboysandamom

You guys! Today was day 6 of no shower.

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That’s too long folks. My hair has been in the same pony tail all week long, I’ve only changed my t-shirt maybe twice at home and have only worn real clothes a few times and that was for church, the zoo and a grocery run. Dry shampoo, deodorant and perfume can only carry a person so far, and I think day 6 is the limit. I’ve taken several PTA baths (pits, tits and @$$) but even that starts to not work anymore after so many days.

Here’s the thing. This is not unusual for me these days. It’s consistently 3-5 days in between each shower. It’s just a reality of life right now. Actually this has been the reality probably since my twins were born over 2 years ago. (I was better about showering when I worked throughout my second pregnancy because the public was subjected to my appearance on a daily basis and I didn’t want to lose my job. But I digress.)

Here’s the other thing. I’m ok with it.

I’m a mom! Of 3 boys 2 and under. I don’t sleep much, I don’t shower much, I barely wear real clothes. My spare time is spent cleaning or writing… (it’s about priorities guys). The boys hygiene is much more solid than mine and I do a much better job taking care of their little bodies than my own. It just is what it is.

Earlier today I posted this picture on Facebook with the status, “The struggle is real folks…. way too many days since I’ve seen the shower! You know you’re a mom when cleaning like a mad woman before your kids wake up (and some after) is what you consider me time and a workout all in one! ☺ I better squeeze in a shower somewhere or people will stop loving me.”

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Obviously this is not a flattering picture of myself, but it’s my life. Shortly after my post I had 2 friends comment and share similar pictures of themselves admitting it had been 3 days since they showered as well. This got us thinking and realizing that we are not alone in the showerless, stinky mom look. This beautiful “me too” moment gave us the freedom to relax and be proud of our stink and what it represents. I replied with a “Go us! Power to the showerless” comment and we decided to change our profile pictures to these “real” pictures of ourselves to show people that this is what motherhood looks like sometimes.

It’s not always pretty. It’s not always clean. There’s no make up, no cute outfit, no accessories other than a vacuum and a spit rag, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Mom life, especially stay at home mom life, is not glamorous in the typical definition of glamour. But it absolutely is beautiful.

There is a new Colbie Caillat song called “Try” that has become my anthem. Please take the time to watch the video and let this sink in.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve wasted a lot of time in my life striving. Trying to fit society’s definition of beauty. Trying to feel worthy. Trying to find myself in everyone else’s opinion of me. Trying to be perfect, good enough, lovely. Hating myself for what I’m not rather than loving myself for what I am.

I don’t always feel pretty when I’m on day 6 with no shower, my legs haven’t been shaved in 2 weeks, I may or may not have brushed my teeth that day, my hair is in a greasy pony tail, and I’m in the same grubby clothes I’ve been wearing all week. I don’t always look in the mirror and think, “Yes, this is good!” except for sarcastically of course. I don’t always feel beautiful and I definitely don’t always love what I see in my reflection.

But what I do know is that I’m beautiful. Not because of how I look but because of who I am. Because of who my kids say I am. And because of who God says I am.

Beauty isn’t found in make up and expensive clothes. Its not found in the perfect body. It’s not found in society’s definition of beauty.

True beauty is found in truth. It’s found in honesty. It’s found in the real life moments and our open hearts. It’s found in our flaws. It’s found in the “me too.”

For me today, beauty is found in the eyes of my children. It’s found in them wrapping themselves around me despite my unshowered body. It’s found in doing the best I can, loving my boys, and learning to love myself in the process. It’s found in the understanding of joy and a happy heart. It’s found in the most real moments of everyday life as just a regular old mom.

So today I just want to challenge us all to stop trying, and just be. Let your true beauty speak for itself, no matter how many days it’s been since you showered. Stand proud of your stinky body and dirty clothes. Find joy in your greasy hair and unshaven legs. Look in the mirror and realize you are beautiful! You’re worth is not determined by your looks or what you do, it’s determined by who you are.

And who you are is beautiful! Rock on gorgeous warriors! Power to the showerless!!!

“You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.” Song of Solomon 4:7

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“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3: 3-4

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“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:4

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“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” Proverbs 31:25

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73 thoughts on “Power to the Showerless”

  1. Good heavens, I just want to reach out and hug you. You’re creating your own self-help handbook here, and I know there are a plethora of women out there who really need to hear what you’re saying.
    I love your message, those carefully constructed and tender-hearted words that come pouring out when you’re in need of some self-esteem boosting, and the recalibrating of what’s most important. It’s clear you’re in a good space mentally. Bravo for you–especially with the overwhelming challenge on your hands!
    And the song is marvelous. Thanks for that too. Keep it up, Mom. (And if you have a bathtub, maybe make it a family bubble bath of fun?) 😛

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    • Wow your words mean more to me,than you know! Thank you so very much for,your feedback and taking the time to read and respond. I love the family bubble bath idea… I’ve done it before haha. Its a tight squeeze for sure but it’s fun! ☺ thanks again for the encouragement…it means a lot!!!

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  3. You are beautiful Mama–shower or not. Going on day 3 here without a shower and with one leg shaved, and man did I need this! It’s so hard to see beauty in myself. Until I see my son light up when I grin at him–thousands of wrinkles and greasy haired or not. Oh to have the eyes of a child 🙂 Until then, loving learning to love myself without trying & loving the knowledge that I’m not alone in this journey.

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    • You are so sweet and that means so much to me…thank you! Its not always easy to see our own beauty but when you look in your sons precious eyes, know that What he sees is the reality of what you are…beautiful!!! Thank you for your comment and I’m glad this was encouraging to you!

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  6. OK…
    A. I have NO idea how you’re surviving with three babies under 2yrs old?! Most days I feel like I barely survive having just one… I’m exhausted Lol!
    B. Clean or not, you look so cute in all your pics! I mean honestly, for going six days strong without a shower, you look pretty damn good to me!
    C. Most importantly, you look HAPPY!

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    • Oh thank you!!! I appreciate all of that so very much!!! I AM very happy and your words mean a lot to me. Motherhood is exhausting no matter how many you have 😃 but worth ever second!!!

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      • Aww you’re so welcome! Honestly, you are both inspiring and a breath of fresh air. I love your writing and it’s always nice to read blogs that remind me I’m not alone! Are you on Top Mommy Blogs? If not you should join! And ps, I hope you get a shower today! I actually updated my Fb last week saying, “You know you’re a mom when a 10 minute long shower feels like a weekend getaway!” Lol

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    • LOL! Most of the time it’s between 2 weeks and a month at least, but given its the summer months, I have to throw a razor over my legs at least each time I do ever shower so as not to start being confused with a mama baboon 😃

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  19. Oh, how much I love this!! So so happy for you and proud of you and proud to know you, friend. Sometimes, it just is what it is and we are what we are!

    I’ve even thinking about image and beauty lately. Reading stories about moms with stretch marks wearing bikinis to the beach and being ridiculed.

    We’ve been conditioned as society to think that everyone else’s image is only for our consumption. We forget that really, our own image is for ourselves and for our creator. When we view ourselves how He sees us, wen we view our bodies in light of how He designed us, we find peace.

    I feel beautiful when I’m doing what I should be doing. Ok, just kidding, not always. Big fat belly talking here. But it’s the closest I’ve come to having harmony with my appearance.

    This post is fabulous. Good for you, momma. You rock!!

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    • Oh that was so beautifully stated Ashley! Thank you so much!!! And I hear you…I may not always feel pretty or beautiful, but when I’m where in supposed to be doing what God has called me to, being a mom to my little men, that is when I feel beautiful because I know what my heart looks like when I see them. ❤ I’m so glad you liked this and it was encouraging to you!!!

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  22. This is so hilarious, and it is so, so me! My husband showers every single day. I’m lucky to shower twice a week. I just get distracted with more important things. I think my most days gone showerless is four days. But every time I step in the shower, i try to remember the last time I did, and I can never remember.

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  23. I can definitely relate, especially with being a mom to three boys. You know your busy being a good mom/wife when you put others needs before yourself.My goal lately has been to be showered at in “real clothes” (Aka, not my pjs. Yoga pants are totally fine!).You’re doing great!

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  24. I love this post!! I can totally relate. A common question my husband asks me is “how long has it been since you showered?!” But you are so right. Life just gets busy and sometimes between all the diapers and feedings and exercise and play the shower seems to drop to the bottom of my list. Thank you for putting yourself out there and being real. It is such a relief to just see the real life of others! 🙂

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    • Marla, I’m so sorry I’m just now responding to this! Thank you so much for your comment! So glad you could relate and that I could make you feel a little more normal with the mommy life. We are beautiful even in our stink 🙂 Because we are women and we are moms and we love our babies! ❤

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    • Oh Amanda, thank you so much!!! And thank you for sharing it 🙂 I agree, showers are overrated and we will shower again some day when they’re bigger! For now, it’s ok to be a little stinky lol 🙂

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