Steph’s Fierce Reflections

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When I was younger I had an eating disorder and it took a long time for me to recognise that it was an issue. When you’re permanently shown unrealistic images – thighs with no cellulite, bellies that don’t roll – that’s what you think is normal and you beat yourself up. I still have to work through it all the time, but now that I'm older I can talk myself down from those feelings.

Inner confidence, and self-assuredness – these are the qualities that make a warrior woman. These days I have a confidence that I didn’t have as a teenager. It makes me feel like I'm able to do anything. – Steph Douglas

As you get older you start to see a beauty in women of all different ages and looks. Spending so much time worrying and thinking about it when I was younger was wasted energy. When you’re older you realise time is so precious.

Now I'm pregnant with my third child my body has changed so much – it’s weird to get your head around. A lot of images that you see of pregnant people are slim models with a pregnancy bump. And actually when you’re pregnant your thighs spread, your arms spread, your face spreads… but why shouldn’t you let it all hang out a bit?

What’s been so great about the Warrior Woman photoshoot is being able to be real in front of other people. I write a blog and I’m quite honest about my life on Instagram – my washing is normally in the background and the kids can look a bit feral – that’s an honesty that I hope people can see in the photos. Real beauty shines through when someone is comfortable in her own skin.

Inner confidence, and self-assuredness – those are the qualities that make a warrior woman.

These days I have a confidence that I didn’t have as a teenager. It makes me feel like I'm able to do anything.

To find out more about Steph and her beauty journey, follow her Instagram account @Steph_dontbuyherflowers