“Mom, I know you hate your scar, but I like it. I mean, your forehead would be SO boring without it.”

My 10 year-old son Hunter said this to me as I kissed him goodnight this week. My forehead was exposed, covered in castor oil, as I tried to ease a migraine.

I’ve always hidden that scar behind bangs because, for years, I saw it as a flaw. Something wrong, something I needed to cover up.

But his words made me pause.

How many of us do the same thing—hide or criticize our bodies because we feel they don't measure up?

And what do our loved ones really see?

We hide scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, or any change that comes with age, because we’re told that’s not “beautiful.”

I recently read that 50% of women avoid looking in the mirror.

Can you relate? I know I do.

The thing is, so much of how we see ourselves is shaped by external messages—from the media, from society, from family and friends.

We’ve been taught what beauty “should” look like, what it’s supposed to be. These standards tell us that we are “less than”—that we don’t fit some impossible ideal.

We’ve absorbed these messages for so long, it's easy to forget that we’re the ones who get to define beauty for ourselves.

In my work, both personally and with clients, I want to shift that narrative.

It’s about unlearning the external rules that have told us what beauty is, and instead, embracing the truth of who we really are.

Every scar, every change, every mark tells the story of our lives—of our wisdom, strength, and growth. And our resilience.

I snapped this picture right after this conversation with my son.

My forehead scar tells the story of a time when I was a single mom, battling a random virus on my forehead and so many other things.

As we go through different stages in life—especially during times like perimenopause or menopause—our bodies change in ways we may not expect.

It can feel jarring, even unsettling. But these changes, like our scars, are part of us.

They reflect the wisdom we’ve gained and the strength we’ve built over the years.

I want to encourage you to look at yourself with more curiosity.

Start here.

Looking at yourself with more kindness and love will be easier over time.

See the beauty in the marks and changes that tell the story of who you are and who you’ve become.

I know it's not easy. It's going to take practice. I am practicing too...

With lots of love,

Rachel

I’d love to hear about one of your scars, and the story it tells...

We're in this together, always learning, always growing. You're so valuable.

About Rachel Carta, RN

As a Registered Nurse, Functional Nutrition Counselor, and Life Coach, I specialize in helping women with low energy, digestive issues, hormone imbalances, brain fog, mood swings, and overwhelm. You CAN live a life where you wake up with energy, feel good throughout the day, and no longer feel like your body has turned against you. Schedule a free session and let's talk. You can find yourself again.

RachelCartaRN.com