Sizing Up

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sizing up changing ring sizeI have had two kids. I have gone up and down in my clothes size in the last ten years. Even my shoe size has changed frequently. This is not shocking. So I don’t know why I would be shocked that the same jewelry I have been wearing for the last 13 years would suddenly start to not fit. 

It started out small. I spend a majority of my day sitting at a desk on a computer. While working from home, I generally don’t put any jewelry on. When I would go to put it on when leaving the house it started to get harder to push over my knuckle. Then it started to get harder to get off and I would panic. A few days in the summer I couldn’t get it on at all and just wouldn’t wear it. 

I stopped in to get my ring cleaned and the jeweler noticed my finger had a rash on it – from the ring being too small. She suggested sizing up my ring.

All the pieces fell together, and at first I felt shame.

I made a comment about how the hot weather always makes my fingers swell. 

But then I thought about all the times when it wasn’t hot, or wasn’t cold, or I wasn’t retaining water and I still couldn’t get my ring on. 

After wearing my ring for 13 years, I finally decided it was time to size it up. My body is not the same as it was when I was 21. Every other part of me has changed with getting older and having kids, I am not sure why it was so shocking that the small piece of metal I wear on my finger wasn’t fitting anymore. 

So why is this realization important?

Because it is OK to not be the same size.

It is OK to accept that your body has changed.

When I got my ring back and it actually fit, I cried.

I cried because I am not sure why it took me so long to think this was OK. I cried because the body I once had is a long lost memory. I cried because I am an emotional person and sometimes changes make me cry.  

Mamas (and papas) – it is OK to size up your ring. It is OK to accept that your body has changed. If you have been putting this task off because you are ashamed, I URGE you to stop judging your finger size. Whether it is your wedding ring, a family heirloom, or just a piece of jewelry you love, don’t stop yourself from wearing it because it doesn’t fit. 

Have you had to change sizes?

4 COMMENTS

  1. True story. 22 year old Kara is not the same as 34 year old Kara. The older Kara is wiser and a whole lot smarter and definitely heavier. And that’s okay. Grace over grace.

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