Perfectly Imperfect: Raw reflections on body image, mothering, love and loneliness

by Ailsa Robson

Do you wonder if you are ever going to feel 'good enough'? Ailsa bares all in her raw journal entries written whilst raising her babies, often alone, due to her husband’s Fly In and Fly Out (FIFO) work commitments. She reflects on the golden and gut-wrenching moments of mothering and life, whilst contemplating how she feels about her relationships and her ever-changing body. If you hate dieting and want to like yourself more, feel stuck in your own unrealistic expectations, and often care more for others than yourself; you are not alone. Ailsa offers an alternative to striving to be the best version of yourself ‒ instead embrace your dodgy bits and give thanks. This is Ailsa’s first book, originally written in the form of a private blog, as a cathartic escape from her ever changing life. This collection of raw reflections were never meant to be shared publicly but with hindsight it's apparent that Ailsa’s stories resonate with women as they ask themselves the universal questions am I good enough? and am I alone in my feelings? Delve in and you will - you are not alone-you are simply doing your best-and you do not need to apologise for your ‘imperfections’ Ailsa Robson is a water baby, incessant muser and writer, and someone who always looks for the silver lining. She lives in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, with her family and their feisty tabby cat. Ailsa is a passionate advocate for Health At Every Size principles and shakes her tail-feather with joy, regardless of how big her butt is. She runs her own private psychotherapy practice, and can often be seen in less than sharp active-wear, during walk and talk therapy sessions with clients. What readers are saying Through sharing her innermost thoughts, pain and internal conflict, Ailsa will unsettle you and challenge you at times. And she will offer valuable insights, which no doubt will play a part in the reader's own transformation. - Dr Cate Howell I admire Ailsa for sharing her deeply personal story with others. Her journey has resonated with me on many levels and I know other readers will feel the same. It is raw, touching and inspiring. - Tania Whether you are a self-awareness journey-person, someone who enjoys diary/blog reading or simply curious folk, this book helps to keep it real, and lets others in on life where we can all be less than perfect mums, friends, partners or lovers. The vulnerability shown is a strength because everyone is facing their own version of pain/trauma/trouble. - Cate This book spoke to me. So much of what Ailsa wrote, I could relate to in my life. Not just the parts about body image and weight-loss and the struggle to be perfect but also when she spoke about marriage and the struggle to keep romance alive when you have young kids and your focus is elsewhere. I feel like I’ve made a new friend through reading this book. - Renee

224 pages, Paperback

Published January 3, 2019

About the author

Ailsa Robson is a water baby, incessant muser and writer, and someone who always looks for the silver lining. She lives in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, with her family and their feisty alley cat. She is a Counsellor, Psychotherapist and a passionate Health At Every Size advocate. She runs her own private psychotherapy practice and can often be seen shaking her butt in less than sharp active wear, grinning like a Cheshire cat!

New memoir, Perfectly Imperfect is a refreshing celebration of not being perfect. Brave and inspiring, it is a raw account of author, Ailsa Robson’s struggles with her body image, the ups and downs of motherhood, love and loneliness as she begins to accept herself, flaws and all.

At times unsettling and challenging, yet other times humorous and witty, Ailsa shares her innermost thoughts, pain and turmoil in the form of unfiltered journal entries – as she takes readers through her journey of acceptance, growth and transformation.

The book morphed from Ailsa’s private blog. A safe place where Ailsa reflected on life as she was raising her babies, often alone due to her husband’s Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) work, and while undergoing weight loss surgeries and diets that Ailsa thought were going to be life changing. The surgeries and diets didn’t change life, but writing became a way of making sense of her lonely days, changing identity and of course her ever-changing body.

“As I re-read my blog entries, I began thinking how my writing could resonate with so many women as they struggle with the questions: Am I good enough? Am I alone in my feelings? So I began the process of collating my blog entries into a book and found myself sharing the stories that I never dreamt would go to print when I wrote them! Reading the book is like reading someone else’s diary – but with permission!” Says Ailsa.

Reviews

[Anita Waclawik]

This book is an intensely raw and personal journey though the author's life. The journey has highs and lows but you can't help but follow this piece of writing because it gives you a sense that the physical, emotional and spiritual are at times in conflict and then at peace. Ever changing as life is it is a story of hope. It is for any person that struggles with body image and the tyranny of perfectionism in Australian society.

[Jenn]

The author is my colleague through Instagram, an insta-friend from the other side of the world. She emailed me the .pdf of this book, so that I could read it. What a gift! Her book is a vulnerable collection of previously private blog posts about her complicated relationship with her body. Starting just before she undergoes lap band surgery, Ailsa shares her process of moving toward HAES, intuitive eating/movement, and self-acceptance. Like most growth, Ailsa's process has a lot of ups and downs, steps forward and back.
Some may find this process triggering to their ED, so consider this if you are still in the midst of disordered eating yourself. My favorite part of her story is the end when she reflects about all of the important inner shifts she made toward intuitive living, body acceptance, and a more authentic life. Oh, and of course, I loved reading a journal from an Australian. I had to google netball. It looks like fun! Thank you, Ailsa!