LOVE YOURSELF: Sheila Walker
Isn't it funny how the universe or God puts people in your life? Well Sheila Walker is one of those people for me. I didn’t meet Sheila until 2 years ago through a mutual friend and from that moment on we had many cross over connections. Even our kids were one of those connections! AND Sheila kept popping up in my world. I believe for good reason, we were meant to be friends.
From the first time I met Sheila, I knew she was a SHARP woman but also had such great energy. I’m in a phase of my life where I don’t have capacity for low frequency and only choose to surround myself with people just like Sheila. From the little time that I’ve known Sheila, I can tell that she’s incredibly smart, fun, devoted to her family, fierce, creative, hard working and a woman of faith. I especially love the inspiration behind the name of her business, A Wink of Yellow, and how she shares on social media “Winks of Yellow”. She has great quality pieces that I personally think passes on the positive energy that Sheila exudes.
As a woman owned business in the fashion space, I knew she would be a fantastic person to feature for our LOVE Yourself series. Without further ado…
1. What does “love yourself” mean to you?
Loving yourself means acknowledging and accepting all of you - the parts you love, the parts you’re proud of, the parts you struggle with, and every chapter of your story. It’s having grace for all of it.
In recent years, especially after turning 50, I’ve really come to believe that beauty is all-encompassing. It’s not just physical - it’s intelligence, life experience, mindset, and outlook. The magic truly lives in the whole of who you are.
2. Did you have someone who modeled positive body image growing up?
I grew up surrounded mostly by women, and it was an environment filled with confidence and encouragement - not just about how we looked, but about how capable and smart we were. We were constantly told that we could do anything if we worked hard enough.
We were also told we were beautiful often, and it was always reinforced that being natural was best - less makeup, no pressure to change ourselves, even down to things like dyeing our hair. That really stuck with me. Of course, like everyone, I’ve had things I wished were different, but I didn’t dye my hair until my late 20s or early 30s, and I still don’t do Botox. I’m not against it, I’m just very sensitive to skincare products, so I tend to leave my skin alone - and that mindset has stayed with me.
3. Do you criticize your body out loud, or do you praise it?
When I was younger, I could definitely be hard on myself. I wished for more muscle tone, better hair, a few more inches of height 😊- all the usual things . I did vocalize those frustrations at times, and I’m grateful for family and friends who gently shut that down.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much more gracious with myself. I’ve realized I’m pretty lucky - being naturally petite, having skin and hair that I’ve learned to appreciate. That said, I’ll probably never stop wishing I were three to five inches taller.
4. Are you actively working on your mindset around body image, or is it neutral?
I’d say my mindset is pretty neutral now. I’m very aware that many of the things I want are within my control - exercising if I want to feel stronger, eating better if I want to feel healthier, taking care of my skin if I want it to look its best.
My focus is really on what I can control versus wishing for things that simply won’t change - like being taller or having the body I had in my 20s. Honestly, my 40s have been my favorite decade. I’ve never felt healthier, stronger, or more confident.
5. Is there someone you’re trying to set a healthy example for?
My daughter, Kayla - absolutely. And honestly, just in general. I tell her all the time how beautiful she is exactly as she is and how God made her.
Teenagers today are so into skincare, and I always remind her that most of the time, less really is more. Our bodies are pretty amazing, and I believe there’s a lot of value in trusting them, taking care of them gently, and being kind to ourselves along the way. At every stage of life, it really comes down to balance and doing what feels right for you.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that loving yourself isn’t about getting everything right - it’s about showing up for yourself with a little more grace. It’s appreciating where you are, honoring your story, and finding joy in the small, everyday moments. That mindset shapes how I try and live, how I parent, and how I create - with intention, heart, and a lot of appreciation for individuality.