Jessica Simpson opens up about bikini pics, self-love and her go-to beauty ritual
It wasn't too long ago that Jessica Simpson did something that she hadn't in a very long time.
The singer and businesswoman posted a selfie-style photo of herself wearing a patterned two-piece swim look, sunglasses, a hat and a bright smile while vacationing with her family in Cabo.
"I have gained and lost 100lbs 3x so I never thought this moment could or would happen, but I'm finally spring breakin' wearin' a bikini," Simpson captioned the photo.
Since posting, many fans have shared their love for the pic and loads of comments echoed how great she looked and that she also could have posted herself in a bikini at any size.
"I just never thought that I would be in a bikini again," Simpson told "GMA." "I was so proud of myself, and I just wanted to share it with people -- just how important it is to not give up on yourself and how important it is to know that the impossible is possible -- even with simple things."
Reflecting back on her role as Daisy Duke in the 2005 film version of "Dukes of Hazzard," where she was often seen wearing a short pair of denim cutoff shorts and crop tops, Simpson called out how it made her feel like the role set her up for body shaming for the rest of her life. "I could never take it back, but I don't accept the shame," she said.
"We don't accept the shame," Simpson continued. "I'm so proud of women today for embracing themselves and where they are in the moment."
To get to the level of confidence she needed to share her bikini pic, Simpson mentioned "hard work, determination and self-love."
The busy mom, business owner and entertainer -- who recently partnered with allergy relief brand Flonase -- explained the importance and presence of self-care and self-love in her life.
What does self-love look like for Jessica Simpson?
Simpson explained that for her, self-love starts with understanding all of one's unique qualities, including everything from what others may find off-putting to some of a person's biggest strengths.
"I think loving all parts of yourself is a hard thing, but it also is the only way you can achieve it, it's to understand what that means, to understand what love is," she said. "There is no way that you can love others as deeply as they deserve until you love yourself that deeply. And we deserve our own love first. And then from that love, it's very easily shared, and it's very believable."
While the "I Wanna Love You Forever" singer admitted that she's had to find ways to love herself through very hard times, she said she's learned to accept and love what normal looks like for her.
"Whatever struggles that you're going through, once you're on the other side of those struggles, it is very empowering," Simpson added. "And I am a true testament to that in my career."
For Simpson, self-love also comes along with self-care practices that include beauty rituals such as red light therapy, which is a treatment that uses low wavelength red light to reportedly improve skin's appearance, according to Cleveland Clinic, as well as grounding routines and sitting in stillness.
"The last days of being 39, I was like, 'I might look a little different,' and I was like, 'I need red light therapy," she said. "So I definitely jumped on the train with all the red light. And I think that improves your mood as well, but it's also taking those 20 minutes of stillness."
Simpson continued on to share how finding a little time to yourself or taking at least a few minutes to pamper yourself can make a positive difference in your day.
"We all deserve happiness," Simpson said. "We all deserve to really own ourselves. And I've just really had that freedom in this last year, and it's beautiful. So for the people that do have dreams, that do want to empower others, just keep believing that you are a part of the change ... because you are."
