learning how to revel in the art of ourselves

I remember feeling myself wince a little when my husband showed me that first photo he’d taken of me on this day.

Your favorite photographers have felt it too.

They still creep up on me - my body image issues.

Sometimes my eyes still dart to the things I do not like about myself.

It’s like a feeling you want to run from but you know that you can’t.

Yet, over time I’ve learned there’s something louder that outweighs my negative body image.

I’ve learned to pause and breathe.

It’s in these moments of vulnerability that I’m reminded of the other things, the good things that matter, the things that ring wayyyy louder:

~ a silly ass smile because Travis was making me laugh

~ Maine!!!

~ I was changing in a meadow to take a portrait in one of the most beautiful places I’d ever seen

~ I love my docs, they come everywhere with me

~ I’m so grateful to have a life partner that sees me and takes the picture

~ despite being so fucking tired at that moment we still went on such a cool adventure that day and most importantly, watched my best friend get married on this trip

~ the sun hi we miss her because it’s February in Ohio

Now, all I can think about when I see this picture is how loved I am, how cute that first photo is, and I’m reminded of how much I cried because of how happy I was during this trip. And how worthy every photo of myself is - not just professional, posed ones.

Reveling in the art of ourselves is not a linear journey - but taking the leap to say yes to myself and be the art has lead me to a better mindset towards my body, and better reactions to when I inevitably have weird feelings about my body.

And that is what creates ripples that expand further and further, slowly silencing that mean ass voice we’ve all had somewhere in our heads.

Next time you feel those creeping doubts remember: your body is a testament to your journey that’s been woven just for you with alll of your sunshine and scars and everything in between.

<3