Your self portrait is a dream. Something your kids will hold on to for their lifetime. I really loved this essay because I struggle (STRUGGLE!!) feeling beautiful. I critique pictures of myself and shy away from compliments. I want to say I'm working on this, but I'm not sure what that looks like tbh.
Thank you so much, Kelly! I hope this essay reassured you that you are not alone in these thoughts. It's an on going battle, but recognizing that we don't want to be at war with ourselves is huge.
100% on the compliments part - we deserve them! I'm not sure why it's so hard and something I'm also still working on.
Such a beautiful essay. Love the honesty and vulnerability in your reflections. This part really got me: "We often want to arrive at a place of happiness, but I’ve learned that happiness passes us by if we’re constantly criticizing and worrying about what was, what will be or god forbid, what people might think." Also, that portrait of you is so so stunning!! x
I love the honesty and vulnerability of this post. Be proud of all those younger photos…it’s shaped you to be who you are today, where you are standing today (in Paris!). And that’s a beautiful thing! That we can be filled with so much history, experiences, and change - both the good and the bad - to always become newer and truer versions of ourselves. That behind all the shiny happy photos is a story of grit, determination, heartache, authentic joy and everything in between ❤️
Thank you, Angie ❤️ 100% agree. Through all the happy photos and ones I love, there are many moments (good and bad!) that weren't captured that gave way for me to arrive to this very moment. Truly am grateful for all of it.
Oh my goshhhhhh that self portrait!!!! Stunning 💕 I was thinking the other day about we can never REALLY see ourselves. No mirror is perfectly flat, cameras distort, etc. I wonder if that has to do with how hard we can all be on ourselves. When we look at other people, we’re looking at the real thing. But of course even that is distorted- what we see is heavily influenced by our feelings towards the person. I am shocked with how beautiful I find my children. Or my friends who make me laugh until I’m crying. I want to whisper to my daughter “your face and body are not the story, who you are is the story” and then I wonder why I have such a hard time believing that applies to me. I wish I could see myself through my mother’s eyes. I’m sure she is shocked by how beautiful she finds me as well.
Emily !!! 100000% you said it so well. I agree, even what we see is just a reflection of us. I do not know why it's so hard, but I want to think that with each passing year my distorted view of myself weakens and I allow that energy to become softer and in turn I become more accepting of myself.
Ofelia, WOW. Just wow. I didn’t know I needed this article until I started reading it. I loved learning a little about your mother and your earlier years. It’s always a challenge for me to remember that life isn’t a destination but like you said, valleys we need to walk. And the way you describe feeling beautiful is the most wonderful reminder for me, it’s really not tied to our clothes but who we are.
Thank you for reading, Meg ❤️ 1000% especially with existing in an online space. There is so much beauty to who we are beyond what we wear. Even though, who we are can make clothing, accessories, etc shine :)
Your self portrait is a dream. Something your kids will hold on to for their lifetime. I really loved this essay because I struggle (STRUGGLE!!) feeling beautiful. I critique pictures of myself and shy away from compliments. I want to say I'm working on this, but I'm not sure what that looks like tbh.
Thank you so much, Kelly! I hope this essay reassured you that you are not alone in these thoughts. It's an on going battle, but recognizing that we don't want to be at war with ourselves is huge.
100% on the compliments part - we deserve them! I'm not sure why it's so hard and something I'm also still working on.
Such a beautiful essay. Love the honesty and vulnerability in your reflections. This part really got me: "We often want to arrive at a place of happiness, but I’ve learned that happiness passes us by if we’re constantly criticizing and worrying about what was, what will be or god forbid, what people might think." Also, that portrait of you is so so stunning!! x
Thank you for reading and your kind words, Maria ❤️
I love the honesty and vulnerability of this post. Be proud of all those younger photos…it’s shaped you to be who you are today, where you are standing today (in Paris!). And that’s a beautiful thing! That we can be filled with so much history, experiences, and change - both the good and the bad - to always become newer and truer versions of ourselves. That behind all the shiny happy photos is a story of grit, determination, heartache, authentic joy and everything in between ❤️
Thank you, Angie ❤️ 100% agree. Through all the happy photos and ones I love, there are many moments (good and bad!) that weren't captured that gave way for me to arrive to this very moment. Truly am grateful for all of it.
Your words and photos are beautiful, Ofelia. Thank you for sharing them with us <3
Thank you ❤️
Oh my goshhhhhh that self portrait!!!! Stunning 💕 I was thinking the other day about we can never REALLY see ourselves. No mirror is perfectly flat, cameras distort, etc. I wonder if that has to do with how hard we can all be on ourselves. When we look at other people, we’re looking at the real thing. But of course even that is distorted- what we see is heavily influenced by our feelings towards the person. I am shocked with how beautiful I find my children. Or my friends who make me laugh until I’m crying. I want to whisper to my daughter “your face and body are not the story, who you are is the story” and then I wonder why I have such a hard time believing that applies to me. I wish I could see myself through my mother’s eyes. I’m sure she is shocked by how beautiful she finds me as well.
Emily !!! 100000% you said it so well. I agree, even what we see is just a reflection of us. I do not know why it's so hard, but I want to think that with each passing year my distorted view of myself weakens and I allow that energy to become softer and in turn I become more accepting of myself.
Ofelia, WOW. Just wow. I didn’t know I needed this article until I started reading it. I loved learning a little about your mother and your earlier years. It’s always a challenge for me to remember that life isn’t a destination but like you said, valleys we need to walk. And the way you describe feeling beautiful is the most wonderful reminder for me, it’s really not tied to our clothes but who we are.
Thank you for reading, Meg ❤️ 1000% especially with existing in an online space. There is so much beauty to who we are beyond what we wear. Even though, who we are can make clothing, accessories, etc shine :)