Photo Challenge

Hello All!

I know I haven't updated my blog in FOREVER, but between my computer breaking a few months ago, and transitioning to a new job, it's been hard to write anything on here.

So. Updates....

I started working in a local bakery last month as a baker/pastry chef, and I absolutely love it! It's hard work, and going to work at 2am is somewhat hard to get used to, but I feel that I am learning fast, and I feel myself getting stronger every day.

Day 1 - My 23rd Birthday!

 

 



My birthday was last month, and I decided that this year I would challenge myself to take a picture of myself every day. Now, this doesn't sound overly exciting, and possibly vaguely narcissistic, but I have my reasons.

First, I want to see how I change throughout the year, since we are not often aware of any changes that occur to ourselves throughout the year, it's only in looking back that we actually see them.

Second, although I know that so far my pictures have consisted of quite a few "selfies", I want to be able to document experiences I have throughout the year, and I am hoping that this will also inspire me to make new memories, and take part in more exciting  experiences.

And, thirdly, I see this as an art project of sorts, documenting both my good and bad days. I have already had a few photos where I am half awake (and look it), several without any sort of makeup, and I am ok with that. I feel that too often we only post the "good" pictures of ourselves, that have been prepared for and edited, and I feel that we lose our humanness through these pictures.
I know for a fact, that most of the time I don't look like that gorgeous picture I posted three weeks ago, after a half hour of trying to get my winged eyeliner just right, followed by 20 snapshots to get the lighting just right, and another 5-10 minutes spent choosing the perfect filter.

And you know why I don't look like that 24/7?

I AM HUMAN

I have scars. My left eye turns in, and up until my teens I was considered legally blind in that eye, because my eyesight was 20/200 and worse. I have flat feet. I am 23 and already am getting grey hair. I have anxiety. I have cellulite and stretch marks, and my boobs sag a little bit. I will never have a "thigh gap", and I am more than ok with that.

But in spite of all of these "flaws" that society makes us think we have to feel sorry for having, I know I am beautiful. So my left eye isn't great? My eyes are both beautiful, and the vision in that eye has improved over the years, and it's better than perfect in my other eye.

Cellulite? Grey Hair? Stretchmarks? Boob saggage? I have two beautiful six year olds to thank for that, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Lack of thigh gap? My thighs are muscular and strong, and I know I can count on them to get me to where I need to be.

I look at my body, and my existence as a work of art. Every scar tells a story and every experience I've had, has made me the woman I am today.

So this is why I am really participating in this challenge. I want to share all of those moments, good and bad, to show how very human I am.

That's all for tonight folks!

See you soon!

~ Hannah ♥