For a moment I thought about not posting this epic photo!
I'll be real.. when I first looked at it I instantly said to myself in my head.. 'well that's not the best photo Jessica you don't look very fit, your tummy doesn't look as flat/toned as usual because heaven forbid you are leaning forward.' I have no makeup on, which to an outsider yeah my skin looks glowing.. which it is now & I barely wear any make-up! But for years I suffered from cystic acne & it deeply affected the way I viewed myself & my self-confidence. I would cover it up the best I could & it was a constant burden hoping no one would notice or look at it. I always ate well, but I was easily stressed, in toxic relationships & beat myself up constantly for the smallest thing.
Then one fine day I learnt that acne can be a direct reflection of how you view yourself, speak to yourself & honour yourself.
Then I felt into this space & realised that that's the 'dialect diet' of how SO many women & men speak to themselves every single day! Seriously why are we so hard on ourselves? Why do we find every minor thing to scrutinise? Why do we judge & speak to ourselves & body in a way that if anyone else did we would be hurt or upset? It's self-sabotaging & fear based.
Dear sister or brother reading this, it's time for you to be kind to your self, your body & your heart.
It's been the most beautiful journey inspiring myself to speak kind, gentle words to myself & catching myself when I don't, without judgement acknowledging it & navigating fiercely loving myself for exactly who I am in that moment.
But seriously.... this capture I was lost in the moment laughing & SO freaking happy, so at peace, surrounded by the best company in mama nature. I am healthy, I am happy & I nourish my body with good food & kind words daily. Why isn't this a freaking epic photo?
How is it even real for women & men to think that capturing the perfect shot of what society perceives as 'perfect' rather than you being imperfectly YOU!
I know you all love a bare skin, good vibes, big grins & swinging from a tree in a handmade basket kinda picture.
I know I sure do.
#glowbabyglow