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I know, self-portraiture can sometimes be a bit scary.
Because, there is so much unknown to it.
Will the same story I always see in my photos be reflected back at me?
Will it feel like proof of some of the stories I believe about myself?
Will I just feel ugly, or invisible, or not enough?
Or maybe we are just absolutely sure we know what the result of taking a self-portrait will be. Because we only know the story we’ve always seen in our photos, one that feels like proof of the way we might feel about ourselves or our bodies.
For real, I get all of this.
Cause I’ve been there.
This is exactly how I felt at first and every so often I get a wave of it coming back at me.
Here’s the thing though.
What it is so easy to miss when we are totally ready to see the same-old photos that we expect we’ll see…that we forget about possibility.
When folks join me for the Be Your Own Beloved class it is truly one of my favourite things to see, when they awaken to the possibility.
That we might, for the first time, see a photo of ourselves that we recognize with kind eyes.
That we might be wrong about not being photogenic, that we actually might not hate taking photos of ourselves.
That we might in fact be able to take photos of ourselves we feel really proud of, that make us feel seen.
That they can not only take photos of ourselves that we like, but that we might find our voice again.
That it isn’t about getting a ‘perfect’ picture. Its about creating space to let ourselves be witnessed, by ourselves & others.
It is possibility.
That doesn’t mean that we won’t also take those photos that tell those old stories. The key is that when we are open to that possibility, we get both of those kinds of photos and we (maybe for the first time) get to really choose and take the reigns of how we get to see ourselves.
For me it was a turning point. It made me realize that I knew in my heart I wouldn’t look back on this time in my life and especially in these photos with regret and wish my body was different, or that I was thinner. But I knew that there was major potential for me to look back and regret not looking at this point of my life and choose to see myself with love.
I needed to start being a part of the visual story of my own life.
Yes, we might find ourselves taking photos that bring up our inner critic but we will also likely take ones that make us smile wide and we will be given the chance to choose self-compassion over self-critique.
So, lets open ourselves to the possibility of a new way of seeing ourselves.
Even if that feels scary (especially if it feels scary)
Even if we hate having our photo taken and self-portraits feel really vulnerable.
Even if self-compassion feels really far away.
I have a new session of Be Your Own Beloved coming up and I hope that if this resonates, you’ll join me. This class isn’t created for people who already feel wildly confident and don’t struggle with seeing themselves with kindness. It is for folks (like me) who have had the weight of a negative self-image on our shoulders for far too long and are ready for change.
It was created because these are the tools that I most needed at the point in my life when it felt like I was fed up with so much self-hate and was ready to find some ways to change that (and yes, it was terrifying). I created Be Your Own Beloved because these are the tools I still need to strengthen and ground in a place of self-compassion each and every day.
I also wanted to share with you that there are a few changes ahead for the Be Your Own Beloved class after the February Session (don’t worry, the core prompts & structure are all staying the same…I’m just adding in some extra awesomeness) and there will also be a price change. So if you’d like to take the class at the super affordable price of $49, this is your session!
I can’t wait to explore the possibility that will unfold in this class with you and am so excited to invite you into this experience of seeing yourself with more compassion!