I took a look around my house not too long ago and realized that I had only one picture of myself on display. Just one! It was a black-and-white shot from my wedding day, a moment captured 14 years ago, where you can only see my back as I danced with my husband. Why would I choose that as the only image to show guests when they enter?
I’ve never been a fan of having my photo taken. Unlike my fabulous friends, I’m not exactly a natural in front of the camera. Over the years, I developed a knack for avoiding the lens, always finding an excuse to hide behind it. I would obsess over imperfections: my smile, my hair, my nose, my thighs — the list goes on.
I avoided photos so much that I ended up missing out on capturing precious moments with my kids. No Christmas, Easter, or Mother’s Day pictures. I was the designated photographer for every milestone, but you wouldn’t find me in their first-day-of-school shots or birthdays. Their baby books? A glaring absence of me, the mom. I tucked away a few photos from when they were newborns, taken by friends during visits, but they were stashed in a drawer. My kids were my muse, but I didn’t feel worthy of being in the frame.
Then, something changed. I stumbled upon a post by a woman named Kate on Facebook. She shared a raw, unfiltered selfie for her 40th birthday, no makeup, just her beautiful self with long braids cascading down her chest. She opened up about her insecurities, and I was captivated. When I looked at her picture, I didn’t see the flaws she spoke of; I saw a whole person who embraced herself.
After being a mom for over a decade, I finally realized how ridiculous and sad it was to hide from the camera. If I couldn’t love myself, how could I expect others to? We all have things we wish were different, but what’s truly stunning is when we embrace our complete selves — imperfections and all. I might not fit the mold of conventional beauty, but I’m living life, and I want my kids to remember that I was part of their journey.
We often fixate on our physical attributes and think, “If only I had a better body, nicer hair, or flawless skin…” But when I see your photos, I see you as a whole person — and you’re beautiful just as you are. So, snap that selfie! Whether you’re dressed up, in your PJs, or feeding the baby, capture those moments. Ask a stranger to take a family picture; it’ll bring smiles, and trust me, life is too fleeting to worry about perfect hair or makeup.
Let’s stop viewing ourselves as mere fragments and start appreciating the complete picture. When I see your image, I see the real you, and by sharing yourself, you might help another woman see her own worth too.
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In summary, let’s embrace our unique selves and capture the moments that matter. Don’t let insecurities hold you back from being part of your family’s memories.