Golden Oldie

My good friend (and even better photographer Dario) spent some time with me yesterday, taking some images for upcoming blogs & promotional work.

I wanted shots which reflected me - where I am now as a woman mentally & physically - comfortable in my own skin and focusing on a very positive mindset.

In my 20's & 30's and indeed into my late 40's, I never achieved a sense of ease in myself as a person, I never really discovered the mental strength to push myself away from what was a comfortable existence day to day - it wasn't particularly fulfilling, but at the time I guess it was comfortable.

I think it can take some people a very long time to take an honest look at their lives, its not an easy process and perhaps it takes a catalyst to pull it all together. That catalyst for me was quitting smoking breaking a nearly 30 year addiction, brought with it a new sense of strength & courage, the other areas of my life examined and found to be lacking in purpose - a day job which I tolerated to pay the bills - some of those bills for useless lifestyle choices I simply did not need.

Over the last 7 years I have challenged myself - I have faced fears head on, some of which have left scars but good scars of learning & moving on, I have done things which scare the hell out of me, things which are never guaranteed to succeed - but that uncertainty is surely what makes the challenge.

I have met & become friends with the most amazing people!

Everyone says life is short - and its true, I do believe that we all get in a habit of existing not living, and half the stuff we surround ourselves with we really don't need and in a society where we are expected to conform to image, we end up feeling stress & pressure - I don't have any magical fix, I can only advise occasionally having a chat with your reflection & see if whats looking & talking back is where you want to be!

Much love & respect

#neveraverage

Images (c) Dario