Photography: Kendra Blair
Hair: Danielle June "Madame Pompadour"
Makeup: Charlotte Paul
Jacket: Kim Kardashian for Bebe Similar Similar
Faux Leather Leggings: Spanx
Hair: Danielle June "Madame Pompadour"
Makeup: Charlotte Paul
Jacket: Kim Kardashian for Bebe Similar Similar
Faux Leather Leggings: Spanx
Boots: YSL Tribute Platform Bootie
Handbag: YSL Medium Loulou
Lace Tank: Similar
Hello! How are you doing today? I had some old photos that I never posted from my fall photo shoot, so I thought I would post them anyway. I usually work full-time and have to do blog photos on the weekends. How do you organize your photo shoots?
It's been no secret that things have been pretty tough for me lately. I have been through a lot! As perfect as we make our blog photos look online and on Instagram, we all know that this is probably the only place that our version of perfection exists. Holding onto this unrealistic ideal can be painful in real life. Comparison and competition amongst us can be challenging and can lead to an unhealthy mindset about our bodies and ourselves. After dealing with an eating disorder for almost 15 years and overcoming it, I now believe that I can be my own best self not in comparison to anyone else. I also believe that God created us in his perfect image without making a mistake.
What do you believe?
What do you believe?
For a long time I thought that I wasn't "pretty enough" "smart enough" "skinny enough" or "good enough" to deserve love and happiness. It was an awful way to live.
Have you ever felt this way?
Thankfully, someone close to me had a stern yet caring intervention talk with me about going to rehab and getting help to heal from my destructive eating habits. I had to leave work for two months, but it was the most important two months of my life. It changed me in ways I could never have imagined and I truly feel that I owe my life to that center.
In case you wanted to know where I healed, it was located in Long Beach, CA at a center called Shoreline on 2nd street in Belmont Shore. So, in case you ever wonder why I love Long Beach so much, it is not only because the people in the community are exceptionally friendly, but mainly because it was the city that housed the center where I healed. Shoreline is equipped with the most knowledgeable caring therapists and staff that helped save my life. I'm definitely not the same person I was then that I am now, and I am truly grateful for that experience.
Have you ever felt this way?
Thankfully, someone close to me had a stern yet caring intervention talk with me about going to rehab and getting help to heal from my destructive eating habits. I had to leave work for two months, but it was the most important two months of my life. It changed me in ways I could never have imagined and I truly feel that I owe my life to that center.
In case you wanted to know where I healed, it was located in Long Beach, CA at a center called Shoreline on 2nd street in Belmont Shore. So, in case you ever wonder why I love Long Beach so much, it is not only because the people in the community are exceptionally friendly, but mainly because it was the city that housed the center where I healed. Shoreline is equipped with the most knowledgeable caring therapists and staff that helped save my life. I'm definitely not the same person I was then that I am now, and I am truly grateful for that experience.
I also wanted to share with you that I learned radical-self acceptance is...
- Letting go of what other people think.
- The belief that one self has value.
- Acceptance of personal flaws, weaknesses, or mistakes.
- The belief in your ability to overcome challenges.
- Realizing what we can and cannot control.
- Accepting what is right now without judging.
Let me know how you enjoyed this post in the comments below and I hope you have a wonderful week!
With Love,
Joanna
With Love,
Joanna
Love.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful outfit. I shoot outfit posts when both my husband and I have time to do so. Sometimes it's every week and sometimes weeks go by without snapping a photo. I sometimes wish I could plan 'proper' outfit photos, plan location and everything but I think sharing unplanned & spontaneous photos has its perks.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you were able to overcome your food disorder. Thank you for sharing your experience. Food disorders are hard because they affect every aspect of our life. To live without proper nutrition is very hard. I'm trying hard to control my weight but because of Chron disease sometimes I experience weight losses. When I'm underweight I always struggle to compose my thoughts. I read somewhere when our bodies lack body fat, it makes it hard for our brain to work. I don't struggle much with body confidence and that kind of self-perception, but I do struggle with side affects of not being able to have a constant & healthy diet. Sometimes I feel very week, and it is depressing not to be able to be as physically active as I was.
I think there is a world a difference between what we show on social media and what we go through in real life. There is nothing wrong with snapping a pretty photo, but we should be aware that we are all unique and have unique paths in life. There is no such thing as one life fits all. When we are not well, we need to take time to heal.
I think most of us struggle with self-confidence. When I was young I always felt that I was not smart enough or good enough.... and I only learned how smart I was when I tried to join the military officer program (one of those programs where you study at a military academy). I was rejected because of poor health, but the examiners were very impressed with how high I scored on all the tests. It was the first time I realized that I was quite smart. I remember sitting in that room, doing all those IQ tests, and not understanding why everyone else is having difficulties with them because they seemed so easy to me.
It's sad how for most of my life I thought I was stupid, and felt bad about it.
I read that it is actually always the case with intelligent people. It is always the less intelligent who see themselves as very smart and capable (in psychology it is called Dunning- Kruger effect), and those who have high IQ almost always underrate they capabilities and tend to be extremely self-critical.
This is a beautiful outfit. I love the all black styling! Gorgeous boots. Perfect hairdo and make up. You look amazing!
Thank you for your reciprocity! I agree with your third paragraph where you say we have unique paths in life. There are many different ways to get to the same place.
DeleteWow, I'm going to look more into this Dunning-Kruger effect. That's so interesting.
Glad you enjoyed the post, talk to you soon!
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Joanna. I'm so glad you were healed at such a great center. I wish you nothing but success continuing forward. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Lindsey. =) You as well!
DeleteMuy guapa... te sienta genial el negro... un saludo desde Murcia y feliz verano.
ReplyDeleteMuchas Gracias!
DeleteBeautiful text, I'm happy that you healed! It's hard to accept ourselves but we have to understand nobody is perfect and we should love even our imperfections, they make us unique. The photos of this post are awesome too, I love the outfit ^^
ReplyDeletexx
Hi Hari! Thanks for sharing and I'm glad you enjoyed it. =)
DeleteThis is so important Joanna.
ReplyDeleteWe can never reach anything in life (most of all happiness) when you don't accept yourself. Amazing story my dear.
take a look at my BLOG and my INSTAGRAM
I agree, thanks for sharing and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteStunning outfit and a beautifully written post - thanks so much for sharing such an important message.
ReplyDeleteHeather xoxo
https://www.hefafa.me.uk
Hi Heather! You're welcome. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteHi dear, first of all I love love your outfit. secondly I like that you shared your story. I have been in such a situation before but i had no one to tell me or convince me to do something. I stayed in a bad relationship for five years with so much emotional hurt. I finally got out of it and I am a more happier person. So when you talk about self acceptance I know exactly what you mean. In period of one year I have been able to achieve a lot when it comes to my personal growth. I am able to say no when there is need to. Kisses!
ReplyDeleteHello!
DeleteWow, thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you persevered, keep it up.
You're so beautiful and your outfit is amazing!
ReplyDeleteBeijos/Kisses.
Anete Oliveira
Blog Coisitas e Coisinhas
Fanpage
Instagram
Aw, thank you. =)
Delete