I don’t know if you consciously chose to emulate your 7-year-old self’s pose in the self-portrait in front of your purple wall (!), but I LOVE it! Whether intentional or not, it feels like something coming full circle. A little nod to the person you've always been 😊
P.S. I’m a new reader and so pleased to have discovered your writing and photographs. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. It’s beautiful!
I need to tell you about my 8th grade perm while I was at a new school, with my black and white hair and albino skin. Oh lordy was I awkward too!
I wish young people could see these perspectives or have elders they respect share because we do tell ourselves all these stories and for what? To not realize how our true selves are cool. But maybe that’s just part of the process to learning to love yourself. I just wish it didn’t take so long.
Ugh, I’ve been through the name-change trauma three times (marriage, divorce, remarriage) and the logistics of it are staggering, let alone the identity crisis. I’ve often wished I could pull a Cheryl Strayed and make up my own last name, but my state doesn’t allow it without going to court. I always wanted to be Liz Wilder (because of my affinity for the outdoors, and because there are Wilders on both my mom and dad’s family tree).
Girl, you were always uber-cool in my eyes — I thought I could never hope to be as smart or beautiful as the chic, talented girl I met that summer in DC before we jaunted off to LSE! Isn’t it funny how we see ourselves vs. how others view us?
This is so beautiful - and I identify hugely. I've nearly changed my first name many times in the last year. I'm still not sure. For now, she is my alter ego and protagonist of the book of my life. Hope you're doing ok :)
I don’t know if you consciously chose to emulate your 7-year-old self’s pose in the self-portrait in front of your purple wall (!), but I LOVE it! Whether intentional or not, it feels like something coming full circle. A little nod to the person you've always been 😊
P.S. I’m a new reader and so pleased to have discovered your writing and photographs. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. It’s beautiful!
I need to tell you about my 8th grade perm while I was at a new school, with my black and white hair and albino skin. Oh lordy was I awkward too!
I wish young people could see these perspectives or have elders they respect share because we do tell ourselves all these stories and for what? To not realize how our true selves are cool. But maybe that’s just part of the process to learning to love yourself. I just wish it didn’t take so long.
Ugh, I’ve been through the name-change trauma three times (marriage, divorce, remarriage) and the logistics of it are staggering, let alone the identity crisis. I’ve often wished I could pull a Cheryl Strayed and make up my own last name, but my state doesn’t allow it without going to court. I always wanted to be Liz Wilder (because of my affinity for the outdoors, and because there are Wilders on both my mom and dad’s family tree).
Girl, you were always uber-cool in my eyes — I thought I could never hope to be as smart or beautiful as the chic, talented girl I met that summer in DC before we jaunted off to LSE! Isn’t it funny how we see ourselves vs. how others view us?
ooooh Liz. I love this one. I never knew you felt lonely, because you made everyone around you feel so special and seen.
This is so beautiful - and I identify hugely. I've nearly changed my first name many times in the last year. I'm still not sure. For now, she is my alter ego and protagonist of the book of my life. Hope you're doing ok :)