Reflecting on the Year 🌟
As December sets in, I like to reflect on the year and all the things I’m proud of. One standout moment? Submitting to my first art show since college (longer ago than I’d like to admit 🙃).
🎨 This was a local show for trans and queer people of all ages, focused on the trans experience. Initially, I struggled with what to create. I ended up making one piece for the show and later worked on another that became more personal—a “wind-down” project just for me.
Turning Imperfections into Art
I started with random marks but wasn’t happy with how it looked. As I worked, I kept noticing my own body—cellulite, stretch marks, rosacea—all the things society tells us aren’t beautiful. But I’ve grown to appreciate these markers of my journey.
They’re proof I’ve made it this far, much farther than I ever thought I would. I wanted to take those so-called imperfections and recontextualize them into something traditionally perceived as beautiful: a landscape.
🌿 It’s funny to me how universally people see beauty in nature, yet struggle to see it in themselves. This piece has received more positive reactions than anything I’ve created, especially once people hear the story behind it.
A Message for You 💛
As you look at this, I encourage you to find the marks on your body—the ones that tell your story—and appreciate how far you’ve come. You’ve made it to this moment, and that’s incredible.
🌟 Whether you:
• Cooked for yourself more this year
• Hit a work milestone
• Leaned into a hobby (even if just once, on one amazing weekend)…
Be proud of it. Celebrate you for exactly who you are right now—not as a work in progress, but as someone who’s already enough.
It’s a beautiful thing to simply exist in this time, on this day, as a human being who’s alive. Everything beyond that? It’s just extra, and it’s awesome.
Take a moment to reflect and recognize how amazing you are. You deserve it. 💖
Building on my recent reflection about seeing beauty in my own 'imperfections' through art, I've been thinking even more about how challenging yet vital it is to truly accept ourselves. It’s so easy to pick apart our bodies, isn't it? We’re constantly bombarded with images of what society deems ‘perfect,’ making it incredibly hard to appreciate our own unique forms. But what if we started viewing our body not as something to be 'fixed,' but as a living, breathing landscape? Every scar, every stretch mark, every freckle, every line etched by laughter or worry — these are all like contour lines, unique brushstrokes on a canvas telling the story of where we've been. They are a map of our experiences, our growth, our resilience. My experience with the watercolor on cotton piece I created wasn't just about painting; it was a deeply meditative act of acknowledging and valuing those parts of my body I used to hide. The way the colors blended and spread on the paper felt symbolic of how life shapes us, creating unique patterns and textures that are inherently beautiful. This isn't just about creating art; it's about shifting our perspective in everyday life. Think about those moments when you feel proud, even of small victories. Maybe you finally started that new hobby, learned a new recipe, or simply got through a tough day. These aren't 'imperfections,' but rather the rich textures of your personal journey. They are proof of your strength and your ability to navigate this incredible thing called life. It takes courage to look inward and truly appreciate your own journey. We often give so much love and understanding to others, yet struggle to extend the same grace to ourselves. But what if we treated our own reflection with the same awe and respect we have for a breathtaking natural landscape? What if we saw our personal struggles and triumphs as the very elements that make our individual story so compelling and unique? So, I encourage you, too, to take a moment. Look at your own hands, your arms, your face. What stories do they tell? Can you find the beauty in the lines, the marks, the changes? Can you celebrate the journey that has brought you to this very moment? Because navigating life, growing, and simply being is an incredible feat. You are not a project; you are a masterpiece in progress, and you are worthy of all the love and acceptance you give to others. Let's make self-acceptance our masterpiece this year, embracing every part of our beautiful, evolving landscape.