An Ode to my VscoGirlhood🪞🪄 *✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ｡･:*˚:✧｡
(repost as photos) <3
Do you ever just come across something that reminds you of a part of you, or maybe it was a "phase," or some other version that got so stuffed down in the constantly stacking rows and confines of linear time, and feel - opened, again? Remembering who you are, some call it. Realizing how far you've come, how many planes you've traversed, portals ventured through. How much life has been lived! What an awesome and simultaneously sobering thought. I'm feeling the former though, much more, sooo much more.
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I was cleaning out my photos this fine Saturday morning, sitting up in bed with my first cup of coffee. The other night when I needed to record something, it cut me off in the middle, saying my phone storage was full. That was signifying enough. As if I needed any more indication that it's time to let go. To shear away any lingering cobwebs from my past. I love a good camera roll cleanse. A proper decluttering of all the random screenshots, barrage of halfhearted selfies, and spur of the moment fascinations with all that is around me.
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Then I remembered VSCO. It came up in a conversation last week and I'd put in on a back burner in my mind; today I smelled the savory aromas from that pot and knew the dish was complete. So I opened up the app, hesitant at first, then with each scroll down the rows, feeling more and more relieved - waves of self-love washed gently over me. I continued down the swirling pathway, traveling, wide-eyed, back in time, undoing the effects of the "real" world. Entering spaces of my psyche, my soul, that had grown dormant that either I myself or some other combination of forces, squandered, rendered frivolous or vain or childish.
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Anyways, it's not childish or vain or frivolous or any other mean adjective - pesky inner critic! You may be ruthless but I am eternally more ruthless. Sorry not sorry.
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"Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God," Julia Cameron of the Artist's Way book and philosophy said.
Just a thought to leave you with...!
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& truly, thank you, shoutout, and big ups to vsco for being around back when a girl was just on the brink of adulthood. Come to think of it, adulthood is all relative, and maybe what I actually strive for, spiritually, is to find the union of my potential masteries with the playfulness of my inner child.
It's funny how a simple photo cleanse can transport you back in time, isn't it? As I scrolled through my old camera roll, seeing those familiar soft filters and sun-drenched shots, I couldn't help but reflect on what being a VSCO girl truly meant. It wasn't just about the aesthetic; it was a whole vibe, a mini-culture, that shaped so many of us on the brink of adulthood. For anyone who lived through it, or is curious about the 'vsco phase meaning,' it was more than just a trend—it was a lifestyle of casual cool simplicity. Think about the signature 'vsco girl pastel aesthetic': soft hues of sky blue, blush pink, mint green, and sunflower yellow dominated everything from our oversized t-shirts to our Hydro Flasks. It was all about creating this effortlessly breezy, sun-kissed look, even if it took a lot of effort to get just right! And let's talk about the 'vsco girl aesthetic outfits.' Oh, the memories! My go-to uniform usually involved an oversized t-shirt (often thrifted or from brands like Brandy Melville), paired with denim shorts or a comfy pair of ripped jeans. Footwear was almost exclusively Birkenstocks, Vans, or Crocs – comfort was key, but always styled with intention. And you couldn't forget the accessories: a trusty scrunchie (or five!) on your wrist, a Pura Vida bracelet stack, maybe even a shell necklace. The iconic Hydro Flask, usually adorned with stickers, was practically an extension of our arms, reminding us to 'sksksk and I oop' hydrate. It was all about curating a look that felt authentically laid-back, yet totally recognizable. Beyond the clothes and accessories, the 'vsco girl pastel aesthetic photo' style was distinct. We spent hours perfecting those bright, slightly desaturated edits, often using specific VSCO app filters that gave everything a dreamy, nostalgic glow. Every picture felt like a little postcard from an endless summer. It wasn't just about looking good; it was about capturing a feeling of carefree youth and connection to nature, even if we were just in our backyard. Rediscovering this part of myself, this 'JOJ GIRL' era where life felt simpler and aesthetics were everything, has been incredibly revealing. It wasn't superficial; it was a way we expressed ourselves, found community, and even practiced a form of self-care. The phase taught me the power of simplicity, of finding joy in small things, and the importance of having creative outlets. It was a time when many of us were figuring out our identities, and the VSCO aesthetic provided a playful, accessible framework for self-expression. It reminds me that even 'phases' can be profound learning experiences, contributing to who we are today. Embracing that playful spirit, that inner child who loved those pastel aesthetics and simple joys, is a powerful act of self-love and empowerment, even as we navigate the complexities of adulthood.