Odd shadows, shorts flipped up, hair starting to frizz, but choosing to share this photo anyway.

Doing my best to embrace and find the good moments in a messy, painful chapter in my life that has dragged on longer than I thought it could. But for all the lows, these times always highlight what is truly important in my life. Gratitude for the smallest things, like the feel of the morning sun, the sound of the water, the sand on my feet. Gratitude for my health, safety, my family, and a home to live in. And friends, new and old who have supported me in the ways I have needed, especially at my lowest moments.

I’ve always struggled with my confidence for a variety of reasons, and showing up on camera is still a work in progress for me. But the more I do it, even if only through photos, the more comfortable I get. Especially sharing the unedited, unfiltered ones. Where I see every flaw and insecurity, or the lighting is off or any other issue. But when I look back at old photos, I wish I dared to have shared them at the time, realizing now there was nothing wrong with them.

I typically keep all of this private, and even putting it into some form of words is difficult, but lately, it’s become too much to keep inside. And whenever I come across others sharing similar chapters, it gives me some comfort and hope, so in case anyone else out there is going through a difficult moment, I hope this can offer you the same. The messy, painful moments are just as beautiful and worth sharing. And someday, hopefully on the other side of this, will be a memory and reminder of just how much you made it through.