This post is sponsored by Alba Botanica® and Her Campus Media. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Space, Place & Southern Grace possible!
Last week, I experienced a major first. I forgot *two* big deadlines because I marked them on the wrong date in my calendar app. I didn’t realize the mistake I had made until an email reminder sent me spiraling into apology mode. Life has been hectic lately, to say the least. The hustle truly caught up with me and I had nothing left to do but apologize for my oversight.
At the end of a crazy work day in which I wore no makeup and had stringy, straight hair, I rushed home to my curling iron to make myself presentable to represent a brand. My boyfriend hurriedly helped me shoot these photos before sunset so I could talk about the value of skin care when taking these images reminded me how much of a story our skin and body tells. I truly love the lines on my eyes and forehead – they remind me of laughter and how much I’ve matured in the past few years. I love that my brows are totally unkempt and that I reached for mascara as a filler because I couldn’t find my brow pen in a panic to get photo ready. I love that not wearing eyeshadow and a couple stressful tears make my eyes sea blue for the rest of the day. Choosing to wear makeup, style my hair, or use products that enhance beauty don’t make me vain. Still, it feels really good to know and be able to love myself with and without a heavy layer that covers what’s normally there.
Despite deeply loving all of these features of myself, my boyfriend rapidly snapped 217 photos before posting the ones you see here. I edited almost 30 before settling on these few to share with the world. These just so happened to be the first three takes, but being rushed and stressed out made me be twice as critical and feel the need to “get it right” for Instagram. Sometimes, the most natural expression of yourself shows through before the pressure sinks in and you remember unrealistic societal expectations that say you have to look and act in a way that fits norms and pleases others. There is a lot of beauty in things not going as planned, in taking life in stride, and in loving all of yourself through the best and worst times. Due to some big stressors, I need self love more than ever. I’m working really hard to love myself consistently – inside and out – and I hope you actively work toward the same.
My healthy, clear skin shown here, even in the hard stretches of life that bring stress and anxiety my way, is brought to you by Alba Botanica®, a brand that creates body-loving products that nourish the skin, hair, and of course, the soul. They make botanically-based, 100% vegetarian personal care products that do beautiful for you and your friends: people + animals + earth. Learn more about their story here.
Below is the closest thing I have to a soft smile in front of the camera. I just can’t do it and take myself seriously. I desperately wish I could give a quick power stare, but it’s not part of me. I’ve learned to own my toothy grin and leave the sultry looks for the pros.
