At 10 years old, I began struggling with my body image. As a person who has always struggled with her weight, covering myself was the only way I felt comfortable. I wore pants and jackets in 90-degree weather, refused to go swimming at pool parties, and never wore dresses because my “body type” was too awkward for them. Adding to my insecurities was the idea of “the perfect body” disseminated through television, movies, advertisements, and magazines.

A decade later, I feel as though I’ve grown from my experiences; I have developed a more positive body image. But I still find myself struggling. Some days, I still feel uncomfortable if I’m not wearing a jacket or pants. I still flinch at the thought of going to a public pool or the beach in my bathing suit. And I haven’t worn a dress since my high school graduation in 2017.

It is from these experiences as a kid that I gather inspiration for this project. Through self-portraiture, I explore myself, inside and out, to gain the confidence and body positivity I’ve lacked for more than a decade; I push myself in all directions– especially those I’ve never ventured in before–to find my sense of self-worth.