THE ART OF SELF JOURNAL

"Imagine if we obsessed about the things we love about ourselves instead of what we loathe! I have two teenage daughters and I am always reminding them that they are what they are, and there’s many things they can not change, so the way to be happy and content is to accept their body as it is, but to focus on being healthy and strong, and the body will glow! Accept, embrace and celebrate!! Don’t let your mind bully your body." Written by Leona

"My favourite body part is my stomach. I have endometriosis, painful bladder syndrome and pelvic floor dysfunction. I’ve had four pelvic surgeries over the last few years which has left me with laparoscopic scars and even a new belly button. But my tummy has always been my favourite part of my body and I only love it more now. It’s not only beautiful but it’s a sign of my strength. It reminds me where I have been and gives me gratitude for my journey now. My advice to other g

Today we celebrate my Mum’s 67th birthday (we did however have to calculate that this morning). I wanted to write a little something, but was unsure where to start so I decided the easiest way was to write a letter to her instead…. Dear Mum Today is your birthday and I want to say THANK YOU! Thank you for…. Your patience and calmness throughout my teenage years - not an easy one I know For guiding me through my first chance at parenthood, I couldn’t have done it without you

Why do I photograph women - well mostly women? As a former wedding photographer, I saw the bride looking and more importantly, feeling beautiful. She was wearing her dream dress and she was celebrating one of the most important relationships in her life. Every bride I photographed, held herself beautifully, her head held high and a beautiful confidence graced her. It’s one day that women (and men, of course) really celebrate herself and her loved one along with her family. It

Just three more days left of my summer holiday and it’s back into it and I can’t wait. I’ve been spending my last week back home in Dargaville at my Dad’s place. I love coming home. A time to just chill out in the middle of nowhere, where we can enjoy the peaceful countryside and forget about time for a while. I remember as a kid, all I wanted to do was live in town, where everything was happening. It’s not until my adult years that I’ve learnt to really appreciate and LOVE t

Your weirdness, Your silliness, Your seriousness, Your creativeness Your craziness Who ever it is that you are, Be that person. Stop watering down the best version of you, just to try and fit in. Stop apologising for any part of who you are. Grab your uniqueness by the balls and own every single part of you. When you try and blend in, Or water down who you really are, You are missing out on so much in your life, And others are missing out on enjoying the whole you. Don’t ju

Throughout my twenties, I would keep my head down, Doing my best not to be seen, If someone spoke to me, my face would go as red as a tomato, my heart would race, My palms would sweat and my words wouldn’t flow. I was fine when I was around those who I spent a lot of time with, my family & friends But out in public or around those who I felt inferior to, I always felt nervous. This is what it felt like to not’ feel good enough, worthy enough. No one did this to me, I did this

I always believed that I would marry and that would be that. I was married for life, til death do we part as they say. When I was a wedding photographer, I knew I wanted to get married and couldn’t wait to meet the person I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Little did I know, my marriage would only last a short 5 years. I’m not here to speak about what happened - that's not just my story, it also belongs to my ex-husband. I’m here to share what the last year has be

Do you ever feel different? Like you just don't fit in sometimes? Do you feel you're Too loud Too quiet Too colourful Too bland Too quirky Too edgy Too giggly Too conservative Too intence? However you feel Own it, every single part of it. Embrace it, Embrace who you are, everything about you, Everything that makes you different. You know I've always felt different in many ways throughout my life, And it used to bug me I just wanted to fit in, Be like everyone else Be and feel