Whatever this year brought; wherever I still hope to reach in my journey… There were still beautiful moments. These were moments of connection, moments with nature, and moments I hold with deep gratitude. Most of these are moments not captured through the lens of a camera, but they are still real to me.
Whatever moments you had this year - whatever triumphs and tribulations, it is okay. You do not owe anyone a neat and tidy narrative of your life - a glossy highlight reel. We are here and we are living our stories as they unfold, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. If you spent much of this year simply trying to survive, please know you are not alone and that this is more than enough.
As this year draws to a close, I wanted to share a few of my favourite photographs/nature moments captured from January to December 2021. All of these photos were taken by me (but for one - the snowy owl, taken by a friend on an adventure we had in search of her). All of these photos represented moments of wonder and awe amidst trying times. They are not everything from this year, but they remind me of hope, of good amongst the grey, of feeling connected to life around me.
Where did you find some of these moments for yourself? Who were you with? What did it feel like?
Not pictured here are the people who have also given me life this year. A picture can hardly do any of you justice for how grateful I am to know you - just as you are.
A picture also cannot summarize the victories I’ve carved out for myself from this year. These are big and small things at the same time. Things like…
Giving myself language and leniency to explore aspects of myself, my past, and my journey.
Surviving what felt unsurvivable at times.
Standing up alongside those in my community (Vancouver Island Voices for Eating Disorders) to advocate for people’s needs.
Advocating for my own needs, as I see them.
Learning and unlearning.
Reaching for connection over isolation.
Continued reflection.
Giving myself room to breathe in online spaces, stepping away from the places I feel I am outgrowing, and cultivating more of what feels supportive to my own healing (not just my passion for the healing of others.)
I may not be where I want to be. I may feel lost some days. I may feel behind in life. But I am enough and so are you. We continue learning, we continue growing. Sometimes painfully, but always worth it.
Now for some pictures!
- S.
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