I've always said that my Social Media accounts are a direct reflection on who I am as a person. You can tell a lot about me from my various social media, specifically my Instagram. Here is the meaning behind 10 of my Instagram posts and why they're some of my favorites. (In no particular order)
1. The day I stomped grapes for the first time.
I was visiting mia Famiglia in New Jersey and we went to a festival at this vineyard called Laurita Winery. Although it was a cool experience and I felt the Italian blood running through my veins, I'll probably never do it again. It was really hard for me to think about how many other people's feet had been in that bucket before me. I can't even describe how gross it felt. I will say it's something everyone should experience at least once in their life--but only once.
2. The day I donated my hair for the first time.
I work at a hair salon and in my job interview one of my managers asked me, "How do you feel about change? Like how would you feel if we sat you in a chair and chopped off eight inches of your hair?" I had hip-length, purple ombre hair at the time and I nervously said, "Well I'd be willing to change the color but I don't think I can cut it," as I grabbed hold of it and nervously laughed. Little did I know, a month later I'd spontaneously decide to chop off enough hair to make a good portion of a wig for a woman in need. I donated my hair to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths. (If you’re wondering why I chose Beautiful Lengths over Locks of Love, please read this article.)
3. The day I found my body confidence.
My mom, cousins and I spent a cloudy and windy day at the beach over the summer. My mom took this picture of me and this bird and I had never been so proud of my body. I've never been one to work out or eat particularly healthy and this was the first time I was ever confident enough to post a picture with that much of my body exposed. I know I'm not extremely thin, but I also am very aware that I am not in the large category either. Body confidence is about respecting and loving your own body, regardless of what other people's bodies around you look like. My thighs touch, I have cellulite and my stomach has like six rolls when I sit, but I still love my body regardless.
4. The day I got to hang out with my little cousin and henna an elephant on her leg.
On this day, I got to spend time outside creating wearable art that I was so proud of. It was a very meditative moment for me and one of the few times in my life that I've experienced true bliss.
5. The day I had trouble getting inspired.
On this day, I spent hours trying to find inspiration on what to draw. I was browsing Pinterest and came across a photo of a couple making out. I've always been so fascinated by kissing (check out this video, even if it is acting, its still so beautiful.) so I just started sketching a story that we've all heard a million times. I finished it in a few hours and slipped it inside my laptop case. I always knew I could draw, but I never knew how well. Each time I draw something knew I learn more and more about my abilities.
6. The day I was the happiest I had ever been at the time.
My best friend, Mollie, and I spent a weekend in Indianapolis with our (now ex) boyfriends at the end of our senior year. We all had so much fun and this picture just shows the pure joy we had that weekend. She and I were so happy to be there and I'm so glad I got to experience such a beautiful city with such a beautiful soul.
7. The day Mollie and I got in our first fight.
No, no. I didn't actually shoot her. But we did get in a rather emotional argument the day I posted this. We could only stand to stay mad at each other for a few minutes. I was really proud of how quickly I turned my car around after driving away and how we immediately apologized to each other. Our friendship is too important for slammed doors and non-laughter-filled tears.
8. The day I felt inspired to be more spontaneous.
Mollie and I spontaneously went to Chicago over Christmas break to walk around and take pictures just for fun. All I kept thinking the whole day was that I need to do more cool things like that because now is the time of my life to have that kind of fun. I want to go on random trips, make crazy decisions and maybe make some mistakes. This is the time of my life to have spontaneous, uninterrupted and unconventional fun. As long as it's not harming anyone or myself, why not?
9. The day photoshoots became a hobby.
I like to do photoshoots for fun because I think it's incredible that I'm able to capture my friends' and my own beauty at possibly the time in our life when we will be our most beautiful. Our appearances will change for many reasons in the years to come and I find it fascinating that we'll have proof of our fullest potential to some day show our grandchildren.
10. The day I wanted to show I don't need makeup to feel beautiful.
On most occasions I have a full face of makeup on. I'm all about fun eyeshadows, matte lipsticks and killer eyeliner. This photoshoot was a lot of fun for me because it was so raw and genuine that it just brought across this natural beauty that a more glamorous photo wouldn't have brought forth. We kept neutral tones and went sans-makeup so that we could focus on the beauty that we don't usually embrace.
Instagram isn't just any social media for me. I post things that are close to my heart, even though they may seem irrelevant to you. My Instagram is like a little virtual scrapbook with a bunch of hidden memories I'll be able to remember for forever.