VULNERABILITY AND SELF LOVE IN CONNEMARA WITH THE HERNEST PROJECT
What does it mean to be vulnerable? I think it’s something that transforms with every experience but one thing within it holds true to me; our ability to be open to all outcomes and none at all, the willingness to fail and the trust in ourselves to overcome. I have spent the last year considering all aspects of my own vulnerability and spending time getting to know my authentic self. This hasn’t been easy at all, and even though at times it was heartbreaking, looking back on it I now trust the journey that brought me here.
Some steps I’ve taken have been digging deep into the person I was pretending to be, the ‘face for every crowd’ side of myself and spending time seeing what parts of her were really true to who I was at my core. The most challenging part was coming to terms with my anxieties, struggles, compulsive behaviours and flaws. It meant seeing myself for who I really was and wrestling with my own shame and insecurity. Reading the work of Brené Browne allowed me to unearth a deeper understanding of how shame holds us back and suffocates our dreams; if you haven’t turned those pages yet I truly recommend that read.
More recently I have started connecting with my body and loving every single inch of it, the parts the magazines would airbrush mercilessly, the competitive nature in my bones and the fear which was tucked so deeply within the curves of my skin that I never felt it’s steady tremble as something that needed facing. I have taken the time to rise earlier in the mornings and salute the sun with the help of Flow By Catie. I’ve started to see my body get stronger, and remain soft and gentle at the same time, I’ve found a loving balance between both worlds.
When we peel back the layers we’ve covered to protect our roots from being exposed we start to see who we really are and from there we can begin to explore ourselves and the world with a forgiving heart. I took my bones to Connemara so I could breathe in every drop of beauty and give gratitude to how far I’ve come. And, what better fabric to drape across my body that this beautiful sustainable and ethically made dress from The Hernest Project. I was so grateful to be chosen to work with them through Ethical Influencers and I immediately knew that I wanted to take this beautiful Frankie dress out to the wilds of Connemara, and twirl in its open expanse of history, native flowers and adventure.
Over time I’ve learned to love this planet so deeply, nurturing a growing instinct to fight for it and all creatures who live here. I take the best steps I can, and I am always learning and growing. Partnering with conscious brands who genuinely care means I get to speak about things I love with an honest heart. Any moment I get to experience here on this earth, even on the difficult days brings a strength and appreciation of all its magnificence and pushes me to keep believing in positive change. That little drop of vulnerability goes a long way and I’ve learned that reaching out when you need it with a full heart brings beauty and abundance back to your world tenfold. It enriches your life and gives you the capacity to do the same for others.
Thank you to The Hernest Project for choosing to work with me on this collaboration and gifting (#AD) this beautiful dress which you can find here. Also this project would not have been possible without Ethical Influencers so thank you to them also for all their support. You an follow more of my projects and fun adventures here: PAPERMACHEMIND
