Finding Beauty, Boldness, Confidence and Courage Within

Body acceptance is a journey many of us take, an adventure in self-love and discovering who we truly are beneath the layers of societal expectations. For me, this journey has been a lifelong lesson in learning to embrace my body, to celebrate every curve, every line, every scar, every part of who I am. It’s a journey of recognising that my beauty, my worth and my joy come from within, from living fully and loving unapologetically. 

This journey has intertwined beautifully with another essential part of my life—my essential experiences list. Not just a collection of dreams or a bucket list, my essential experiences list represents the experiences, goals and adventures that make my heart race with excitement.

It is a reflection of who I am, who I am becoming and the wild, wonderful life I am creating for myself. Some items have been there for years, quietly waiting for the right moment, while others were born in flashes of inspiration and spontaneity. Each essential experience, each dream, holds a place in my story, revealing the evolution of my soul.

My journey to body love and self-acceptance began in my late twenties. After years of trying to fit into a narrow and somewhat warped image of beauty, endlessly counting calories and critiquing myself, I reached a point where I knew things had to change. On my 30th birthday, I made a commitment to myself: No more. 

No more letting societal expectations dictate how I saw myself.

No more endless striving to fit into a box that was never meant for me. 

Instead, I chose to love my body as it was, to nourish it and care for it because it’s my home, the sacred vessel for my heart and soul.

A pivotal moment in my journey was watching Embrace, the transformative documentary by Taryn Brumfitt in 2021. Taryn, the founder of the Body Image Movement, speaks to the idea that our bodies are not problems to be fixed, but incredible, beautiful forms to be celebrated. Her message challenged me to look beyond physical appearance, to see my body for the life it holds, the joy it brings, and the resilience it carries.

Her words echoed deeply in my heart: “We have about 28,000 days on this planet if we’re lucky. Shouldn’t we use them wisely, embrace our bodies, and have a great time?”

There is a beauty that comes when we connect to ourself, when we begin to love ourselves, to accept our bodies in all their uniqueness. This beauty is unlike anything that can be bought, changed or altered. It comes from the inside, from a place of self-compassion and authenticity. True beauty, the kind that lights up a room and turns heads, radiates from within. When we connect to ourselves—when we honour our worth, recognise our divine essence and celebrate the journey we are on—we shine.

This connection to the self is a deep dive into the essence of the divine feminine. It’s about embracing qualities like love, strength, wisdom, courage and grace that reside within all of us. The divine feminine is an energy that encourages us to be unapologetically authentic, to embody our true nature without holding back. It’s about celebrating ourselves, not for what society tells us we should be or could be, but for who we are.

Alongside my journey to body love, I created my essential experiences list—a dynamic and ever-evolving record of dreams, goals, experiences and things I want to do in this fabulous thing called life. I don’t think of my essential experiences list as a to-do list; it’s more of a collection of moments I want to create, skills I want to learn, and adventures I want to embark on. It’s a way to honour each phase of my life and to hold myself accountable for living boldly and with intention.

I have altered, added and reshaped my essential experiences list over the years, and I know I will continue to do so as I continue to grow. I never remove items.

Each goal, whether accomplished or not, represents a piece of who I was at that moment. Adding dates for when I set a goal and when I achieve it allows me to reflect on my growth over time, allowing me to see how I have evolved and how much wisdom I have gained along the way.

Earlier in the week I introduced you to my Essential experiences list - creating an essential experiences list has taught me to savour each step of the journey, to celebrate every accomplishment, no matter how big or small.

This list holds my aspirations, from places I want to visit and foods I want to try, to personal milestones like learning a new skill or having meaningful conversations with people who inspire me. My life list isn’t just a roadmap; it’s a testament to my courage, my dreams, and my commitment to live fully.

One item on my essential experiences list had been there for years—a boudoir photoshoot. For a long time, it felt like something out of reach, a dream that was exciting but terrifying. Finally, four years ago today (20th December 2020), I took the plunge and gifted myself this experience. It was more than just a photoshoot; it was a journey of self-love, a moment to embrace my body fully and unapologetically.

Walking into the shoot, I will admit I felt a little nervous and vulnerable. As the session progressed, something incredible happened. I began to feel empowered, sensual and confident. In front of the camera, I allowed myself to embody my divine feminine essence. The images captured an elegance, a strength and a joy that I hadn’t fully recognised in myself before. Seeing myself through this lens was life-changing. I felt beautiful, not in the way society tells us we should be, but in a way that came from within, that felt true and powerful.

This experience was about so much more than just about the photos; it was about seeing myself as a goddess, as a divine feminine being, as a whole and beautiful woman. The images reflect a woman who is strong, confident and unapologetic. They remind me that beauty is not about fitting a standard; it is about honouring and celebrating who we are.

Creating an essential experiences list and embracing the beauty within are intertwined journeys, each enhancing the other. 

Here are some ways to connect with your divine essence and live your life list with wild joy:

Curate Your Life List with Intention: Think of your life list as a sacred space for your dreams and desires. Add items that light you up, that make you feel connected to yourself and the world around you. Allow it to be fluid and evolving, just like you.

Celebrate Every Achievement Fully: Each time you complete an item, honour it. Take photos, journal about the experience, or share it with friends. Each accomplishment is a celebration of your journey and your growth.

Embrace the Beauty of Your Divine Feminine: Whether through a photoshoot, a moment of self-reflection, or simply by honouring your body, allow yourself to feel confident and free. Celebrate your divine essence, and let it radiate outward, touching every part of your life.

See Yourself Through a Loving Lens: Practice seeing yourself with love and kindness. Look in the mirror, not to critique, but to appreciate. Speak words of affirmation and gratitude to yourself. The beauty you feel within will shine outwards.

Surround Yourself with Positive Influence: Surround yourself with people, media, and experiences that uplift you. Seek out books, documentaries, and communities that inspire body love and self-acceptance.

Loving the skin you are in is about more than just physical acceptance; it’s about embracing the whole of who you are. It’s about honouring your beauty, your spirit, and your divine feminine essence. This journey of self-love and celebration is one that deepens as we grow, revealing new layers of confidence, strength, and joy. When we connect with our inner goddess, we embody qualities of compassion, wisdom and resilience.

As I reflect on my journey and the images from my boudoir photoshoot that I found when going through photo albums recently, I feel immense gratitude.

I am grateful for every step, every challenge, every moment of courage that brought me to this place. 

I am grateful for my essential experiences list, for the dreams that push me to grow, and for the experiences that allow me to celebrate who I am. I am grateful to share this journey with you because I believe that every woman deserves to live freely, to love herself fully and to celebrate her essence.

Life is too short to hold back, to let self-doubt dim our light, or to live by someone else’s rules. We deserve to live boldly, to honour our lives, and to love ourselves deeply. We each have a divine essence, a unique beauty that shines brightest when we embrace it.

To every woman reading this: I invite you to create a life list, a bucket list or an essential experiences list that fills your heart with love and joy, may you honour your beauty, and may you love yourself unconditionally with no reservation.

Love the skin you are in, embrace the goddess within, and live each day as an adventure in authenticity and self-love. 

Life is meant to be celebrated, and you, exactly like as you are, are worthy of every single bit of that joy.

Your journey to self-love and fulfillment isn’t about checking off items on a list or meeting societal expectations. It’s about honouring your dreams, living boldly, showing up courageously and allowing yourself to feel beautiful and empowered every step of the way. It’s about seeing yourself as a whole and worthy person, connected to a deeper essence within that no one can take away.

Take all those dreams, those sparks of inspiration and let them fuel your life.

Embrace your unique beauty, your wildness, your softness, your grace and your strength.

Create your essential experiences list as a testament to all the incredible things you want to experience, learn, and become. Know that you are not just reaching goals—you are building a life that reflects your truest self, one filled with love, purpose and radiant joy.

May you wake up each day feeling grateful for your body, your journey and your unique path.

May you celebrate every curve, every line, every aspect of yourself as a beautiful expression of life.

May you carry your essential experiences list with you as a reminder that this is your one precious life—meant to be loved, cherished, and lived wholeheartedly.

You are a masterpiece in progress. 

Love the skin you are in.

Honour your divine essence.

Let your light shine damn bright for the world to see.