And I see my eyes, those dark brown eyes that I sometimes cover with contact lenses, making them a tad lighter to feel different. Other times, I cover them with glasses that allow me to work, feel less tired, and somehow feel more confident.
And how could I overlook my lips? Lips that, in my opinion, deserve more kisses. (Yes, this not-so-subtle message is “para tu” 😉). I see them pink from the heat of a running session, which becomes harder as the half marathon I signed up for approaches. I see my nose, the part I’ve always complained about, the one that has always made me feel insecure. But today, I view it slightly differently: perhaps more upturned? Or maybe it’s just the lighting.
When I look at my full body, I see a petite figure with neither skinny nor thick build. I’d describe it as proportionate. I don’t have too much or too little; I have just enough of everything. I see my chest, hips, and legs—those legs I once wished were thinner but now I am thankful they’re not. Legs that allow me to run, jump, walk, and travel to places I never thought I’d know.
Returning to my face, I can’t miss those expression lines— the ones I first noticed the day after turning 30. I’m sure they were there before, but I had never noticed them. Especially the ones that crease my cheeks, those I show a little love to every day with a promising Korean skincare routine, hoping they grant me time. Time to embrace my age with pride, knowing they represent hearty laughter and torrents of tears.
In the end, I see a woman: imperfect, evolving, one who for many years didn’t want to look at herself in the mirror but who, some time ago, decided to make peace with herself. One who now likes what she sees.
P.S. Thank you, for reading me <3. I have a newsletter. If you are interested :)
** All images are generated using stable diffusion