Katie | Jamaica Plain, MA

Images by Kate McElwee

"I just want to feel healthy and whole, comfortable in my own skin, unafraid to be myself."

From Katie:

"I hated myself -- how I looked, who I was, where I came from. I felt rage inside me that I carried with me in all my actions, relationships, and decisions. It was taxing, and felt endless. In recent years I have been trying to be kinder to myself, and healing from my past self-loathing.  I just want to feel healthy and whole, comfortable in my own skin, unafraid to be myself. I've been working towards this place, a little each day, and I can feel a difference. I mainly feel like I have more energy, which I do, because I have been holding myself back."

I have always been aware of--and actively working on--my body image issues. This project gave me greater insight, asked questions that I would have never considered. A theme emerged, that much of my frustration with/in my body has originated from feeling like I didn't have a voice, or others were speaking for me. This project has given me a deeper understanding of myself, and a greater feeling of autonomy and empowerment."

-- Katie

Images of Katie by Kate McElwee.