I have been working from home and been in isolation for three weeks now. Not that I ever need a reason to overthink and analyze my life, but these unique turn of events has made it rather easy and inevitable to ponder and wonder. Thankfully, I am staying sane and my thoughts are more-often-than-not filled with gratitude and love for life.
Last week I watched two Hindi-movies (Indian) - Chhapaak & Panga both of which are stories about women and their struggles and how they choose to move forward through perseverance, determination and unwavering positive outlook. Another thing I found common between both movies was the supportive female sisterhood both protagonists found in their friends, neighbors and strangers. While pondering about these movies, I realized that I had not grown up watching this healthy dose of female bonding on cinema (or even in books). Women were mostly shown as envious, vicious creatures or even outright enemies if they happen to want the same things in life. Their characters were always written to undermine each other's successes or to tear each other up. Of course I didn't know it back then but that was forming my view of my own gender.
All this pondering eventually got me thinking about my own life. As a regular reader you might know I am an introverted-extrovert. I have a small circle of people around me. I choose to live in my own little bubble, stepping out intermittently to only jump right-back-in to renew the lost energy. I am an extremely private person. I like to share when I am ready and willing. Often only once I have fully lived the moment and have processed it and am ready to let go. I bore you with these characteristics about myself only to emphasis the wonder and gratefulness I feel when women around me take the time to reach out, and be helpful and often get me out of my funk, albeit unknowingly, but the impact of their action makes me feel valued and connected to them.
There are a LOT OF examples I can share with you from over the years of all the women who has been there for me in most unexpected times, but because that will take months to write, I am sharing a few just from the last few weeks - For the first several weeks of this god-awful-year I was not feeling the love for blogging AT ALL. I had not shot a single outfit post or collaborated with anyone ... then one-fine-day Alison asked me if I'd like to be part of this project, and just like that I started finding joy in outfit posts again. This whole COVID situation was not helping my creativity and I was not in the mood for creating anything new and then Flo my podcast partner (and friend!) asked if I'd like "to do an IGTV series and share 'One Good Thing' to watch and read every week?" and now I am excited about creating content again. Then just last week my most favorite person in D.C. - Rosana - asked me to be a part of a project and suddenly I forgot everything about the world we are currently living in and got consumed with being part of this fun collaboration.
I guess, the point I am trying to make today is that even though movies and books and didn't do a great job of showing women-supporting-women in late 80s and 90s I have come to believe in the power of sisterhood. The love and support each of them (virtual strangers included) has shown over the years has shaped me who I am as a person today. It wasn't something I grew up knowing, but it is definitely something I have come to appreciate in loads and I am so thankful to all the women in my life.
Photography By Hafsa
Back in February I did a fun shoot with another awesome woman I met this year - Hafsa We had so much fun. We can't wait to shoot again post Covid-19.
Check out her work on Instagram page here.
Check out her work on Instagram page here.
I love this photo shoot you did, you look amazing and the colours are so vibrant!
ReplyDeleteYes, we all need our family and friends to be there for us, and for us to be with them also during this challenging time. BTW, I like your pictures on this post :) - Dan "Jay" Reyes
ReplyDeleteI love your photo shoot and bright colours. 3 weeks alone is testing for anyone.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I love the bright vivid colors for spring:)
ReplyDeleteLove this post and your outfit too!
ReplyDeleteMariya | https://www.brunetteondemand.com/
Ditto. Women have saved my life many times. And it's good for us to reflect on important issues.
ReplyDeleteI am loving this outfit. Very cute.
ReplyDeleteSome fabulous shots there taken by Hafsa, loving your outfit as well the location
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post...times like this reveal our strengths and weaknesses but as long as we can identify our weaknesses and take this time to work on them and understand the changes we need to make for the future, that is all that matters. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Stay safe and be well.
ReplyDeleteLove you showing off the women in your life. It's amazing how having strong female examples in ones life totally can impact younger girls.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to have women in your life who help uplift you and inspire you. It sounds like the women by your side (IRL and online) are so great for that!
ReplyDeleteI love your thoughts. Good luck and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteI love the colorful vibes in this outfit, the shoes are something interest me the most, love the combination of color.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sweet post!! I'm a huge believer in having girlfriends - it's so good for the soul!
ReplyDeleteThis outfit is SO colorful and cheerful, just what I needed this AM!
ReplyDeleteIdk what I would do without all the amazing ladies in my life! It's so important to have friends who can support and uplift you during this time.
ReplyDeletexx Mollie
these photos are so colorful!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! And you know, we sound similar personality-wise. I'm an extroverted introvert and creativity is my biggest driving factor so I totally get it. I love that you have that support system.
ReplyDeleteLizzie
www.lizzieinlace.com
You look so beautiful in these photos and I agree, nothing like supportive women in your life!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely an introverted-extrovert too and keep in my bubble pretty much 24/7 with my set group of friends and family!! I love this post and LOVE your outfit!!
ReplyDeleteI really like your creative use of the stole in these pics. Also, I've seen all of these collabs you've done and they were all great. Nice to have a small circle of friends that can motivate and inspire when you're not really feeling it. As you know, I haven't been blogging much at all, but I had some time on my hands lately, so I put up a new post finally!
ReplyDeleteBeing home the last few weeks has been such a test for my sanity, haha. Isn't it crazy how watching a movie, or two, can change your outlook on your own life? Love these photos!
ReplyDeleteRachel
www.hello-her.com
OMG. That is a Kani dupatta. You carry it so well.
ReplyDeletesee the same kani dupattas i sell here
https://sohumsutras.com/collections/dupattas
I've actually been reading a great book about very inspirational women and their careers. One of my friends got it for me for my birthday, and it's kept my mind busy but also very inspired! x
ReplyDelete