Yesterday I did something I swore I would never do. I watched one of those webcasts about marketing yourself and your instagram account. I never really had the desire to be super popular or “instafamous”, however since I am selling a product closely related to who I am as a person(my photography), I thought that some marketing tools would be beneficial.

The program that I listened to really highlighted some things for me. The point that spoke to me the most was that we all have a story, even if we feel boring, we still have a story and no two people are alike. This really hit home for me, it totally went  against the advice to post similar content constantly because my followers want to know what to expect. I don’t know about you, but I personally like to have some variety. Yes I love shooting landscapes… however I also love taking pictures of beautifully presented food, or selfies or sailboats, or children… the list goes on. Why should I choose one topic and just stick to it? That isn’t who I am, and if the individuals that follow me choose to unfollow due to my incongruent feed, well then they weren’t really interested in “my story”. The truth is that I have never felt boring. In fact I have spent my life toning down my past or hiding it completely so as to feel “normal” and “accepted”. I have never minded being different or unique, but I have dimmed the lights on my coloured past in order to “fit in”. I have been told by people in my past that moving countries was a great way to start over with a knew story and no-one ever had to know about the things “I should be ashamed of”. This never sat well with me. I feel like the fact that I am alive and here to tell these stories is a huge accomplishment, not only that, but if I keep my story to myself then I won’t be able to identify with “my people”. I want to find my people! My people may be those who have had similar experiences in life, or just those who choose to continue to love and support me all while knowing the whole truth. I hope that by becoming more transparent in my sharing that in some way the pain of the past will make sense! If somehow my story can help others than it was all worth it in the end.

The current climate for being raw, vulnerable and honest seems to be very warm. But I can’t help feeling like theres a time and a place for it and its all within reason. I am ready to test those limits and see how acceptable my “humanness” will be. This is a social network, my main goal is to connect, share and offer a relationship of giving, sharing and love. Love for the human plight, the constant striving for success and perfection mixed with our inevitable constant failings. I am a mother to four children, each of whom have different fathers. I am a recovering addict, clean for 14 years. I have been homeless. I have been hungry. I have felt hopeless and lost. I have been the victim of sexual assault more than once. I was raised as a Christian and I am grateful that I eventually found my way back to God. I have struggled with mental health. I have been divorced 3 times and married 4 times. I have sailed around the Pacific Ocean and lived in different countries for most of my young adulthood. I have finally found my happy place in life with a man who loves and accepts me for all of these things and more that I haven’t yet mentioned…. This is me, raw and unfiltered. I am coming out into the light, and hopefully this will connect me with others who can relate.

Thanks in advance for accepting me!