Virginia Press - Journal Entry 7 - On Wearing Evidence of Your Journey

 I am no stranger to wearing my process or my growth on my sleeve. My expressive style and experimental tastes often push me away from acceptability. While I am aware of the effort and resources my look requires, I do feel quite a kinship to the term Hiker Trash. And in a way, that ought to be the case. Just as I recognize the effort put into my creative process, I ought to recognize the spiritual and physical effort of a pilgrim on their journey. 

My fashion, hair, and makeup, allow me to experiment with expression until I conceive a vision I want to put forth into the world. Whether that is the identity of a well put together young lady or a new idea of my own creation, I get to wear like a badge the evidence of my journey and the knowledge I've gained. Frequently I'm mocked for following my dreams, but in the end I arrive back at the idea that the thing I must love is where I started. The true growth of a stylistic journey is being able to love yourself from beginning to end. 

You have to reconcile and separate your looks from your identity or self-esteem. The true boon is the ability to be confident and secure regardless. 

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