The “back to school” mantra that works for us all

Sep 4

Honesty and kindness are two of the most beautiful things in the world… As the kids return to school, this week, there are posts circulating social media reminding us to tell our kids that if they see someone sat on their own, or looking sad, to go and say “hello” and check they’re OK. I think those posts work in every corner of the world, no matter how old you are.

I’m going to be honest with you for a minute and say that I’m finding my own life a bit tough at the moment but here’s the thing – I’m not on my own with these feelings of guilt, overstretch, exhaustion and anxiety… Which then – for me & I think many others – leads to feelings of isolation, confinement and questioning self worth. Part of my job, at Be Bold Be You, includes talking boldly (and bluntly) to many, many women and, as a result, I know that these adjectives – amongst others – are felt by many, for many different reasons. Nobody’s feelings are worth more or less because everyone is valued at Be Bold Be You and I hope in our community and world beyond what we do, at the studio in Belper.

So here’s the real thing. I know that these honest conversations – that are so hard to have – lead to wonderful, positive moments.

· Ten months ago, I met a lady at the studio who had given birth to a beautiful baby girl who sadly died only hours after being born. Today, I received a text to say her second daughter was born yesterday and all appears well, and subsequently positive, for this wonderful family.

· Around six months ago I was introduced to a lady, by a member of the BBBY tribe, who was going through a tricky break up – and subsequent divorce – with two children involved. She booked in for a shoot thinking it was the right thing to do but, after a chat, it wasn’t the right time. We found a support network to support her and her children and kept everything cross that a new, positive chapter, would be able to be started by this family. Over the weekend, I received a message on our BBBY WhatsApp saying that a new chapter is new calling and she’s booked in for her own shoot – a moment wanted by her and for her – in December. Just by chance, she will be our last boudoir photoshoot of 2023 and I have to admit, I love how this has worked out!

· Then, this week, I have a shoot coming to the studio ready to celebrate her self titled “imperfections”. Apparently she’d been building up to picking up the phone (or Business WhatsApp!) for just under a year and my phone has been buzzing, for the last week, with outifts and shoot ideas ready for her own BBBY moment – a professional boudoir photoshoot – later, this week. Turns out a gallery of real women, just like you and me, is exactly what she needed to kickstart her new chapter.

And these three moments have brought me such joy to be a part of!

The phrase “be kind” has become a bit of a slogan which, I think, has made it less valued by our western ways… Here’s another way of saying it: “be bold. Be you. Everyone else is already taken” because when you’re bold, and you’re you, I absolutely 100% promise that you’ll inspire others to do the same and that motion goes on and on and on. And that’s how kindness works. Just one moment of someone looking after another means they’ll want to pass that feeling on. Be Bold. Be Kind. Both are wonderful, whether in a playground or just our community around us.