Dear Body is a podcast and photo journalism series telling stories about people's relationships with their bodies. The intention for this series is to celebrate diverse bodies, honor the resilience and wisdom of the body, and shine a light on real, authentic stories that shift our cultural narrative.

I’m overly excited to share episode 002 of Dear Body with you all. Jillian and I have crossed paths many times in our mutual communities and our approach to photography and art are so aligned. This was absolutely one of my favorite conversations I’ve had this whole year!

Jillian is an art therapist, photographer, model, and artist. She was inspired to share her story in hopes her vulnerability would resonate with other women. Jillian strides to support others and create community as seen through her various endeavors.

You can find more of Jillian’s work on Instagram: @__toomuchwoman and join her circles and events with Sisters Rising, a sisterhood community for spiritual women based in Long Island, NY.

“Dear body,

I’m sorry it took me so long to see your worth and make you feel worthy. I adopted the beliefs and narratives of others and because of it, I often looked at you with shame and anger. I had the inability to see all of the incredible things that you do and that you are and I’m sorry.

I want you to know how much I love you…I am in awe of the way that you create life, the way that you grow, the way that you shrink and all of the ways that you change and adapt to each new phase in my life. You have always been there for me, supporting me and changing with me.

My body holds a story and I am grateful for it. I am grateful for each and every experience I’ve ever had, good or bad, that has shown me how to love myself, and how not to love myself. It is still work in progress, and some days I fall back into old habits, but I am so excited for the journey back to myself, the journey of falling in love with who I am.

Thank you body for being such a beautiful teacher.”

“I definitely went through phases. At first, I liked how I felt in my body. Then, the attention aspect was fun. Because I needed that validation from people at that time because I just didn't have a strong enough sense of self. I didn't love myself, really. That's what it was. I had been through so many shitty relationships and I had been through assaults and things like that.

It all made me question myself and my body and what my worth was. Growing up with a difficult parent did the same thing. So it felt like this, ‘oh my God, people like you,’ which was something I hadn't felt ever, really. So that was really hard.”

“There’s a psychology theorist who believes that humans were born innately perfect with oodles of potential and the only reason we lose our potential and the only reason we stop falling in love with ourselves is because we meet each other.

We start to get worried about whether it's a cultural belief or a societal belief or a gender norm or this or that, that we start to put ourselves into these boxes that sometimes don't fit us. And then when they don't fit us, we're like, oh my God, there must be something wrong with me and none of that's true.

It's just figuring out the box that works for you. And Your box might be a cultivation of many different boxes. It may look super different than someone else's and none of it's wrong. Because everybody deserves to take space.”

Dear Body is supported by Heart-led Creator, a Substack publication that explores the sensual delights of the body and creating from the heart. Subscribe for updates on new Dear Body episodes and weekly love notes for creative souls. Upgrade to a paid subscription for monthly therapeutic art classes, on-going library of guided resources, and private group chat to share your creations, inspiration, and curiosities.

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Dear Body is a podcast and photo journalism series telling stories about people's relationships with their bodies. The intention for this series is to celebrate diverse bodies, honor the resilience and wisdom of the body, and shine a light on real, authentic stories that shift our cultural narrative.

Welcome to the first episode of Dear Body. This has been a long time coming and I’m so excited to share this first story with you.

My guest is Oswald Perez, an inspiring writer and poet from New York City. He writes to share the world through his eyes using words, photos, and prose. He inspires people to tell their stories because our stories are ART.

In this conversation, he recalls his journey with cerebral palsy. It was such a honor to speak with Oswald and hear about how he gained his power back after many years of challenging mobility, surgeries, and body braces. I hope you find his story as enlightening as I did.

You can find more of ‘s work on his Substack publication, The Newsletter Underneath the Security Blanket, and on his Instagram account. Keep an eye out for the re-release of his first book of poetry, A Poetic Journey, Staying at Home.

Dear body:

I see you and all your scarred glory. Those scars gave you your life.

You’ve gone through so much.

From all the surgeries to fix the deformities to various therapies to gain strength and function in how to use it. It hasn’t been an easy process at times.

But you’re here now on your own two feet. Free of braces and all the other orthopedics that limited your movement.

With each step forward, you’re creating a life that you want. Sure, it’s a work in progress. But one that should be embraced to the fullest.

Don’t let self consciousness stop you. Nor the comments about your body’s shape from other people.

Embrace every inch of your body.

Dear Body is supported by Heart-led Creator, a Substack publication that explores the sensual delights of the body and creating from the heart. Subscribe for updates on new Dear Body episodes and weekly love notes for creative souls. Upgrade to a paid subscription for monthly therapeutic art classes, on-going library of guided resources, and private group chat to share your creations, inspiration, and curiosities.

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I’ve had a personal project on my mind and heart for approximately 344 days…but who’s counting?

"Dear Body…" is a podcast and photo journalism series telling stories about people's relationships with their bodies. My intention for this series is to celebrate diverse bodies, honor the resilience and wisdom of the body, and shine a light on real, authentic stories that shift our cultural narrative.

This will also be an opportunity to work with me for free, as I'm very well aware professional photoshoot rates are not financially accessible for all.

If you have a story to tell about your relationship to your body, this is for you.

I have a story to tell

Telling Your Story Sets You Free

Our bodies go through so much. Our bodies experience heart ache, grief, anger, judgment, shame, joy, pleasure, and the infinite range of emotions.

Our bodies try to morph and fit other people's molds.

Our bodies carry and birth children.

Our bodies go through injury, abuse, trauma, diagnosis, and medical procedures.

Our bodies are objectified and taken advantage of.

Our bodies CHANGE (and thank God for that).

These experiences can take a hold of who we are and shackle us to a false identity. Telling your story sets you free. Telling your story heals not only yourself, but those who share a similar story—one of the many powers of community.

Through all of this, your body is a forever changing sacred work of art. Your body deserves love, honor, acceptance, and respect.

This is an opportunity to tell your story and celebrate your body in a safe environment. To be considered for this series, please fill out the application below.

"Dear Body..." Application

As a participant of the "Dear Body..." series, your story will be shared on Heart-led Creator (heartledcreator.com) and potential book in the future.

Your story will be told in a written blog post feature with audio interview and tasteful partial nude photographic art.

In exchange for sharing your story, you will receive a gallery of digital photos from your photoshoot with a license to share on your own social media channels, website, blog, and email.

This series is open to all genders and gender non-conforming people. Historically underrepresented bodies will be given priority in this series.

I’m so excited to create and share your stories with the world. It is truly my life’s work and my cup is overflowing with so much curiosity, inspiration, and gratitude.

I want to tell my story

Warmly,
Olivia

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