In the past month, three women have told me about career changes that made them feel emotional.
Each office has childhood photos hanging in it. What is the reason for this lovely decision? Every time they look at their younger selves in all their girlhood glory, with rosy cheeks, cheesy smiles, and twinkling eyes, they remember a part of themselves that they value the most. Grace in times of failure. Be patient even in moments of frustration. The kindest encouragement. And then – here’s my favorite part – they try to cure their disease. present yourself with all that tender love.
social strategist Peyton Diggs (Above) He hung a picture of his baby on his desk. “I often feel critical and disgusted with myself,” she said. Elle. “I have to remind myself, ‘Oh, here’s a little girl who’s always learning and exploring and doing her best and being fucking kind to herself.’
When I asked Peyton how she came up with this idea, her answer surprised me. “I saw this in the form of a meme being shared on Twitter. Various and interesting photosAnd he said, ‘If you’re being mean to me, you’re being mean to this person.’ “At first I laughed, but then I took it seriously and wrote the quote on a post-it note and placed it under the photo.”
Illustrator Jordan Sondler says he keeps his professional mission top of mind by displaying photos of himself as a pre-teen in his apartment (above). “My biggest dream is to create art and work to help children who are scared and depressed like I once was,” she said.
finally, Gabriella LlewelynThe writer and mother of three says seeing a collage of her childhood photos on display reminded her why she devotes time to her hobby. Hobbies bring joy. “I sew, read and garden not because I’m trying to be the world’s best sewer or read 45 books a year. I do these things to keep my inner child alive and happy. I do these things to make her proud.”
After talking to three women, I decided to try this approach myself and made this photo a screen saver for my phone.
Little me with my grandfather and brother.
For the first few days, every time I looked at my phone – I hate to admit it – the feeling that flooded my mind was embarrassment. What type of person sets their own photo as their screensaver? I think so. This should be a picture of my children, not me.
But as time went by, I smiled when I looked at my phone and saw little Jannelle in her red beret and pleated skirt. Not long ago, I imagined how I must have felt in that moment: loved and safe. She deserves to feel loved and safeI thought. And then it happened so naturally. My follow-up thoughts are, I still deserve to feel loved and safe. The statement so given. But I realized that sometimes I need help remembering things. So I decided to put my childhood photos front and center.
Are you displaying photos from your childhood? So does Leslie Knope! And what pride do you have in yourself?
PS Anxiety tips, what are your three core values?
