It seems to me that we’re constantly hearing the phrase, seeing hashtags proclaiming, “Living my best life”, accompanied by frameworthy selfies with ethereal lighting edits. That’s great! We should be living our “best lives” and owning our choices. But the practices we engage to reach our goals are diverse and deeply personal. Perhaps not photo worthy, much less frameable.

The goals for a fat woman include, (but are not limited to), losing weight, increasing confidence, getting/staying healthy, and taking control of habits. We seek to take back what we’ve given away for lack of self awareness. Our fast paced lives and responsibilities to family and work put our self care on hold. Basically, we forget ourselves.

On the road to reinventing healthier lifestyles for ourselves, the body reaps obvious benefits of good nutrition and exercise. Great skin, healthier looking hair, weight loss, muscle gain……who wouldn’t want a great photo to showcase such achievement? All great, really. But this is only part of your Gen X, I just turned 50, enlightenment.

Digging deeper than the skin, most of us would agree that we’ve evolved intellectually as we’ve aged. (I hope I have.) Our life experiences have influenced us and challenged our taught beliefs. Although cliche, age truly does bring wisdom. We should be as proud of the cerebral growth as much as the weight loss. But how does one photograph that? I want a selfie that represents ideological ego.

It’s uplifting and satisfying to be complimented for appearance. Work put in is evident and deserves kudos. But do we ever recognize intellectual growth in others as a norm? Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear something like, “Hey T, you look good. Finally living better? Good for you! Also, you’re not the a..hole you once were. Way to evolve! Want to grab a kale smoothie and lick walls in a salt cave, after yoga at dawn on the beach?”………All great photo opportunities to highlight “Living our Best Lives”.

Our journies through life are uniquely individual and personal. Journal it in your own way, with photos, hashtags, and sound bites. Then, put your device down and engage in the activities you’ve posed for.