Many people say that it’s important to “capture the moment.”
Through pictures, we are able to look back on the good moments of our lives and remember how we felt during that time.
But that’s just it: The good times.
Social media has become about posting how much better your life is compared to those who “follow” you or “friend” you.
But what ever happened to being raw or vulnerable and sharing those “not so good moments” with these so-called friends?
Why do we fear sharing our hard times?
Is it fear of judgment or simply wanting the world to believe that everything is perfect?
Through my years of treatment, I learned how important it is to capture those “not so good” days.
Many people around me didn’t agree, nor did they encourage it.
They believed that although cancer was something that I had to face, it was also something I should forget about and never recall.
My older sister took it upon herself to make sure that we saved these memories, even if they weren’t at the most pleasant of times. From laying in bed in the hospital to sitting in the chemo chair, she always made sure to take candid photos.
I liked the idea of knowing I’d one day be able to look back, so we even had funny moments of having impromptu photo shoots – from eating (which was 99% of the time), to forcing a smile while coming off steroids.
Although most of the pictures taken are silly selfies that I would send her throughout her days at school, I am able to look back and appreciate what I’ve been through more because it’s easier for me to recall how I felt by remembering how I looked.
Not only during cancer should we capture the good and the bad, but all through life.
It’s important as human beings for us to be raw and open with each other. That’s how we build connections. That’s how most people heal.
If you can look back on photos that were taken during challenging times of your life, you’re able to appreciate where you are now. It's a way to remind yourself that although it may be a bad day, it’s not a bad life.
Allow yourself to be true to yourself.
Allow yourself to open up.
Allow yourself to be YOU.
