You are beautiful

I bet the answer is "rarely".

Most days, our self-expression takes a negative turn.

We say things like, 'Uh, I look terrible,' or 'I'm a mess'. In French, there's an even harsher phrase that literally translates to, 'I look like nothing.' What a horrible thing to say though!

But on recent days, I’ve found myself wrapped in an unusual sense of beauty.
Yes, I was looking at myself in the mirror thinking "I like what I'm seeing".

Ordinarily, I would withhold such a thought... I mean that's not a thing to say, is it ? But today I decided it was worth sharing, hoping to spark the amazing feeling of (finally) feeling beautiful.

Because whilst self-love is all the rage, owning up such a level of confidence is mistaken for arrogance.

What a terrible mistake.

Owning your beauty is so empowering.

I was reminded heard it best in the mouth of Lous and the Yakuza, on Lena Mahfouf’s Canapé Six Places.

At 15, the young women moved from Congo to Belgium, where she faced racism head-on and defied it with unshakable confidence.

Despite the teasing about the color of her skin and the texture of her hair, she held onto a mantra: 'You guys just don’t get it: I’m fresh.'

This brought back memories of how, as a teenager, some peers would mock my outfits. I often found myself laughing with them, almost pitying their inability to have the courage it takes to stand out.

A few weeks ago as I was publicly celebrated by a photographer on instagram : 'Brimming with heart and joy, she carries the innocent wonder of a child, yet also stands as a woman with a formidable presence."

Morgane is an old friend and brilliant photographer who reached out to do a photoshoot at my house. I immediately accepted.

What are you looking to capture today?' she asked.

"My womanhood. Playful, confident and powerful" - I replied.

I had so much fun that Sunday. And when I showed the photos to people, I felt so proud.

'Steph, these are amazing! Any special project?' they wondered.

'Just me celebrating me,' I said, beaming with a Swaggy kind of pride.

At the risk of sounding narcissistic, I believe there's merit in embracing a healthy dose of ego. It's about striking a balance between self-awareness and self-appreciation.

We're all so eager to criticize influencers, and yet there is dormant envy within every one of us.

They're out there, like, 'I'm sexy and I know it.' And somehow, it takes courage to put that in the (digital) world. To be blind to this is hypocritical.

Oh my god, I know what you're thinking— yes, it's so cliché, but it's a cliché for a reason: it's deeply true.

I know what fuels my beauty. It’s the confidence I get from spending time with the people I love, expressing my creativity, feeling my body is strong and healthy ... that ignite my radiant aura.

Just like everyone, I goo through phases. There are days (weeks ... ok, sometimes even months) where trust me, I find myself NOT beautiful.

And when I feel ugly, I view this as a chance for deeper understanding. It's never just about appearances. There's always a layer beneath waiting to be discovered, and I approach it with a sense of curiosity and eagerness to uncover more of human experience.

After months of so-called "self-work", I now behold in the mirror a woman whom I genuinely love.Sure, there are times when the mirror isn't kind, and some days I just don't like what I see.

It’s pretty clear that beauty is more than what meets the eye. It’s a feeling, a state of being, a way we see ourselves and the world around us. It's about finding that inner spark, even on the days when it feels dim.

So, the next time you catch your reflection, pause for a moment. See beyond the surface. Find that unique, radiant beauty that is inherently yours. Embrace it, celebrate it.

Stay beautiful, inside and out, Swaggy friends.

Until next time,