‘Growing Up’

These illustrations were inspired by a piece called ‘Beautiful Women’ (author unknown) about a woman’s self-image through her life. This was a piece that went viral on the internet last year, as it touched on the real feelings that many women have at different stages in their lives, as well as offering true and sage advice.

BEAUTIFUL WOMEN

Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a Queen.

Age 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella.

Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an Ugly Sister (Mum I can’t go to school looking like this!)

Age 20: She looks at herself and sees ‘too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly’- but decides she’s going out anyway.

Age 30: She looks at herself and sees ‘too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly’ — but decides she doesn’t have time to fix it, so she’s going out anyway.

Age 40: She looks at herself and sees ‘too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly’ — but says, “At least I am clean’ and goes out anyway.

Age 50: She looks at herself and sees ‘I am’ and goes wherever she wants to go.

Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can’t even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and conquers the world.

Age 70: She looks at herself and sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out and enjoys life.

Age 80: Doesn’t bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with the world.

Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier!