Since I do love photography, it's a chance for me to be creative, and it's a chance for me to think about my pain and my chronic conditions in a very different way. Because most of my photography I do try to focus on joyful colorful things or pictures, or you know, areas in the world. So it forced me to think about it a little bit in that way.

I wanted a self portrait, I wanted to show myself who I am in this current state. Wearing something sparkly, adds joy, light reflected on it. I was reticent at first, I offered to do this, but how do I do it? Reticent to focus on my body, what my pain looks like. Realized that it's an expression through a medium I really love using. It’s a chance to think about my chronic conditions in a very different way. 

I decided to try to focus on joy and color, not only focus on the negative of it. Bringing in my sense of style and bringing in - faded/muted but it still has color. 

I intentionally set myself up in my house, sparkly but the domesticity of being at home. It’s a balance between the bright vibrant world that is out there. Intentionally warm, cozy lighting at home. Sparkles help light/joy allow for lots of color, it feels prettier, femininity, pain can feel ugly, it's nice to feel pretty.

@unapologetic.story.project (Instagram)