Taking the Leap + Food For Thought + Aging, Choice, and Freedom: Doing What Feels Right for You | 12.12.24
SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE :-)
Hello Beautiful,
If you read last week’s newsletter, you already know how much I love lists and goal-setting—the short-term ones that keep me grounded and the long-term ones that keep me dreaming big. One of my goals right now is not just to show up authentically but to push myself further, to grow, and to share my art with the world in new ways. For me, that means making a real effort to ensure my work is seen—something I’ve never done on this scale before.
This month, I’ve decided it’s time to take the leap. I recently discovered two opportunities to submit my work, and it feels like the universe gave me the nudge I needed. The first submission is for a local exhibition in my community, which feels incredibly special. The idea of sharing my art with the people who live and create alongside me is deeply meaningful.
The second submission is for an international boudoir association. It’s an opportunity to share my work within a broader artistic community, one that celebrates the same love for capturing beauty and vulnerability that I hold close.
Here’s the truth—I’ve never submitted my work anywhere before, EVER! This is a completely new experience for me. There’s a certain vulnerability in putting yourself out there and opening up your work to be judged and critiqued. But there’s also something undeniably empowering about deciding to take a chance on yourself, to step forward despite the nerves.
So here I am, doing it. The first deadline is just a few days away, and the second one is due on December 22. I have no idea what will happen, but I know this: I’m taking steps to grow, to tell the stories of women through my art, and to celebrate their strength, complexity, and beauty in a way that deserves to be seen.
I’m sharing this with you because maybe there’s a part of you that needs this too. Maybe there’s a dream or goal you’ve been quietly holding onto. Let this be a little reminder that it’s worth pursuing—even if it’s unfamiliar, even if it feels scary. Every small step forward matters, and it’s in those steps that we grow.
For me, this is about so much more than submissions. It’s about creating art that connects, uplifts, and celebrates the beauty in us all. No matter the outcome, I’m proud of this moment—of trusting myself and taking this leap. And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll see my work in a gallery or museum. Until then, I’ll keep showing up, growing, and putting my heart into everything I create.
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INSPIRATION
Food For Thought
”When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive— to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
— Marcus Aurelius
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THIS WEEK’S CONVERSATION
Aging, Choice, and Freedom: Doing What Feels Right for You
This week, I randomly had THREE separate conversations with girlfriends about Botox. These weren’t surface-level chats about trends or recommendations—they were deeper discussions about choice, self-perception, and how we navigate aging while staying true to ourselves.
Aging is something I’ve given a lot of thought to, and my perspective is simple: it’s a privilege. The alternative is, quite frankly, not living, so I’ll always choose aging.
The decision to do anything to or for yourself is deeply personal. Whether it’s choosing Botox or embracing every line and wrinkle as a testament to yourlife, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The beauty of it lies in choosing what feels right for you.
There’s a lot of noise when it comes to aging—what’s “acceptable,” what’s “natural,” and what you “should” or “shouldn’t” do. It’s easy to feel boxed in or judged no matter which path you take. But at the end of the day, it’s yourface, your body, and your decision.
I’ll admit, right now I welcome aging as it comes. Every line and scar feels like a part of my story, a reminder of the moments that have shaped me. But I also believe in leaving space for change. If one day I choose to do something differently—whether it’s Botox, a facelift, or anything else—that’s my choice to make. I say never say never because no one knows how they’ll feel in the future. What matters most is that any decision is made for the right reasons—your reasons.
The conversation about aging often feels like it’s framed as a debate. Are you “for” or “against” Botox? Pro or anti-cosmetic procedures? To me, these questions miss the point entirely. It’s not about sides; it’s about freedom. The freedom to decide what makes you feel like your most authentic self.
For some, that’s embracing every wrinkle as a badge of honor. For others, it’s reclaiming their sense of self through enhancements. Both paths are valid. Both choices are powerful.
What we need most is a culture of support—a space where women can make these decisions without judgment or unsolicited opinions. Whether you choose to age naturally or explore procedures, the goal is the same: to feel confident and at home in your own skin.
Because this isn’t about Botox, facelifts, or gray hair. It’s about freedom. The freedom to own your choices, the confidence to define beauty on your terms, and the strength to celebrate yourself, however that looks.
Aging is a privilege, and how you choose to age is entirely up to you. Yourbeauty, your story, your journey—they’re all yours to own.
Choose what feels right for YOU. Always.
XX, AMY
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