From a young age, (twelve) I was worried that my vulva wasn't normal, and I stressed about it for years. Years of worrying about my body later, I resorted to looking up porn, out of curiosity of what it was "supposed to look like" and I was horrified. I was horrified that my body didn't look like theirs. I even began to think of my body as disgusting. I didn't even want to look at it in the shower because it made me want to cry.. I also started hearing comments at school, about the way labia should look, and about how a "loose" vagina always had larger outer labia. Although the actual comments made were much more crude. And it hurt me so deeply, and I began to truly believe that my body was this awful, revolting thing that I should never think about. I never thought I could love that part of myself.

Until the body positivity movement began to become pronounced. I started seeing these beautiful, raw photos of women baring their belly rolls and their stretch marks with these amazing smiles. It moved me. It took a long time, years in fact, but slowly I started to love myself more. And the last thing to conquer, was my repulsion of my vulva, in particular my labia. The vulva gallery helped me tremendously on my journey, and now I can finally say that I've conquered that final obstacle. Yes there will be moments of insecurity, but I'll never again look at myself and be truly disgusted. How could I ever think that about myself? About this most intimate part of me?

The vulva gallery is truly a beautiful thing, and I wouldn't be the same person as I am now without it. I can't explain how much better I feel, there are no words. I guess true happiness comes the closest. Once you're at peace with yourself you can focus on bringing that peace into other people's lives and I plan on doing just that. Much love 💚