Kelly Schumacher

7 years. Almost 33 in Thailand → 26 in Cancún.

It’s strange looking at these pictures side by side because in some ways I hardly recognize the girl on the right.

At 26, I cared so much about how I was perceived. My nails had to be done, my makeup had to be right, every outfit was specifically chosen. I spent so much energy thinking about how I looked and whether I was presenting the version of myself that other people expected to see.

Seven years later, I’m realizing how much my priorities have changed. I still love beautiful things, getting dressed up and feeling pretty, but I care so much more about how my life feels than how my life looks.

I care about being comfortable. Being present. Having experiences. Being around people I love. Doing things that make me feel alive. And figuring out what I actually want instead of constantly measuring myself against what I think other people expect of me.

I still struggle a lot with the way I see my body, and I definitely haven’t figured everything out. But I think I’m much kinder to myself than I was at 26.

It’s funny, I probably looked more “put together” then, but I feel so much more like myself now.

Almost 33. ❤️