My Jezebel Journey

We asked Amy, one of our clients (who’s had a few sessions with us), if she’d mind sharing her Jezebel experience and part of her self-love journey with us. We are so excited to give her the spotlight so she can tell us her story!

I thought I was happy and comfortable with myself and my body. I loved getting my photos taken and thought I had worked through alot of my body issues already so didn’t really think this would “change my life” per se. 

I really didn’t realize how much I needed JVZ! 

I thought I was just walking into another shoot. This wasn’t the first time I’ve had a photo session or even a boudoir shoot so I honestly didn’t think that much about it. 

But after my first session, I realized there was something different about JVZ. 

Yes, I logically knew JVZ is a body positive boudoir studio and that they loved all body shapes and sizes, but my actual experience opened up new emotional responses I didn’t expect. Somehow through these few sessions and through my time of growth as a Brand Ambassador, my eyes have been opened up to how much I still need to process my own thoughts and perceptions of my body and myself. 

I have already done so much work and yet there was still more to do.

And these experiences have taught me that I will never be “done”! I will always need to focus on loving myself first and then loving others. It is a journey–a long journey–but with each step it gets a little easier to the next step and the step after that. 

I want to continue to blaze a trail not only for myself but for others! To pull them along with me so that they can also see how wonderful and amazing they are too! It starts with me, but in the end it’s for everyone! 

If we can all learn to love ourselves then we can love everyone else better too and allow them to love us back! And what a day that will be!

With Jezebel VonZephyr I found a place to be seen and heard! 

I found a place where they wanted me to see how beautiful I was. I found a place where I could see my beauty with the way I was captured in those moments of fleeting time. I found a place of body love! And I want everyone to experience that too!

What do I really Believe?

After my session(s) I challenged so many of my long-held beliefs about myself and my body. I say I love myself and my body, but my photo shoots have really challenged me to ask myself “do I really believe that?” 

Do I really love those flabby legs and love handles? Logically I say yes, but when I’m feeling most vulnerable all that comes to my mind are the negative thoughts. I know  that they’re trying to protect me; our survivor instincts tell us lies to guard us against hurt and shame. But I’m learning to tell my survivor girl that I  appreciate her trying to protect me–but please buzz off. Let’s stop telling ourselves these awful things! Let’s break the cycle together!

After my Jezebel sessions, my relationship with my body has changed for the positive. I now see those flabby legs and think about all the skiing and running I do with them! They are flabby and they’re amazing! Those shorts I was afraid to wear in public? Not anymore! I wear them if I want to! I’m not afraid of ridicule or shame any longer!

Redefining Self-Love

Jezebel has helped me redefine self-love. To me, self-love is learning to love all the parts of you as they are and not trying to change them for the sake of someone else. Self-love is growing and learning to take care of yourself first–otherwise you can’t take care of others. 

Self-love is being aware of your negative inner voice and being willing and curious to acknowledge the thoughts, process them, and then when you realize that they’re false yell right back at them that they are wrong! 

Self-love means you love all of yourself and know that you can’t do this perfectly but you will continue to do your best at doing it anyhow! Jezebel has been a primary contributor in my journey of self-love and I owe them a metaphorical debt I could never pay!

Self-Care Since Jezebel

My definition of self-care has changed since I did my first Jezebel session. I strive to be more aware of my inner voice so I can be safe in my own thoughts and feelings. I’m learning to better recognize when I need a break. I’m learning to slow down before responding to others and think about what I need and want before I impulsively say yes to friends and family. These changes are in part because of the work I’ve done at JVZ but also through other proactive personal investments, like therapy.

Any Advice?

If I could go back and give Past Amy advice before she goes into her first session it would be this: 

This will change your life! I know you don’t think so but be a little less skeptical and a little more open to letting the light and love in! 

I still think my past self wouldn’t believe even if my future self showed up in physical form to share this, but hey it would be worth the effort to try! 🙂

I also want to add that it’s worth every penny of investment for yourself!