Photographed by Paulina Pereira Q: In your opinion, when does a girl become a woman? A: I feel like this is one of those things that can widely vary between individuals. I don't believe that "becoming a woman" happens at any one specific age or milestone; but that it is more of a process where all the steps are optional. No two women will have the same events and/or beliefs that will shape her into who she is. The amazing secret about this, is that there really are no rules saying what you can or should achieve/become to be validated as a person and as a woman. Whether you want to go to school, learn a trade, have a kid or don’t, travel the world or stay home, etc... Just do what makes you happy and always push yourself to be a better person. Make mistakes, work hard, and have fun and you’ll become a woman along the way :) Q: What are your thoughts on masturbation? A: A fabulous question! One that should be discussed more openly and more often! Obviously masturbation is a very taboo topic of conversation, especially here in Utah; and I think many are torn between doing it and feel shameful about it; while others are not ashamed of doing it, but are not met with positive response upon sharing that about themselves. Others, perhaps are not doing it (for whatever personal reasons) or have never actually tried it out, (because - fear, shame and/or perhaps not being sure what to try, if you’d even like it, etc.) But along with being good for your body and your general happiness, masturbation also helps you understand your own body and yourself as a sexual, sensual being and helps you feel more comfortable in your own skin. I always encourage my friends to explore themselves intimately, specifically my female friends; and especially those who haven’t really tried it and/or are afraid to really explore themselves. Keep an open mind and try it! And also, I’m always willing to take them to the sex shop to buy their first vibrator or pair of handcuffs. ;) Q: What's a mistake you've learned from? A: I think one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made in life, one I continued to make time and time again (especially as I was growing up) is selling myself short. Not valuing myself as a person and allowing others to walk on me, making my decisions for me. As I learned and grew into myself, with time/experience I started to catch myself before making this mistake and began standing up for myself. One of the best ways for me to continue developing this habit is to spend my time with people who make me want to be a better person, who encourage and lift me up, without enabling me. Honestly, the people you surround yourself with has such a huge affect on who you are as a person and who you will become. Q: Does nudity empower you? (in general and/or your own nudity) A: Absolutely! In many places around the world, nudity is much more accepted/encouraged, not only in public places such as nude beaches in Portugal and mineral baths in Germany, but also in families. Children grow up seeing themselves, their siblings and their parents in various forms of nakedness and skin just becomes skin. It’s hard to sexualize the human body when it’s normalized, when you’ve grown up with it around you. I, however, grew up in Utah, where nakedness is prohibited and the human body is sexualized to the highest extreme; where modesty is considered a virtue and we are taught that our bodies are too sacred to be revealed. While I do believe that nakedness is sacred, I’ve come to believe that we are at our most natural and most raw in the nude. I think part of being comfortable with yourself is being comfortable with the nakedness and rawness of others' (both literally and figuratively) and being comfortable with your own body around others. This is a process! I don’t quite feel comfortable being naked around that many people, but I want to be! Maybe on my next vacation, I’ll go to a nude beach in somewhere in Europe. ;) Seems like a good way to push me out of my comfort zone this year! Q: When are you most proud of yourself? A: I feel most proud of myself when I am actively contributing to my goals and towards being a better person on the daily. Like the rest of us, some months and seasons are better than others, but I always feel best when I am striving to spend my time being mindful and present. Things like being kind to my body, by never drinking too much, eating well, staying active, making art and music; and spending time with people who help my feel inflamed about the things I love and the things I believe in. Q: What is the greatest difference between you now and you 5 years ago? A: Honestly, I feel like I am a completely different person than the one I was five years ago! I was only 20 years old, freshly dropped out of college with no idea of what I wanted from life. I was still learning how to really work and be on my own. I was still worried about how I was seen by others and how to reconcile the differences between the way I was raised and things I was starting to learn and believe. Now, halfway through my 20s, I feel that I see the world very differently than I once did. One of the biggest differences is that I now feel comfortable in my own skin. Hear more from Emily & check out her beautiful apothecary shop online! www.instagram.com/awitchintheattic/ A Witch in the Attic Copyright 2018 © Broadminded Broad. All Rights Reserved.
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Photographed by Paulina Pereira Hair & Make Up by Rae Elisabet Silva
Copyright 2018 © Broadminded Broad. All Rights Reserved.
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