literally-lauren-blog

[literally-lauren-blog]

Angered and Ashamed

Whatever began the anger woke you to its value and worth Your heart is at war your defense, a fist Don’t be ashamed As your soul is fighting to exist

[literally-lauren-blog]

Hello Stranger. I have been living with a stranger for twenty years now. And for twenty years, I never went out of my way to get to know that person. For twenty years, I have never gotten to know myself. But In five days, all of that changes. No more self hate. No more self blame. No more lies. No more relentless pushing for "perfection". No more comparing. Only self love. Only positive criticism. Only Truth. Only Grace. Only Acceptance. Dear self, I can't wait to finally meet you and say "welcome home!" ❤️ #ThisIsMyEatPrayLoveJourney #ExcitedToMeetAStranger #ExcitedToMeetMe #GoingUpNorth #NeedMeSomePeaceAndQuiet #CantWait #ThatViewTho #ItsGunnaBeAllMine 😍☺️

[literally-lauren-blog]

If we feel the need to change ourselves in any kind of way in order to acquire love, then do we really understand the meaning of love?

[literally-lauren-blog]

A little bit about myself, Mental Health Awareness, and Photography Here are some things NOT to say to someone who suffers from depression: What? You're depressed AGAIN?! Just get over it. But weren't you depressed like, last week? Oh, you aren't really depressed; it's just a phase. Someone your age shouldn't be having depression. Why can't you just be "normal"? You're so angsty. And angsty is unattractive. Just get over yourself and you will feel better. Did it ever occur to you that your depression might be a punishment for an unresolved sin? And last but not least, my favorite one... You need a hobby. I do have a hobby. Photography. I'm still not very good at it, and I'm okay with that fact ; I'm still learning and I love that. I first dove into photography because I found that I enjoyed capturing things that were long term frames for the eyes to enjoy. It was aesthetic. I also wanted to create images that challenged people to think. Little did I know that photography would later become a key outlet to helping me cope and purge my depression. For years I was looking at life through grey scale, kaleidoscope lenses; but when I looked through the viewfinder of my Cannon DSLR for the first time, I realized this: Sometimes when you want to take a photograph of something, there will be times when you're going to have to really look for the beauty that is disguised right before your eyes. And that's one thing I really like about photography; It taught me to see the beauty in the ordinary. Another gem that I picked through portraying my depression is this: Depression is a lot like the concept of photography: Capturing moments. MOMENTS. When I am depressed, I am CAPTURED in waves and swirls, different hues and exposures of sadnesses and anxiety....but only for a MOMENT. Wether it be three days to three months. My depression is only for but a MOMENT. It does not last forever. And that is the beauty in depression. So when someone tells me that I am selfish because my depression or anxiety keeps me inside my own bed more than it does by their side, I simply chuckle to myself because that person is looking through a camera that still has the lens cap on.

[literally-lauren-blog]

Never be neutral. Always be brave.

You aren’t here to just coast through life. Pick a side. Stand for something. // @abillionlittlethoughts (via abillionlittlethoughts)

[literally-lauren-blog]

I spend my nights wondering if you’ll ever come back to me.

Maybe, just maybe we weren’t ready for each other yet. Maybe we need to grow, maybe we need to see the world and know that we can be happy alone. Then one day when we have lived, loved and survived our paths will cross again. Maybe then, we will be ready. (via crashingwaves-burningsouls)

[literally-lauren-blog]

"...and the dance is a celebration of that miracle." ❤️

“Think of the magic of that foot, comparatively small, upon which your whole weight rests. It’s a miracle, and the dance is a celebration of that miracle.” -Martha Graham