Yesterday, I woke up at 5am. I find it easy to get up early now, all it took was practice. You only become what you're exposed to.

I went to the gym, I ran laps outside in the dark and wondered if I was crazy. I grabbed an ice coffee, and came home to have my hair and makeup done. Around 9am, I shot with a photographer that intimidated me. It was storming, I opened the windows to hear the rain. We shot in the light spaces that leaked through, creating shapes on my walls.

By 11 am, I was sitting back at my desk and writing. Sipping another coffee and listening to Marianne Williamson. I felt high off of everything I had already done that day.

Around 2pm, I had another photoshoot at my place. I had two other artist friends over, we sipped afternoon wine, and talked about being women in art. We filled my guest room with music, energy, and ordered a huge pizza. We sat out on my fire escape and talked about love. I looked down below, in my pink lingerie and stockings, smoking under the grey sky. How wonderfully full this day was, and it was only the afternoon. The old me would of hidden inside during a stormy day like this. The old me would of been scared.

Some days you realize how far you've come. Not in the big ways, but the small ways. The accumulation of experiences, and the release of fears. You let yourself live it all now. You're exposed and vulnerable, and it feels alright.

charlie faux fur shaggy jacket by Pretty Attitude

photos by Emilynn Rose