I didn’t open up to friends and family about my psoriasis because I didn’t want to worry them with my problems, and I also thought that they wouldn’t get it because they weren’t going through it. I think a big part of psoriasis that's misunderstood is that it goes so much deeper than skin. Before I created my Instagram account, @psoriasis_thoughts, in 2016, I found that a lot of people were talking about treatment online, but I didn’t see anyone talking about the emotional impact of the condition.
I started @psoriasis_thoughts for myself, without telling anybody in my personal life. I didn’t show my face; I just posted words and quotes, some of the thoughts from my diary. In one of my first posts, I wondered about how anyone would love me looking like this. A few people commented on my stuff, saying things like, I get it. Don’t worry, people will love you. These were people I had never met, who had never seen my face. I also saw other people who were living with psoriasis posting skin pics, and I remember I then had this urge to take a picture of myself.
I put up a photo of my face and my hand; it was a very vulnerable thing for me. If you live for 22 years hiding a part of yourself, being embarrassed about a part of yourself, and then all of a sudden just say, Forget it, it's exhilarating, and I'm so grateful I did it.
I began sharing more openly and putting my face out there. I started to build my confidence and feel more empowered in my skin.
Now, four years later, my goal is to be a leading source of support to people living with and newly diagnosed with psoriasis, to remind them that they are not alone.
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a35182135/psoriasis-owning-it-2021/
No comments:
Post a Comment