Unapologetic Project
Feel the empowerment from these 113 women who participated in the 22025 International Women’s Day project.
Kat called the women to strip naked, to show themselves, to be real. To be true, to be fierce. To be authentic in their bodies.
She offered them mind-blowing, earth-shattering, life-changing LIBERATION.
This project was the realisation that enough was enough.
Enough apologising. Enough being small.
Enough conforming. Enough modifying behaviour.
Enough shrinking.
UNAPOLOGETIC was the call to stand up. Speak out. Be seen. Be heard. Be themselves unapologetically.
UNAPOLOGETIC is the right to choose.
UNAPOLOGETIC is the continuation of the fight for women by women for equality in this world.
UNAPOLOGETIC is the war cry to all women across the world.
UNAPOLOGETIC is healing, body autonomy, liberation, authenticity.
UNAPOLOGETIC IS A REVOLUTION.
Unapologetic IS A WAY OF LIFE.
Want to discover more?
You can see photos and videos from the Unapologetic Live Show and KATwalk and take a closer look at the Unapologetic Exhibition.
That feels tricky right now, quite honestly. I'm not quite sure I am feeling UNapologetic right now. I'm feeling very tired and I want to hibernate. So much has happened over the last year or so and my mind and body is in turmoil so much of the time.
However, over the years I am definitely feeling more like myself and less need to hide. I don't wear make-up, I embrace my natural curly hair and understand how to look after it, I accept and love my body hair. I try to make better choices like using natural products where I can, reusable menstrual products, cloth wipes for the loo, few toxins like perfumes, and chemicals in the house, barefoot shoes and comfy clothes to stop squishing my body in to uncomfortable things.
I'm still learning about boundaries and assertiveness, femininity, misogyny and feeling comfortable to be myself (thank you for being part of my journey!), but I stuck up for myself enough to leave an abusive relationship with my child 6.5 years ago. I unfortunately still have to deal with it every day and still get awful messages about how I'm the problem, the abusive one, every decision I've made is wrong etc. and deal with my poor child who suffers still, but most of the time now I can LAUGH at this sad pathetic man who is trying to control and manipulate me.
I can say NO I will not be defined by what you think of me. You do not KNOW me.
Which just reminded me of a little poem I wrote a few years ago which I'll share with you if it's ok. I actually wrote 2 versions, but this is the 2nd and I've changed the first line to "woman" but I actually love that it can be anything, a person, a parent, a woman, a lover.
I am a woman, I change, I grow.
I am no longer the person you think you know.
For yesterday I changed, and today I grew,
So far from the person, you thought you knew.
I'm female, I'm quiet, I don't fit the box that 'Society' wants to cram me into. Bits of me are left out & I'm told I’m not enough. I'm faulty if I don't fit in.
I turn to Mother Nature, no apology there. She is strong, does what she needs to and doesn't give a fuck. We are all Her children so now no box is needed, just the knowledge that we are all held in Her arms.
We are enough and as more of us step forward, we rise up together to reclaim our authentic UNAPOLOGETIC selves and our equality.
I'm female, I'm quiet, I don't fit the box that 'Society' wants to cram me into. Bits of me are left out & I'm told I’m not enough. I'm faulty if I don't fit in.
I turn to Mother Nature, no apology there. She is strong, does what she needs to and doesn't give a fuck. We are all Her children so now no box is needed, just the knowledge that we are all held in Her arms.
We are enough and as more of us step forward, we rise up together to reclaim our authentic UNAPOLOGETIC selves and our equality.
I have never felt good enough, thin enough, pretty enough, clever enough. I've never felt worthy.
Society trains us to not feel good enough, to not feel worthy of success, respect, happiness, wealth. We are taught to judge others and ourselves harshly. As women we are taught our only value comes from sacrificial acts of service.
I AM ENOUGH
I AM WORTHY
I AM EXACTLY ENOUGH, EXACTLY AS I AM
My body is worthy of being seen
My words are worthy of being heard
I WILL NOT APOLOGISE FOR TAKING UP SPACE WITH MYSELF AND MY WORDS
I have never felt good enough, thin enough, pretty enough, clever enough. I've never felt worthy.
Society trains us to not feel good enough, to not feel worthy of success, respect, happiness, wealth. We are taught to judge others and ourselves harshly. As women we are taught our only value comes from sacrificial acts of service.
I AM ENOUGH
I AM WORTHY
I AM EXACTLY ENOUGH, EXACTLY AS I AM
My body is worthy of being seen
My words are worthy of being heard
I WILL NOT APOLOGISE FOR TAKING UP SPACE WITH MYSELF AND MY WORDS
My brain has blocked out much of my childhood, but the bits I remember are horrific. My earliest memories of my dad raping and sexually abusing me are as a tiny 5-year-old, and he continued until I was almost 16 when he got me pregnant and I had a termination.
I lived a life of fear. I tried to take my own life twice. Wherever, whenever, he'd take the risk, even keeping me off school to abuse me. The only place I felt safe was the woods, and whenever I could, I’d sneak out to the safety of my beloved trees. I think that’s why I have such a strong connection to trees and nature.
Fear, shame and embarrassment meant I didn’t tell anyone about this until 5 years ago, aged 55, I heard a podcast featuring a lady who was 80 years old when she spoke out about her sexual abuse by her dad. She said that "she didn't want to take her truth to her grave, and into her next life." I realised I didn’t, either. She set me free.
I’ve told my family and closest friends and been amazed by the ripple effect, with people saying, "Me too." I managed to get help from the rape crisis team and the NHS. I often have flashbacks, but I can sort of deal with them now.
I felt like a tiny snowball on top of a big hill. The more people I spoke to, the faster I rolled down, the bigger I got, the freer I felt. I wish I’d spoken out while he was alive. He’d have served a very long sentence.
The beautiful scar on my tummy is from a ruptured appendix. My surgeon said if I’d gone to hospital a day later, I would have died. Without that scar, I wouldn't be here telling my story.
I am so UNAPOLOGETIC for being me. I am worthy of everyone and everything in my life. I am worthy of love and happiness. What he did to me does not shape me.
I am me and now I am free. I am not a victim. I am a fucking warrior woman. If my truth helps just one woman to be Unapologetic and finally speak her truth that would be fantastic.
We as women have a voice and a right for it to be heard.
Unapologetically Me
Too young. Too old. Too loud. Too messy, flirty, opinionated. Too bossy, chatty, generous. Too weird, serious, complicated. Too much.
For so long, I let these labels define me. I shrank and shaped myself to fit the expectations of others—society, family, even my own self-doubt. I relied on external validation to tell me who I was and what my purpose should be.
I changed my personality, likes, dislikes, and even my appearance to make others comfortable. I put everyone else’s needs before my own because that’s what I thought I was supposed to do—as a daughter, wife, mother and carer.
But during the first lockdown, stripped of the normality of everyday life, I was left alone with myself and the unsettling realization that I didn’t know who I was or what I truly wanted.
Then my lightbulb moment hit: No one was ever going to give me permission to live the life I wanted. I had to give it to myself.
It wasn’t easy. Thinking of myself first felt selfish. Guilt tried to pull me back into old patterns. But slowly, things changed. I apologised—to myself—for not believing I was enough, and that became my greatest act of healing.
My 40s have been about dropping the masks and embracing my authentic self. I’ve embraced my spiritual path, explored my shadows, and said “yes” to opportunities even when I didn’t have a plan. I’ve started living life for me.
Being unapologetic has brought me freedom, joy, and deep contentment. It’s taught me that we’re all unique, and that’s something to celebrate—not hide.
I feel passionate about mental health and advocating for neurodiversity. No one should feel they’re “less” because they don’t fit into a neat little box. Being different is powerful. Being authentic is brave. Being our true selves gives us a kind of freedom. We discover what it means to live fully, take up space, and stop apologising for being who we are.
If you’re reading this, please know: It’s okay to put yourself first. It’s okay to rewrite your story. It's never too late and you don’t need anyone’s permission to live the life that makes you happy.
When you stop apologising and start embracing your true self, you’ll find a life richer and fuller than you ever imagined.
And that is a beautiful thing.
I spent so many years not being true to myself, worrying what others thought or would think. Then, mainly through dance, I started to grow in confidence and found acceptance and pride in who I had become.
I hope 'Unapologetic' will give more women strength to fulfil their hopes and dreams and break the chains of control and repression, and defeat inequality but also remember repressed women around the world who are being silenced.
"What has stopped you being totally proud of yourself?" This question really stopped me in my tracks. The first thing that came to mind is that it feels like a lot of effort. Effort I don't have once I have done the daily rituals of being a woman. How to dress. Is it flattering? What to say, how to say it. Don't offend anyone. Don't be a burden. Do your hair. Your makeup. Skincare. Shaving.... Blah blah blah. On top of that I have the daily dose of disability which is forever changing. One day, my balance is off and I'm falling all over the place just trying to get from A-B, the next day my bladder and bowel decide to inconveniently misbehave resulting in spasms and incontinence. Then I have the odd night of pain that keeps me awake wondering if the night will ever end. I feel tired and feeling proud of myself feels like a hard task.
However, this year I am sooooo fucking proud. I am tired and proud: unapologetically proud, disabled and proud. I want to show that you can be messy and proud. Muddling through the depths of life and still really fucking proud of how far you've come. Sometimes I need reminding and that's also part of it. Some days being proud is shouting it from the rooftop and other days it's quietly acknowledging how grateful I am for my persistence... Either way it is beautiful.
To me, being unapologetic means freedom. Not moulding to please others but taking up space as your truest self without worrying about other people's opinions... This I struggle with. To me, being unapologetic as a woman is choice…we get to choose how to act, how to dress, how to feel, whether to have certain medical procedures like terminations or hysterectomies and we get to choose to keep our power. I choose choice. It is our birth right.
I felt nervous taking these photos but it was actually really fun! I felt sexy which never happens! Maybe that is even a choice, I choose to feel sexy. I will be doing other photoshoots for sure, I think it's unlocked something... Is this what being unapologetic feels like?!
I do not apologise for being fucked up when my father abandoned me. I forgive myself for all the hurt I caused myself as a result.
I do not apologise for having healed my wounds. I forgive myself for all the times I self-sabotaged.
I do not apologise for refusing to allow you to project your wounds onto me. I forgive myself for all the times I allowed this to happen.
I do not apologise for being generous of figure. I forgive myself for feeling it ever made me less worthy.
I do not apologise for carrying more weight than most. I forgive myself for needing to hurt myself this way.
I do not apologise for the extra subcutaneous fat that cushions my belly, my thighs and my arse nor for the extra space that I take up. I forgive myself for not overcoming this addiction – yet.
I do not apologise for the mess that I make, for cluttered corners and for the daily struggle of trying to be organized when I simply am not. I forgive myself for every bit of judgement I have placed upon myself.
I do not apologise for prioritising my healing. I forgive myself for not doing it much, much sooner.
I do not apologise for FINALLY loving myself fiercely, unconditionally and first.
I forgive myself, with love.
As a child I never felt good enough. When I achieved 95% in a multiple choice test at primary school, my Dad’s response was, “Why didn’t you get 100% - the answers were in front of you?” I still have a fear of multiple choice tests.
I spent so much time and energy on trying to gain approval, to feel loved, by the people who should love their child unconditionally. I made poor choices partly because of this craving for love.
But that changed after I became a mother. I learned the value of unconditional love (given to and received from my children). I realised I was worth more than accepting the first thing that came along and I could survive on my own – I had a support network of one friend, who I am blessed with, and is still the rock she has always been.
At the grand old age of 51, I finally broke free and began my rebirth, my empowerment, my journey, on my terms, my unapologetic journey whereby I am flourishing. Following my first couple of tattoos, my mother made a point of reminding me that she doesn’t “approve of those sorts of things”. And for the first time in my life I felt able to say to her “I know”.
My tattoos are UNAPOLOGETICALLY my choice; my decision; my way of expressing how I feel. A permanent reminder of survival, of love, of growth. And I am taking back ownership of my choices.
By taking part in this project I am UNAPOLOGETICALLY acknowledging my body, my power, my journey and I am so grateful for this sisterhood that is inclusive of the uniqueness of us all.
From growing up and not being wanted, staying small was my thing. I owned it, I was good at it.
I couldn’t believe my luck when someone actually wanted to be with me and marry me (despite him being many years older). This actually turned into my hell, being told on a daily basis how disgusting I was, how I should be ashamed and embarrassed about how I looked and behaved. After 3 children and not knowing which way was up, no wonder he was always after other women. I was a mess. One day, it became clear, it was all too much, living in fear… not knowing, trusting or even liking myself.
I would always pretend everything was ok, talking to my dad. He begged me to leave for years… and then one day he stopped begging. On my 42nd birthday he just said, ‘Your mum died at your age; if this ever happened to you… god forbid, how would you feel knowing that this is all there was'… that was the kick I needed.
From that day I worked towards getting a separation. I literally had to lose everything and that’s ok. A few years on…
I am alive now! I’ve been doing the work, (still am but I embrace every learning). I am very careful who I give my energy to.
I don’t listen to others talk, it’s my own voices I have tamed.
I have made peace with not ever being there for my younger self… I bloody am now. I am unconditional love to every part of who I am.
I have become a Breathwork, Belief Coding, Past Life Regression Facilitator and Reiki Energy Healing master. And I’m spreading and sharing this work, doing whatever it takes to make sure every woman has the pieces to make them realise, when they are ready, they are enough exactly as they are.
I fight to be seen every day and I truly have stopped apologising (unless I've been a twat which I have been known to be!). It infuriates me to hear women apologise for just taking up space, but that used to be me.
I'm a warrior, a survivor, a goddess and a sparkly one at that!!
I suffered emotional abuse, neglect and cruelty but I found the strength to walk away. Child loss, heartbreak, heartache and unimaginable grief and still I rise and I fucking sparkle! I'm not perfect but I'm happy and I shine. To everyone out there who is "othered", I see you and I love you.
I survived breast cancer and sepsis when aged 40 years old.
I carry all of my scars and my tattoos a mark of pride as they tell the stories of the battles I have fought and won. I am unapologetic at 56 years old for the changes each year has made to my body and I celebrate my body that the goddess gave me.
The past 16 years has been about living life to the fullest. Women need to fix each other’s crown, and remind each other of our strength, power and beauty. Freedom in our bodies and our expressions of self-worth and self-love
As a child, I was always “too much”, too loud, too headstrong, too easily led.
By my early 20s, that “too much” transformed into feeling like I wasn’t enough. It led me to marry a man I should never have married because I didn’t believe anyone else would want me. That marriage kept me small. It was abusive in every way, and I became terrified of who I really was, convinced that showing my true self would only bring me harm.
I craved validation from others, unable to take pride in myself because I didn’t know what self-pride looked like. Years of battling food addiction, drug addiction, and alcohol abuse ravaged my body and shattered my confidence. But in May 2002, I got sober. As I put down the alcohol, food became my new drug of choice. Unlike other substances, food was freely available, socially acceptable, and initially comforting, until it, too, turned on me.
My relationship with food has always been a tumultuous one. I used it to punish myself, never to nourish myself. My body bears the scars of this battle: massive weight fluctuations, infertility, and ultimately, a hysterectomy in my 40s. But now I rise.
I’ve been in therapy for many years, but 2024 marked a turning point when I began working with a new somatic therapist. She helps me connect with my body, guiding me to feel where emotions are held and release them through movement. When I first started seeing her, all I wanted was to lose weight. She gently told me, “When your body feels safe, the weight will go.” And she was right. So far, I’ve let go of three stone, and more is leaving. But the transformation isn’t about punishment or control. It’s about nourishment, of my mind, my body, and my soul. As my body feels safe, the layers of protection I’ve carried are falling away. No drastic diets, no surgeries, no medical interventions, just me, holding myself through my trauma and embracing my wildness.
Today, I am unapologetic about what my body looks like. I love myself. I honor what my body has been through, and I celebrate her story. I am curvaceous, with beautiful breasts and hips. I am all woman. And as I rise, I do so unapologetically, fully owning who I am.
I am me. I am unique. You are unique. We are all unique!
That is so special, we should celebrate that!
I'm always honest with myself and with others. I don't hide the truth, though I might try to wrap something hard to hear in a bit of gentleness, if I think you deserve that effort. I know everyone won't be happy with that. I'm happy with that. If you don't like what you see, move on. Your loss, not mine.
All my life, I apologized for EVERYTHING. I felt small and less than... I tried to shrink and serve others so they would not be disappointed in me. There were flares of goddess energy, but I squashed them, considering myself wildly inappropriate in those moments. And that's what I longed to, but did not allow myself to, be - WILD!!!
About ten years ago, in a moment of crisis, I realized I needed no one's permission or approval to be me. Not my parents', not my religion's, not my husband's, not society's. MY permission, MY approval, MY desire - those are what matters. Those are what allow me to align with the universe. I am learning, still, but rising like a phoenix from the ashes of my past, and walking into a glorious blossoming.
I feel so fucking POWERFUL.
No more apologies for what I want or who I am.
UNAPOLOGETIC is what I now am after two long-term controlling marriages where I always felt small, unheard, invisible and never fully supported or loved.
It was really hard, especially the times I was grieving for the passing of my parents and my eldest daughter.
I was constantly living in a toxic negative atmosphere. I was ridiculed at times when I started to follow my spiritual path and become a Reiki Practitioner and then trained and became a Holistic Therapist.
I am now ME again continuing to heal and help others. I am rising higher all the time and will be 100% UNAPOLOGETIC from now on!!
As all women should be as we are all stronger than we have been conditioned to feel and stronger as soul sisters supporting each other to be totally UNAPOLOGETIC!!
“Your dad didn't want girls,” my mum told me when I was about 6. So to be loved by my father, I tried very hard to not to be a girl.
Alongside life events, this simple statement had a profound effect on me throughout my life. Its damage worked its way across my sense of self, my view of women and most markedly on my attitude towards my body.
At the age of 60 during a period of personal healing, I said enough is enough. I decided I would no longer be defined by my attitude towards males. I decided I would start to please myself first and as a part of that process, start to love my body.
I would no longer apologise for my gender, sexuality or presence starting with my view of my body.
Body shaming is a prison we have built in our own minds it restricts how our bodies move through space, how they interact with others, how we connect with the world. In short it reduces our potential for living our best lives.
Taking part in UNAPOLOGETIC has been powerful in enabling me to see my own beauty and strength.
It’s not easy to be UNAPOLOGETIC, not for me or for other women. It’s not easy to rise when so much and so many try to keep us down it never will be unless the world order changes and it will.Every day is a battle, every day is a battle worth fighting, everyday it’s a battle I'm winning because every day I refuse to apologise for being me.
I’m sick of being made to feel I’m not enough.
I’ve had enough of being compared to others and judged by unfair standards or other people’s expectations and preconceptions.
I am me - and I will no longer apologise for that. Yes I’ve put on weight, I’m getting older, I have wrinkles, some grey hair, and body hair, and, and, and… so what? The last few years have been fucking hard at times and yes I’ve changed as I’ve healed and continue to heal - but for the better. I’m more accepting and understanding of my body and my mind. I am me, I am who I am.
I’ve found myself back on a path I started on many years ago, before I gave it up - because it wasn’t what my friends were doing. Those ‘friends’ have since fallen by the wayside and now I’m where I need to be. On MY path, not someone else’s idea of it.
A long time ago someone said they’d always thought I was weird, and I laughed and took it as a compliment. That was a breakthrough for me. Yeah that’s fine, I am weird and I like it.
And you know what?
I am me. I am enough. I will take up space. I will be proud of myself and my achievements, however small.
I am strong. I am powerful. I am Unapologetic.
My word is: Unapologetic. To add more words felt like an apology.
It’s hard to give unapologetic words about my body as it has changed so much and I’m still on the journey to get back to where I’m comfortable (although I’m not on a diet at the moment). I gained a lot of weight when I first became disabled, I have battled to lose a few stone, (1 more to go) but I’m trying to give my body a break and be kind to myself.
Although I am still healing it is getting easier, despite the fibromyalgia and trauma, of which I’ve had my fair share.
Mother is undiagnosed neurospicy, could hyper focus on stuff for hours and forget that I asked for a drink. She left when I was 5.Lots of failed relationships including a marriage. Emotional & physical abuse from partners. Lost grandparents (who were extra carers after my mom had left, lost my maternal grandmother 2 days before losing my baby). Miscarriage.
Lost (passed away) a lot of friends over the last year & my fabulous stepmom (I could always talk to her about anything).
Not had an actual relationship since 2015 and not dated at all for last 6 years. And of course my health issues, I always had aches and pains from teens but told it was growing pains etc. Awful periods. Fractured spine in 2000 which caused ongoing pain which gradually worsened.
Then in 2017 everything got so much worse; cervical spondylosis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, scoliosis from the compacted previously fractured vertebrae, multi-level degeneration of spine, carpal tunnel, arthritis in knees & hips and of course menopause. Hypertension.
PTSD from work stress & the stress of trying to make myself heard with doctors etc. Counsellor thinks I maybe on the spectrum (Asperger’s) which explains a lot. Ill health retired from work finally which brings us up to date.
Bought a van to make camping easier. Doing lots of free courses to pass my time and to broaden my knowledge. Self-improvement.
So yeah I’m still standing, I might not be yelling it from the rooftops but I’m still here and I’m still living my life.
I have been a larger lady all my life and hid behind baggy clothes so I don’t upset anyone with my body, always putting others first before myself!
As I get older I’m more confident to tell society to “Fuck right off!” and wear what I want hairy legs & all! So take up that space, wear what you want & do what you wanna do with no apologies!
I am proud of all the shit I have had to overcome. After having to continually reassess where I am at and just how big an effort it has taken for me to get to this point. I am forever changed. The years have left scars on my heart that I will carry for ever and I have been broken in ways I felt I would never be able to repair.
But there's a gentle pride that I am beginning to acknowledge deep in my soul. Proud that I kept going and that I did what needed to be done.
I know future me will be so proud of my efforts and for not giving up when everything went to shit. I will no longer apologise for who I am and what I need.
Fuck you if you can't handle me.
At this writing I am 63 years of age. I have singlehandedly raised 3 daughters originally a welfare mom, which now I am pleased to say they are all college graduates and beautiful intelligent women in their own rights. My life has been a journey.
I have recently had to change careers from tractor-trailer driver to a desk job, as my body has changed due to wear and tear.
My hip is to be replaced on Feb 12, 2025. It has carried me across the United States in many capacities yet now doesn't wish to continue. I have had a wonderful life and still have more to explore. I love life and laughter and like to celebrate everything. So here's to a happy and productive 2025.
We all find ways to hide. I've been struggling to come up with the right words for my unapologetic story, which has been frustrating because usually I can whip well written words down faster than the average bear. It is my preferred method of communication because I know it's something I excel at and I can perfect it through and through. I am seeing now that this writers block is necessary. I use words to hide. I know if they speak what I intend then I don't have to be in the spotlight.
I can paint a prettier picture with the pen then I am used to feeling that I can with my body, mind, and heart. So I believe this is my souls way of moving myself out of obstruction and pushing me into taking up the space in which I am worthy to dwell. So simply put, here are the ways in which I have learned and am continuing to learn to be absolutely unapologetic...
I will no longer apologize for: Taking up space Living Existing. My happiness. My spirituality. My beliefs. My love. My sexuality. My opinions. My feelings. My body. My boldness. My truth. My art. My passion. My breath. My healing. My path. My activism. My foresight. My intuition. My care. My sensitivity. My neurospicy-self. My mental illness. My disability. My heart. My boundaries. My honesty. My ability to learn. My growth.
These are all part of who I am and my purpose. It took me the majority of my 40 years on this earth to accept these things within my own self and I will be damned if I let anyone take it from me now.
I've worked too hard to stay; I won't stay in silence.
Before 40, age was just a number. But 40 felt like a halfway point, a marker of time moving too fast. Suddenly, I realized I wasn’t living the way I wanted to—in my life, home, relationship or body.
Most profoundly, I realized that I’d lost myself as a wife and mother. I felt trapped, married to a man I didn’t love or respect, who didn’t respect me either. Over time, I’d shrunk under the weight of his anger, toxicity and control, desperate to keep the peace and maintain the illusion of harmony. But staying silent, erasing myself, wasn’t peace—it was self-betrayal.
When we separated, I slowly unearthed the vibrant, outspoken, creative, and joyful person I’d been at 18.
Although my next relationship was toxic, too, at least I began to love my body. For the first time, I experienced fun, exciting sex. I started to see myself as sexy (at least sometimes) and appreciate my shape for what it was—beautiful and real. I travelled, tried new things, and stepped outside my comfort zone. One of the most transformative moments was in a beginner burlesque class. Our instructor introduced herself as a SHAMELESS WOMAN. The concept was unheard of. I was floored. Inspired. Changed. I’d been raised in the Catholic Church, covered in guilt and shame, programmed to be obedient, modest; a “good girl.” Now I say: FUCK THAT.
Over the past decade, I’ve embraced my identity as a shameless woman and silenced the inner voice that asks, “What will people think if I’m too loud, too bold, or too different?” I’ve realized I deserve to be all those things. I’ve made it my mission to TAKE UP SPACE and GROW OLD GRACEFULLY—on my own terms. I’ve become attuned to patriarchy’s lies and the ways it makes us small. I dropped my ex-husband’s name but rather than go back to my father’s, I chose my own surname. I try hard to be authentic and steer away from doing things because that’s what everyone does.
The first painting of Kat's I saw struck me deeply because it looked like me—not just in appearance, but spirit. It was beautiful, and slowly, through her art, I came to see myself the same way. Today, I’m the most out of shape I’ve been—yet I love my body more, and feel freer, than ever. After worrying about turning 40, 50 felt great. I’d spent ten years building myself up. And there’s no better feeling than being a wise older woman, knowing what really matters.
Taking my picture for this project felt amazing! I knew Kat was safe and encouraging and already thought I was beautiful simply because I’m me, alive and natural. Thank you, Kat, for telling us we are valuable and special.
I, like many women I know, have spent most of my life as a 'people pleaser'.
I've put other people first, found it impossible to say no, gone out of my way financially, energetically to support other people or be extra thoughtful. I've apologised profusely if I've not been able to do things others wanted me too, felt guilty, been guilted into doing SO many things that didn't serve me. Because I was scared to say no, to stand in my power because nobody taught me how to.
Women often fall into this role as society has modelled us into caregivers, a complement we pay a woman is 'she's so selfless, always putting other people first'. But this means we deplete ourselves, we lose ourselves, we become enmeshed in other people's needs and lose sight of our own. We burn out, break down, we keep ourselves small, scurrying around after everyone else and losing sight of our own dreams, our passions. This way of being strips us from living our best lives, stops us living for OURSELVES... I've worked hard the last few years to change this- to stop apologising for meeting my needs, to stop denying my needs. To recognise that when I serve myself first, I can serve others SO much more authentically, beautifully and powerfully.
I will not apologise anymore for not putting other people's needs above my own. I will not apologise for saying no if something isn't right for me.
I will not apologise for rediscovering myself. I will not apologise to those who have stepped away because this new me doesn't meet their needs anymore - their emotions are not my responsibility.
I will not fit into the patriarchal standard of selfless female caregiver, I will blaze the path for my fellow sisters, showing them we never need to apologise for meeting our needs first, for chasing our dreams, for being the kooky, crazy, wonderful creatures we are.
This is the real freedom, stop, listen and hear what you most deeply desire. Then go and fucking get it- with zero apologies!!!!
I used to be so afraid and ashamed of how much sensation I felt in my body. I believed the lies about being too much or not enough, keeping me detached from my true power and self.
Being a highly sensitive person was no joke. I could feel others’ repressed emotions, and the change in the weather hours, sometimes days beforehand. I could feel the repression of my own emotions and how holding them back caused illness.
Sensations can be undesirable when you’ve lived in a traumatised body. Even pleasure can feel scary. It takes time to embrace one's feelings. To awaken each pore and let life pour in. In slowness comes clarity. In clarity, sensuality and presence become palpable. In finding presence, you can bask in your truest essence, dropping conformity to outside standards and timescales.
With each step towards presence, I expanded my capacity to hold more sensation, and life began to feel like a buffet of goodness rather than a bombardment of pain.
I got to feel more and take up space. My boundaries became clearer and more solid.
I learnt that if I didn’t take up space in my body then something else would.
This is the heaviest and curviest my body has been, but I have so much love and approval for it. In perimenopause, I was still carrying the narrative that for my changing form to be acceptable, it must be different. Now, I see its true perfection. I’m an ever-changing, multi-faceted embodiment of the feminine.
I now have a deepening intimacy with self and see each and every part of my vessel as whole. A living intelligent divine design. A primordial remembrance of why I came here.
I claim my body as Sacred Space. I no longer sacrifice aspects of myself to fit in. I embrace my magical ways. My sensuality. My sexuality.
I no longer see my vast energetic system or my sensitive nature as a burden. They’re a valuable asset: a gift; a feminine resource. In every herd of deer, there is a sensitive front runner who alerts the pack of impending danger. I now own this as part of my role: to be the front runner, the pattern disrupter, the seer.
I guess deep down I have always been a rebel.
So, to all the highly sensitive beings out there, know it is a gift to feel life so richly, to feel so deeply. It's a case of reframing how to feel it all and learning to fine tune it.
Growing up in a patriarchal society in the Caribbean, I was constantly told I was “too much”—too loud, too aggressive, too sensitive. Women were, and still are, objectified, making me feel I had to hide parts of myself just to be safe.
At 11, I was catcalled. By 14, my newly developing body was ogled and scrutinized. My appearance became a public spectacle, with comments and judgments as though my body was for others to assess. All the while, I was made to feel responsible for their behaviour—told to cover up, stay quiet, and suppress my anger at this blatant disrespect. In response, I learned to hide — not just my body, but my whole self. I kept myself invisible, choosing to settle instead of striving, convincing myself to be content with less than what I was capable of achieving. Now, I am beginning—tentatively, cautiously—to step into the light and let myself be seen. It feels terrifying, uncomfortable, like I owe constant explanations for my actions and choices. But what if I didn’t? What if I could live unapologetically as me? What if I could let the weight fall away, stop wearing the mask that makes me “acceptable,” and redirect all that energy into becoming my best self? It would feel liberating. Powerful. Like reclaiming everything I was told to suppress.
This exhibition is my declaration: I don’t give a fuck about fitting in anymore. This is me—loud, bold, sensitive, and unapologetic.
I am Me, and I’ve learned to embrace every scar that adorns my skin.
Each mark tells a story of resilience and strength, a testament to the battles I’ve fought and the person I’ve become.
I refuse to hide behind the veil of societal beauty standards; instead, I wear my scars proudly.
Being unapologetic about my journey has transformed my perception of beauty. I now see my imperfections as unique features that add depth to my identity.
I want others to understand that their scars, whether visible or hidden, are part of their narrative and should be celebrated. Living authentically means embracing every part of myself, and I hope my story inspires others to do the same. We are not defined by our scars but by how we choose to wear them. I stand proud, unashamed, and unapologetic, ready to show the world the beauty of my journey.
Disability will no longer leave me hiding, shamed by the cultural standards and expectations. I am fierce. I am here.
And damn it, it is time I take up SPACE.
My space. Her space. Our space!!! Every dimple and slump, every fluff and my odd shaped rump. I will longer allow to be mistreated or ignored, for she carries me. Has walked with me through every challenge and set back, everyday and year rising anew; regardless of the negativity she has absorbed.
No more. No fucking more I say!!! Be gone darkness, as this bad bitch is back – now more colorful and bright as ever; without your feelings in regard.
I jiggle, I sag, I'm wide and I'm sad
I've stretch marks and spots, I eat lots and lots.
Though I will not apologise for being me.
I'm a mother, I'm a carer. I'm a survivor, I'm kind.
When I look in the mirror I don't see all bad.
I see strength and love, Laughter and my big heart.
I'm a protector, a supporter, A lover and giver.
I will never apologise for who I am. I will stand proud and loud, And present myself with pride.
It is my time to stop apologising. I have always apologised for being Me,
For the space I took up - I always tried to make myself small, "don’t worry, it’s only me." I don’t matter, Sorry!
I tried to put others' wants first, to dismiss my own, no one ever noticed. I went without, to try to make others happy, for them to want me, to love me, no one ever noticed.
What do I want - the question stopped being asked of me because I never had an answer. I had only myself to blame. You teach people how to treat you.
Then one day you find yourself asking the question. What about me? What do I need? What do I want? Where do I fit?
I had tried to fit in, to please, but I always had to try. Fear led me. Fear of being rejected. Fear of not being good enough.
Looking wrong, saying the wrong thing, acting the wrong way. The time came to change. The time came to find me.
To take up space, to find out who I am. To not fit another's reality. To create my own. To accept who I am. To feel the fear
To be unapologetic!
I will not apologise for being me, I may not be perfect, but I am fucking amazing.
I was a quiet, polite, shy child and teenager. Social anxiety has plagued me, general anxiety has scrambled my nervous system, and depression and OCD have suffocated me. Tumultuous mental health runs deep through my family. We've all struggled and battled. But what else runs in my family? Love. Support. Strength. Resilience. Unapologetic women. Strong, untamed women who pushed boundaries and defied social expectations. And lots of magick. Astral projection. Scrying. Pendulum work. Divination of all sorts. Past life regression. Reiki. Spells. Empaths and psychics. Mediumship.
I claim witch.
In school I was bullied for it. A rat skeleton was put in my school bag and water was flicked at me to "see if you melt". I never fitted in with my peers throughout school. I was the quiet, odd one. I was smart and creative, quick-witted, empathetic, kind, and accepting, but still felt like an alien. I just didn't understand or enjoy what the non-aliens did: parties, sports, city outings, loud concerts, makeup, pubs. They were as weird to me as I was to them. I felt more alive in the bush, listening to the trees, drinking in the wind and watching the animals, or belly dancing, or painting, sketching and crafting. I always knew exactly who I was, but I struggled to express it due to my anxiety. So, I minimized myself and my witch. Mental health and society are often thieves and muzzles. I was less polite and reserved in my early twenties. exploring the world and activism, unravelling trauma, healing myself, and finding my people and my voice.
Unapologetic is unshakable, supportive, true sisterhood. Growing together, sharing knowledge, wisdom, traumas and joys, empowering each other unconditionally. Thanks to my cherished Goddess Sisterhood, now I can say:
I am NOT quiet, polite and reserved as I move through my thirties! Well, only when I want to be. I am proud, loud and expressive. Untamed and unapologetic. I claim witch fully. I claim my mental health in all its phases. I am an unapologetic single mad witch cat lady.
Unapologetic is my nona grande who hid people during the war when the men in black came for them, and my nona, who told the doctor to take the whole boob instead of smaller portions to remove her cancer. Unapologetic is my mum who told my sister's 'father', when he refused to give us our possessions after she left him, that he could choke on them, because all she needed was us. Now I follow in their footsteps. Unapologetic is me.
I will live the rest of my life as an unapologetic woman and proud witch, living in tune with my own beliefs and ethics. Unapologetic is being messy, passionate and excited about life; barefoot, no bra, tattered skirts, knotted hair and dirt.
My unapologetic is refusing to abandon that spiritual and beautiful connection with the earth and living creatures just because others around me hate them.
My unapologetic is retaining a soft heart in a very hard world and not allowing others to change that or diminish its power.
My unapologetic is knowing that strength is more than muscles and it is not shameful or weak to be a calm, tender human whilst also being a gutsy unapologetic woman.
Bigger than I’ve ever been Physically, Mentally, Independently
I’m claiming MY space…MY place
Hear me scream
Invisible, Menopausal, no longer the girl.
I feel for her
Fuck this shit my wild woman cries!
I’ve opened my eyes I will be seen, all of me
Love, laughter, grief, tense…serene no longer just the surface - see me beneath the exterior I’m not fucking inferior I am HER unapologetically I take this space for HER.
My husband wants me to take care of him. Who doesn’t want that, right? He sits at the table and waits for me to make and serve his meals. I raised our kids essentially by myself, while he was on the side-lines.
I recently realized that some of what he does is sexual assault. There is definitely sexual emotional abuse. I get told almost daily that I am not a woman or am not doing my "duty" when I don't want to have sex. I am a prude. And on and on. I hate my body, but I abuse it with food, stress and cutting. I have been working through this with an amazing therapist. I don't want to live like this any longer. I don't want my kids to think that this is how a marriage should work.
I am early in my journey to being unapologetic, but I am taking steps every day to love myself and to create a new life for myself and my kids.
What has made me feel too much or not enough? Lately? Perimenopause. I am too emotional, forgetful, chubby, brain-fogged; my hair is too straight and thin, my thighs are cellulite-y and my left hip aches. Fear of losing my everlovin’ mind due to wildly swinging emotions and hormones means I use every tool to stay grounded: medication, prayer, meditation, self-care, ritual, group therapy.
What has made me feel small or repressed? Sorry, sorry: the refrain of a lifetime. Sorry for living, laughing too loud, crying too hard; for not being cool enough, hot enough, strong enough. I know now that when I say sorry, I usually mean, “Thank you!” Thank you for getting my inappropriate humor, letting me ugly cry, being so damn cool. Flipping the script has been a game changer.
What has kept me from taking up space? I used to be afraid of so many things and dealt with it with drinking and drugs. After 18 years clean and sober I’ve learned to be comfortable in my skin… until now, when I’ve gained 20 pounds and my hormones are whacked. But I fucking refuse to hate myself for my big, beautiful body.
How it feels to rise? Fun! Living in the moment, clean and sober in the arms of my creator, feels peaceful, joyful, grateful, happy. Every January first, we build a sweat lodge by the river, and I scrub myself with sand while the steam rises. That’s how it feels to rise. Naked in nature and painting myself in mud. HA!
How it feels to take up space? Uncomfortable at first, and literally, in perimenopause: I cramp more and my boobs and hips hurt. As a child I took up space by being one with nature. As a young adult I took up space by dancing! As a middle-aged woman I take up space by being a nurse.
Today I started painting again after 30 years. It feels good! Like grounded, grateful, glorious, dance naked in the rain, living in the moment, working hard and playing gently.
In this life phase. I’m living in the moment. With abandon., thoughtfulness, difficult rewarding work and cup-filling days of play. I am an alcoholic, an addict, a hospice nurse, a child of the Universe, and We are One.
What does unapologetic mean to me? I am a work in progress and a bridge. I bridge the gap between liberal me and my conservative husband in my marriage of 25 years. I have learned to be unapologetic of both my political stance and my choice to love and respect a man who has stood by me to hell and back, but whose opinions are different than my own. Through this, I’ve learned that ‘unapologetic’, for me, is linked to compassion and communication. Through making amends for my transgressions and judgements, I become a person of integrity who has walked a mile in the shoes of many other imperfect humans. We all will (and do) stand naked before our creator.
Hospice work has become one of life’s passions. To help my people bridge this world and the next, whatever that may be, is a huge honor that I do not take lightly. It is spiritual work, and I will unapologetically rise to the task of being there, being present and supporting my patients in their journey. Hospice nursing can make people uncomfortable, but it is the most powerfully beautiful, amazing and rewarding work I’ve ever done, and for this opportunity… I am unapologetic.
I have much to apologize for because I was/am an addict and an alcoholic. Even though I’ve been clean and sober for years, I am still making amends, particularly to my kids. But I do not bow before anyone anymore. I know my strengths and weaknesses. I take care of my body, mind and spirit in ways that fill my cup and feed my soul. I am one of god’s kids, doing the work set before me, and what a glorious ride it is.
I used to believe I needed permission to exist fully. To laugh too loudly, to feel deeply, to take up space.
I folded myself into the corners of rooms, into the shadows of conversations, and apologized—always apologizing—for being me.
For my emotions. For my desires. For my body. But no more. I’ve learned that my body is magical, a vessel of creation and transformation. It holds stories of resilience, of survival, of love.
My heart, once heavy with the weight of expectations, now beats with the rhythm of freedom. The woman I am today honors and respects every version of me—the girl who felt small, the woman who doubted, the soul who fought to bloom. To be unapologetic is to stop asking for permission to be whole. To stand tall and root myself deeply in the truth of who I am. It means no longer explaining my existence or justifying my choices.
Unapologetic is the fire in my soul, the light in my eyes, the strength in my voice. It’s the refusal to dim myself for anyone or anything. It’s the love letter I write to myself every day:
You are enough. You are powerful. You are worthy.
To women as a whole, being unapologetic is a revolution. It’s reclaiming what was stolen from us—the right to feel, to love, to lead, to exist without shame. It’s standing arm in arm with the divine feminine and saying, we will not shrink for anyone. I see you, I thank you, I honor you. Together, we rise, blooming without apology.
I've always had a complex relationship with my body, and know I am a warrior. Each scar, stretch mark and roll serves as a memory of a lifetime of challenges and triumphs, including my body being the home for my two beautiful children (who are now 16 and 15).
I am now 47 and have overcome a 10-year eating disorder history in my youth, painful injuries as a competitive swimmer, significant hurts and betrayals in relationships, managing multiple chronic health conditions, and working for 25+ years as a clinical psychologist.
I have learned how to love my body and honour its strength and power. I am now forging a new balance towards fitness and self-love—which can be a delicate equilibrium to achieve of learning how to overcome decades of negative conditioning regarding my body image whilst embracing my space, dignity and purpose...to live unapologetically.
I'm learning to love myself and all parts of me after miscarriage, birth trauma and late diagnosis of ADHD.
I've always been quick to apologise, blaming myself for the discomfort of others.
I'm not responsible for YOUR discomfort.
I hate that our bodies are either shameful or exploited.
We need to see more unapologetic women showing not only what real bodies look like but also what we are capable of, mind, body and spirit.
Learning to love our flaws and our failures as well as our achievements and successes without apology.
I have felt sorry for the way my body looks, my style, my interests, my beliefs, the way my brain works and the way I view this world.
Why? Because of other people’s projections and expectations placed on me. For a long time, I thought I was the problem, the weirdo, the one who just does not fit into the mainstream. At times feeling totally rejected out of society, excluded and being looked down on. This also confused me greatly as I am a very giving, caring and honest person who has high moral expectations of myself
It was a sobering but freeing realisation when I came to learn, I am not a problem, I am not a burden, I deserve to take up space and I deserve to have the freedom to be myself. The way others see and judge me for my weight, beliefs, dress sense, interests and just existing is a reflection on them, their prejudices and in some cases sheer hypocrisy. Fuck being normal, I am unapologetically me!
I caught myself apologizing to someone who manipulated me and used my adoration. I realized it's a pattern in my life apologizing for things that are not my fault. Some things are, and I have no problem apologizing to everyone for my mistakes, and even theirs.
I'm coming to realize the only one I really owe an apology is ME.
For giving my power away. For neglecting me.
I am Unapologetic that this body shows the wear and tear of years of stress and strife.
I was pre-med at age 17. I was in an accident that killed my little sister and gave me brain damage. I lost myself.
I grew up in a small town. Prejudices of every kind ran rampant along with other small town horrors. I was repressed.
My mom shunned me and I was told to drop out of nursing school by the instructors when they found out about my sexuality. I was assaulted because I was a woman, hated because I was fat, beaten because I wasn't a good enough girlfriend. I was oppressed.
I have 2 special needs children. I am disabled. It takes all my time and effort and energy to take care of us. I am tired.
I am ready to be me. I want to rise from this mire, and say HEY, THIS IS ME. and be totally Unapologetic.
Life changed dramatically when my mom developed early-onset Alzheimer’s at 62. Knowing it could be genetic, I faced the possibility that I, too, might have limited time. That profoundly shifted my perspective. I saw how precious and finite life is and realized I hadn’t been living it fully. I was saying “yes” to the wrong things and “no” to things that truly mattered. I felt small, repressed, and constrained by a bad marriage, toxic friendships, and a job that wasn’t serving me.
Then, I turned my life upside down. I left that terrible marriage and the job that felt like a trap, and fell in love with someone who was everything I didn’t know I needed. I ended the friendships that drained me and sought out people who brought joy into my life. I started saying “yes” to new experiences and adventures. I pierced my nose, danced on a bar, cosplayed at NY ComicCon, and went skinny-dipping.
I created a “Last 40 Days of My 40s” list of 40 things to do before I turned 50, determined to embrace every moment.
It included a belly dance class, which led to taking a burlesque class at the same studio on a whim. At first, I was completely out of my depth—but the first time I performed, I felt a spark I hadn’t known existed. I had never felt so alive, powerful, or unapologetically myself. It was pure magic. I’d found something transformative and my husband said he had never seen me light up like that before.
Burlesque gave me permission to take up space. It taught me to embrace my body, spirit and desires without apology. I was 50, plus-size and clumsy, but none of that mattered; burlesque made me feel bold, fearless, and free. I realized I’d been holding myself back, apologizing for existing in spaces where I belonged just as much as anyone else.
To rise, take up space, and stop apologizing for who I am is nothing short of revolutionary.
It is to reject the inequality that tells women to be quiet, small, or invisible. It is to celebrate our unique selves without shame or hesitation.
To me, being unapologetic means stepping fully into my power and embracing all the messy, beautiful, bold parts of myself. For women, being unapologetic is an act of defiance against a world that often tries to diminish us.
It’s a celebration of our strength, stories, and unapologetic existence. It’s about saying, “Here I am, and I refuse to be anything less than myself.” It’s about freedom, joy, and the audacity to live without restraint.
From the age of 5 I was made to feel like I wasn't enough; unloved and unwanted, by one of two people who are meant to love you unconditionally. It didn't matter that my mother had always loved me with her whole heart and always did what she thought was best for me - I wasn't enough for my father.
I carried this core belief with me as I grew up and went through school, shrinking myself to fit other people's expectations.
Hiding pieces of myself for fear I might be considered 'weird', 'old fashioned', or 'attention seeking'. Pushing myself beyond my limits to reach the goals others had set for me. If I didn't meet them, then I 'wasn't doing my best'. This belief continued to grow as I reached adulthood; it was proved over and over again that 'I wasn't enough' or I was 'too much' in any relationship.
But then my body said 'I can't cope with this pressure you keep putting me under' and I was forced to review my life and my outlook. I re-uated what and who was no longer for my highest good, and started putting boundaries in place; I started taking care of my needs first, and in turn started to love myself again. Then I learnt that I have ADHD, and suddenly I realised why I felt every rejection so much more and why I carried that with me for so long.
I am not too much, my muchness is who I am! I am enough, and I shouldn't have to shrink myself to fit anyone's expectations! If people don't like it, I'm not going to apologise anymore. I'm obsessed with a song by Iluka called Wings, which I had playing whilst writing this and the chorus really speaks to my soul:
"The crowd threw me out for the kill, Told me how to dress and how to feel,
They held me down but I learned how to heal,
Look at me now, look at what I built.
No Freedom without the will, Won't die for much, but I'll die on this hill,
Some choose the cage coz they love the gild, My wings grew back, and theirs never will."
What does Unapologetic mean to me?
To be unapologetic to me means being comfortable in my own skin, being comfortable with my boundaries, loving myself. Accepting myself. Accepting life. As I was taking the photos, my blood began running down my leg. I continued with the filming and chose to include the photos from that point. Unapologetic that I bleed each month, that I am a woman, that my womb gave birth four times. I let my blood flow. I thought my period had stopped for this month but as I danced, more came.
What does Unapologetic mean to women as a whole?
We as a society are always apologetic. To be unapologetic as women is to enjoy the space we take up without apology.
To accept ourselves. To trust our bodies, trust our intuition. Love our womb, our monthly bleed and the gift of cycles we belong to with this planet. Love ourselves and each other!
We were once a goddess feminine worshiping culture, women create and give life, let’s bring back the worship fully unapologetically!!!
In December this year, I removed my clothes and jumped naked into the White Spring in Glastonbury. This was a transformative moment for me, that began with my applying to take a part in Apologetic.
After 30 years of working with women and girls affected by sexual violence, and having myself walked the long path towards wholeness, at 51 years old I feel like I am finally embracing and connecting with my own body and sacred female power. How ironic! I teach others on the subject of female power and activism, I support and encourage other women in it, but have been imprisoned much of my life by shame, body dissociation, and dark days due to body image. I inherited extreme body consciousness from my mum. A result of this being detachment from my own female sensuality and embracing beauty. I have watched my mum's fixation on weight and "thinness" dictate her whole life. I lived under this and have seen this begin to emerge in my beautiful daughter.
Enough. ENOUGH.
I choose now to be a living embodied advocate of female empowerment. I choose to not let how I feel about my body affect my sensuality, mood or family. I rise in order to liberate myself, and see my daughter and all the daughters rise.
Take up space. Be brave. Enjoy the beauty and story of my own lived-in body. Teach my daughter and all the daughters to celebrate and be UNAPOLOGETIC.
What does UNAPOLOGETIC mean to me? Well, a huge amount actually.
As an only child, my mother expected a girlie girl, neatly turned out, dressed in frills, tidy hair, who wanted to do girlie things, like cooking and sewing and shopping and all that stuff.
Unfortunately for her, she got ME. I am, and always have been fairly feral, maybe it started as some sort of rebellion, or maybe it was just me all along. All I wanted to do was be outdoors, running wild, making potions, making dens, paddling in streams, gathering natural clay and being creative.
It took 40 years for me to allow myself to unapologetically be me, no longer caring about the weight of other people's opinions.
It has affected my mental health, my relationships, my work. So now, at the age of 50, I fully embrace it.
I am 62 years old and a widow. My husband died March 2023. We had been together for 37 years, married for 35. We had five beautiful children together. Being a widow is hard – actually, it's shite and the toughest most unforgiving thing anyone will ever need to do in their life. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. You lose yourself and wonder if you ever were the person you always believed yourself to be.
Over time - 21 months when writing this - I have found myself, I have realised that I am the person I thought I was. As tough and awful and devastating losing the one person you thought you were going to be with forever - there is no forever - I am still me. Still sassy, gobby, tough, smart, opinionated me. I am still here, I think I always was and that is why I find myself where I am now.
Surrounded by wonderful people - tougher than ever before.
I completed a Firewalking Training course this year - hence the choice of colours. I can now facilitate firewalking for others. It's powerful and empowering. I have a butterfly tattoo on my leg to represent transition. I am in transition. Probably always will be.
It was really hard to look at the photos needed to do this. I left it to the last minute to send them, but I did it, and I am so glad.
I love my life.
My parents raised me to believe I could be anyone or anything I wanted to be. Gender was never addressed as a problem. Mum was a very strong, determined woman and my dad was raised by a strong mother who supported her children and bought her own house in 1930’s London.
I worked in a London bank from 16 and was promoted quite quickly. seeing fighting for jobs and proving myself above men as my right. But at 27, an accident at work made me disabled. I lost the job I loved, put on loads of weight and became a second-class citizen in the world’s eyes. When I had babies, I chose to stay at home. I was a brilliant mum, BUT I lost so much confidence and developed anxiety. My husband has always seen me as strong and independent, and my kids know they had opportunities they wouldn’t have had if I’d worked, but being a mum wasn’t considered anything special 32 years ago.
When my youngest was 7, my hubby and I started a childminding business. The only people who questioned my disability and my husband’s gender were other childminding women. In 2017, I had an emergency operation and lost my memory and vocabulary almost completely, although I still knew my family.
After the 2020 lockdowns, we decided to close our business and move away. After moving, I met The Amazing Kat Shaw. Thanks to Kat and friends I’ve made through her, I’ve regained all my confidence in my mind and body, so I can tell people that my words may be simple, but I can put my point across; my body may not be perfect, but it’s perfect to me for having done all it’s done and supporting everything I want to do now. I can say I LOVE YOU when I look in the mirror without shame for how I look.
I get angry when women are judged for how little or much of their bodies they show, and I can’t understand why men AND WOMEN are campaigning against My Body My Choice. It’s not about the right and wrong of a woman’s decision, it’s about the choice. I challenge anyone who thinks pole dancing is only sexual. It’s a sport of strength, like gymnastics or dancing. I speak my truth, but believe that “if it isn’t nice, don’t think it, let alone say it.”
I wear what I want, do what I want, and now believe what other people think of me is none of my business. Actually, I knew this in my 20s. but the world just decided to test me. This is me, UNAPOLOGETIC.
As a child, my body didn't feel 'mine'. I was sexually abused by a family member, but my mother minimised it as 'experimenting'. I felt dirty and ashamed, and confused as to why she wasn’t bothered. Yet when I became sexually active, it was treated as the most disgusting thing in the world. Ironic, given that my sexual abuse was effectively shrugged off.
Throughout my 20s I struggled with alcohol and an eating disorder. Even though the starvation, binging and purging were harming my body, it was finally a way to be in control of my body. It was partly a "fuck you" to the people who had violated me and let me down, but also partly fear and shame about being in my body.
Now in my 40s, I've mostly healed my relationship with food. I started weightlifting in my mid-thirties and it gave me a huge appreciation for my body, what it can do, and the need to fuel it with nutritious food. At times I still struggle with being 'noticed' and hide my body under baggy clothes - a remnant from my childhood. I also fear expressing my opinions: "getting it wrong", upsetting others, receiving disapproval. I've grown fed up of shrinking myself to appease others; of rejecting my femininity and sensuality because I was taught it was shameful. I came across Kat Shaw's art via a friend on Facebook. I instantly knew I needed to work with Kat to break free from the physical and mental restrictions I've placed on myself. I needed to meet other women who felt the same. A day later, she posted about the Unapologetic project, and I knew I had to sign up.
To me, 'Unapologetic' is about being who I am and not restricting what I say or do due to fear of what other people think.
I'm bound to make mistakes. However, I won't learn and grow unless I 'live' and allow myself to be who I am. Not everyone will like me, but that shouldn't mean I censor myself. For women, I feel that 'Unapologetic' is sticking two fingers up to society's expectations about what women "should" be. We need to keep saying "no" and laughing in the face of the ridiculous standards we're expected to achieve.
I am still in my UNAPOLOGETIC story, so I don't know how it will end.
I have often had to apologise in my life, for things I have said or done, that have upset people. And sometimes I haven't apologised but just moved on and left those things or people behind. I never want to upset people. I feel sad and ashamed when I realise that I have hurt people.
I want to be heard. I want to express myself. I want to ask to have my needs met.
I don't think I'm a bad person but sometimes I feel like I am. I am afraid of connecting with people. I feel like I am not good enough. I think that people will all find out that I am not good enough and then reject me. I judge myself and others. I am afraid. I feel lost. I feel lazy and can't be bothered to do anything. I just want to hide away. I would probably hide from me.
A lot of the time, it feels like life is a game, where everyone knows the rules but me. I know this isn't true but it feels real sometimes. It's all so confusing. Trying to remember who I am, before everything and everyone started shaping me and having an opinion.
Life is scary. Listening to yourself is hard. There are many distractions. It's easy to get lost.
I would love to be comfortable with me. To know who I am. To accept that many may not like me and still feel that I am good enough.
I know I have gifts to share but they seem to be lost behind my procrastination and insecurity.
I want to be unafraid. I want to choose me. I want to be UNAPOLOGETIC. This is me choosing that.
I was born with a natural confidence and I believe my purpose in life is to inspire and empower others to be themselves.
However, for a long time I forgot myself. The shaming began at an early age as I was often called an attention seeker, a show-off, and a friend calling me OTT (over the top) stayed with me for a long time.
I couldn't understand it because on the inside I was just having fun, I certainly wasn't trying to offend or upset anybody, and the labels and name-calling just didn't sit right. They didn't match my internal feelings as I wasn't trying to show off or seek attention - I was just being me.
Throughout my 20s, and to a degree my early 30s, my confidence felt buoyed by external validation, usually desiring acceptance from the line of men I'd put on a pedestal. My confidence dwindled as I attracted those who went on to tell me I should calm down, tone myself down and not share who I really was - because it was weird.
I'd never cared too much what anyone thought about me or my life. I have always been daring, self-motivated and thrived on having new and exciting experiences. But the damaging thing was I'd allow people who brought me down, disrespected and insulted me to remain close and in my life. I saw the best in all people and felt they were misunderstood and didn't mean to hurt me. So I hadn't realised their presence was eroding my self-worth, having a detrimental impact on my energy and misaligning me from my potential.
I suppose the true clarity of my situation materialised at the start of this year. I'd stopped drinking at the end of 2022 and decided to stop smoking at the end of 2023. So I entered 2024 the most present I'd been since a child. I dumped my partner of 3 years and embarked on a deep spiritual journey. And throughout this year I'd say I've realigned with my true self, rediscovered my power and my self-esteem. I dedicated myself to achieving my dreams and I finally feel fully unapologetic about who I am, and I will never dull my shine for anyone again.
I spent the first 40+ years of my life trying to do 'the right thing' - always trying to fit in. I didn't succeed!
Finally, I stopped. Life is so amazing, and so short. I'll be 55 on January 1st.
Now, I travel, I pet sit, I have a tiny house in Belize, I've lived on the island of Maui in Hawaii for 14 years, I'm just doing my thing!
Being free & happy. And it never ceases to amaze me how many people are impressed by it!
Be flexible, be honest. Live your very best life - there's so much joy to be had in the world!
A childhood in which I wasn’t looked after or kept safe lead to teen tears of vulnerability, exploitation and homelessness and a young adulthood probably making choices that could have been better... a voice unheard, lonely and unseen.
To rise as the strong independent open hearted woman, I have become, honouring and loving the little girl within, accepting, honouring and forgiving has given me so much strength.
I am fooking incredible, I am loved and I am love!
I will shine bright; I will talk loud & I will wear what the hell I want.
I am unapologetically wonderful and so is my soft, wobbly curvy body!
As a child, I was always judged for my body. My earliest memory was my first boyfriend, at primary school, dumping me “because I was fat”. You can imagine how damaging that was for my self-image and relationship with my body.
My life has evolved around diets and detoxes, losing weight and gaining, yet never happy with the outcome. After a radical detox and diet, exercising and measuring my body daily, everybody said how good I looked. But I would stare in the mirror and break down because I wasn’t thin enough. I felt ugly, fat and worthless despite being in good shape. I began punishing myself, starving myself and self-harming because I was not good enough, no matter how hard I tried.
It got to a point where I was running on empty, exhausted by my relationship with myself. I wanted to do better, so I claimed back my power.
I started introducing words of affirmation. I braved looking at myself naked in the mirror and tried to appreciate the journey my body had been on.
I tried to focus on my experiences in the moment rather than getting hung up on my appearance. But what really made the difference was seeing other incredible women on social media, accepting themselves and their normal bodies.
It was so incredibly empowering, it inspired me to join them. It was liberating once I stopped fighting so hard to fit in and finally decided I was enough.
I am enough with fat, scars, stretch marks, body hair, spots. I’ve reclaimed my body.
With this newfound confidence and comfort in my body, I’ve done things I never dreamed of, including performing naked on stage to promote body positivity, dancing in a bikini for pride, and posing for professional photos naked. It’s made me feel incredibly strong, powerful and alive. Others will always have an opinion of me, but I’ve learnt that the only opinion that matters is mine. I want to continue to be loud and take up space in a world that tells women to shrink and be silenced.
That’s what being unapologetic means to me.
For much of my life, I carried shame about my body and who I was. In my teens and twenties, I desperately sought validation from men, believing their approval would make me feel worthy. I became consumed by the need to fit societal standards of “perfection.” I over-exercised, starved my body, and ignored my health in pursuit of an unattainable ideal. But the true damage was happening within. Time and again, I was told I was “too much” by friends, by partners, by the world around me.
Slowly, I internalised that message, convinced that I needed to suppress my personality to be more palatable. I started performing, shaping my life around other people. This led to toxic relationships. I endured physical, mental, and financial abuse, and each experience chipped away at the little self-worth I had left. At my lowest point, I had gained over six stone, was on antidepressants, and had no idea who I was anymore. Hitting rock bottom was devastating, but it was the turning point I didn’t know I needed. I left my ex and made a life-changing decision: I would find out who I truly was. The last three years have been the most transformative of my life; a beautiful journey of self-discovery, learning to embrace who I am - unapologetically. I now have a healthy relationship with food, and exercise is not a punishment but a joy. It relieves stress, strengthens my body, and makes me feel alive. These changes have been liberating, but the most important shift has been internal. I’ve stopped performing and living for other people. Instead, I embrace and love my true self. I am proud of the woman I’ve become - a woman who lives authentically, bravely, and wholeheartedly. I’ve come out as bisexual to my family and friends and embraced my ADHD, celebrating these parts of myself I once hid in shame.
Being part of “Unapologetic” is a testament to this growth. A few years ago, I could never have imagined being part of something so empowering. But today, I feel honoured and excited to stand alongside so many beautiful, inspiring women. This exhibition is not just a celebration of who I’ve become - it’s a declaration that I am enough, just as I am.
I've never felt comfortable within my body. Suffering with BDD and becoming a mother at the young age of 18, I never got to experience my body, the changes from teenager to a woman, feeling sensual, growing to what it is I desire sexually, honouring my body and loving it as it grows...
I never got to wear the little crop tops without the mum belly nor have the confidence to go for what I wanted because of the crushing feeling I wasn’t good enough.
My time is now… to take up as much space as I possibly can as I am... the young mother that never got the chance to grow up… the adult me at 43 that loves her mum bits and aging skin that has the right to be shown and glow... I am imperfectly perfect just the way I am.
I am enough.
I always felt part of me was ugly and shameful, I hid and I was good at hiding. I am a contradiction, massive amounts of self-esteem and confidence in some ways and very little in others.
What changed in me, what made me feel complete and at ease was love, true love from another, a soul-mate’s love. They helped me find my key, all buried and muddy, deep in the woods and they helped me free myself. I do suffer anxiety and have OCD but am amazing at relaxing. I’ve made my life simple and full of kindness and nature.
I am unapologetic in my life choices, my self-esteem, my worth.
Being too much or not enough is something women have had to put up with for long enough.
I feel as the years have grown in number as have our spirits and the fire within our bellies.
There is no one-size-fits-all woman.
There is no peace when living for others.
The time has come through trials, sacrifice, and the breaking hearts of women felt throughout the universe.
The mother cries with us. The shield maidens are rising and they are unapologetic. They are raw, they are fierce, they are soft in the ways of the powerful feminine.
They command respect without brutality. They care for their mothers, daughters, and sisters.
The rebellion is coming and the mother of all is leading us forward.
Unapologetic is freedom.
I never wanted to be a woman. They were deemed weak in a farming family.
I had no good role models as to how a woman could be. And yet as a child I loved to dress up and dance, performing in the pantry on my own. But I was always told I was too much. Too dramatic, too over-the-top, too sensitive, always wanting too much attention and taking everything too personally. Sensitivity and being feminine was not a thing. I became hard working and denied sensitivity. I was always busy, but I was never good enough.
I changed my name at 14 (not for gender reasons but to be different; it was the time of Boy George). I was about to start work in a kitchen and said my name was George. All the boys said, "Hi George," every day and I loved it. So whenever I could I said my name was George. I changed it officially at 24.
After teaching for 20 years, at 44 with the onset of menopause, my life stopped. I got CFS/ME. I was bedbound for a year and wheelchair-bound for 4 years. It's been 11 years since then. I've had all sorts of therapy, counselling and workshops, learning loads.
First, I learnt to love myself. That felt like I was having an affair because someone else, other than my husband, loved me. I learnt I'm a sensitive person (that blew my mind). I learnt boundaries (that still blows my mind). And I learnt to do things I love rather than things I feel I ought to do. I started dancing again and realised that I wanted to dance for ever. The dance I enjoy, Butoh, is particularly good with an older body. It's Japanese and often called the dance of darkness. I love the weird, dark and wonderful, and it’s artistic and sculptural rather than typical dance. So now I say, I’m a dancer, or a performance artist. I'm still working out how to describe it. But I'm never going to stop. I'm unapologetically a 55-year-old dancer with no dance training and no dance body.
I spent most of my early life apologising.
I thought I'd done something to displease
That if I could just be better, do better
My mum would look at me, my dad would look away from me
Everything would work out ok
I married and carried on apologising
For my dress, my body, my skin, my behaviour
But I was suffocating under the weight of displeasure
So I started to please myself
Started to enjoy my presence, my skin, my clothes, my voice
Now I stand before you
A woman grown strong with experience
A woman in her body
Unapologetic
I hate that many people I’ve worked with have assumed that because of my height and younger-looking face, I’m not 'capable' of being authoritative or I’m 'too young' for my job.
I HATE being called 'cute'. I find it patronising. Why can’t I be sexy instead? I’m a woman and I am allowed to feel sexy, but because I’ve always been called 'cute', I have found discovering my style and what I like about my body really hard. I never feel sexy or show my body off and I close my eyes during sex because I can’t bear to think what I must look like. I feel ashamed of sex, of masturbation, of my body. Even doing the photos, I felt I had to hide from a husband who genuinely has been the only person lifting me up, cheering me on.
As a teenager I was 'too much', described as an 'over-excited puppy dog'. I wanted to socialise, meet guys, have fun, laugh hard. Maybe I was 'too excitable', but during the period when you usually start to become interested in boys, natter, have friends, I’d only seen hospital walls and had medical staff as friends. I didn't know how to socialise ‘right’, so I did what I knew: I was positive, loud, happy, colourful...but too much.
THEN I ROSE, GREW MY WINGS. TURNED AND WALKED A DIFFERENT PATH. I FELT I HAD COME HOME! I JUMPED IN PUDDLES, THREW LEAVES IN THE AIR, SURROUNDED MYSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO LAUGH HARD, SEE COLOUR, ARE LOUD. I FOUND MY SEXY IN MY OWN WAY AND CHOSE TO IGNORE THE 'CUTE COMMENTS' AND THE 'KEEP IT DOWN, WIND YOUR NECK IN, DON'T MENTION THAT'.
I FOUND LIFE, I FOUND GERRY, WHO HELPED AND CELEBRATED EACH STEP I TOOK TO BECOMING ME. I EMBRACE MY LOVE FOR CRYSTALS, INCENSE, BIG DRESSES, FAIRIES, AND THE YELLOW WELLIES I WORE ON MY WEDDING DAY WALKING DOWN TO THE BEACH. I DANCED, CRIED, LAUGHED, LOVED, I WAS LOUD. I WAS ME.
I HONOUR MY BODY AND GIVE THANKS FOR THE SHIT IT’S HAD TO GO THROUGH. I LOVE BEING UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME!!!
An ambitious teenager, I worked hard in a male dominated industry to climb the ladder. After over a decade of experience, I was often overlooked for promotions and never paid on a level with my male colleagues.
Personally, the sudden loss of my mother in my early twenties unbalanced me, I looked for love in the wrong places and ended up losing all confidence in myself.
Just before I turned 30, I gained it. So much so I quit my job and moved to the other side of the world, only to have it knocked down by a throwaway comment.
"We don't like tall poppies here."
I was destroyed. I returned to the UK back into a supportive circle, I began to rise again.
After a forced departure from a job that was slowly killing me, I hung up the office high heels and found myself growing food and herbs. Learning how nature heals so many wounds. Eventually, I went into a very different role within my lifetime industry, a role I was sceptical of, but now totally own it. Overqualified, but finally happy.
I am unapologetic for being a woman. I AM CONFIDENT.
I am an old woman, a Crone. I turned 62 this year. I have walked a long road and I hope to go a way further.
I have been on my own since my teens and achieved so much I am proud of. I struggle with ageism. I didn't know how much I disrespected and ignored the elderly until I became one. Not in a mean way, but in an "I don’t want to look" way. Facing aging, illness, and death after a lifetime of striving and gaining experience, skill, and power is so alarming to me. And hard to love. Hard to love letting go. Hard to love the changes in my body, mind, and health.
I am learning to take on this stage of life, seeking its goodness and beauty, seeking its loves and lessons. I struggle to lean with grace into changes and endings and loss, to embrace the end of the lifecycle. I am learning to accept being ignored and disrespected by young people who are just like I was.
I have a wonderful opportunity to observe this time of life. I have a home, an income, and family love. I spend my days creating a sacred space to age and see what happens next. I am not yet done growing, my blossom isn't fresh but it is prized. I intend to care for it as long as it will thrive. I will go through this world in touch with my roots and blowing in the winds. Fresh air and sunshine will keep my garden growing in my weird way for a few more seasons yet.
I am unapologetic about how my garden grows.
Unapologetic means to me, I haven’t got to be sorry for being ME.
This has taken me a long time to be able to say and feel this. Through society making me “conform” to what they think I should be, how I should look, feel etc. It’s time for ME now to feel confident in myself, and to accept myself for who I am, and to be able to love myself. By taking part in the unapologetic collection I will feel like I’ve been reborn, feel liberated.
I am a survivor of breast cancer 5 years in April 2024, which is a mile stone. The treatment left me with full pelt menopause. My poor body has been through so much, my appearance has changed, in the last few years.
But I am embracing my “new body”, inside and out.
I am unafraid of the fullness of my emotions. I am fierce, romantic, and unapologetically drawn to the beauty of love itself.
Yet, in a world that often demands we shrink, I’ve felt the sting of being “too much”—and of comparing myself to others, feeling I wasn’t enough. Not thin enough, accomplished enough. I was made to me feel small and repressed by the weight of expectations. I was the “good girl” of the family, working tirelessly to shield my mother from more heartbreak, convinced I needed to be the steady one, the overachiever. In giving so much—pouring so much into others—I left pieces of myself behind, and my own cup empty.
I’ve hidden myself, wrapped my body in cardigans when shame and weight gain crept in, feeling betrayed by a body that spasms and falters due to thoracic outlet syndrome. I’ve allowed bereavement, grief and self-doubt to build walls that kept me from stepping into the world with my full brilliance.
But rising is to set those walls on fire. It’s the sun on my skin, the sway of my hips. I choose to honour this beautiful, resilient body of mine that has brought my son into this world and carried me through every storm—imperfections and all. She deserves my gratitude, love and care. It’s liberation. It’s trusting I’m enough, exactly as I am. It’s shedding the shame, fear, and the weight of expectations that never belonged to me in the first place.
I am sick of inequality, of women being saddled with the lion’s share of emotional and physical labour in families. I’m tired of glass ceilings and the unrelenting pressure to be “good girls.” We are taught to prioritise beauty over brains, stifle our mischief, swallow our truths. Our worth is measured in our appearance, obedience, and silence — and I refuse to accept it any longer.
For women, being unapologetic means embracing our collective power, our voices, and our right to exist fully and freely. It means tearing down the structures that have kept us small and building a world where we rise together.
I am done apologising for my existence, my needs, my fire. I am here to take up space.
The youngest and only girl, I was made to feel like a dead weight that had to be carried rather than a contributor. Reactively, I grew up ‘too’ independent, assertive, loud, smart; too masculine for a girl but not eligible for the respect due to a man.
I bullied my way into the men’s world and excelled there: academic and athletic scholarships, degrees, impactful and successful career, financial security, a handsome partner, and two lovable kids. Yet I still felt not enough,
The pandemic took everything. I couldn’t perform consistently—not mentally, physically or emotionally. I did shadow work, practiced letting go, worked on acknowledging where my value comes from (Goddess, not my achievements). Yet I still struggled. My husband doubted his ability to care for me and my kids were afraid to rely on me. Eventually, I lost all my friends, professional connections and community. I was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME-CFS) due to Covid, with no cure or accepted treatment. Only 5% of people are expected to get better. Then I learned I had a tumor on my aorta and could die at any moment. I was ready to go; I’d had a meaningful life. But miraculously, the tumor was removed and benign.
Life chose me, so I’ve decided to choose it back. I’m still disabled, unemployed, with no income, very few friends and a shaky marriage. I had to give up the home I spent my life paying for. I’m applying for every public assistance, charity and kindness that will help me experience quality of life and connection and relationship. I don’t worry about earning my keep or independence anymore. I paid my dues, did my best, and wound up disabled. That’s the story. I'm nude, I'm beautiful, I'm disabled. But I deserve a good life and I’m taking it. That’s what Unapologetic means to me.
I have felt too much when I have felt my emotions. I have tried to not feel.
I have felt too much when others have not met my needs. I have tried to not need anything.
I have felt too much by being a girl and woman, carrying the responsibility of others, as though my body was shameful or dangerous.
I have tried to cover up, hide, erase my existence. I have felt not enough when I compared myself to others. I have tried to make myself better, smaller, bigger, anything to be not me. I have felt not enough when my husband cheated on me.
I tried to make myself sexier, more desirable, or disinterested so as not to feel hurt by his rejection.
I have felt not enough when my parents disrespected me, and I felt too much when they refused to see me for who I truly am. I have tried to make them happy by staying small and quiet, not challenging their authority. I have stayed small to protect others from their own discomfort. I have silenced myself to keep their peace. I denied myself to give others what I thought they wanted.
NO MORE! I will no longer silence myself. I will take up space. I know that my needs are my own, and that they are good and worthy. I know that I have reasonable, human expectations that others respect me. I know that I am worthy of being cherished, honored, and chosen. I know that I am beautifully and wonderfully made, that I have Divine energy flowing through me.
My body and my voice have power, and I will not apologize for being myself.
Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, thin was the dream. But a male relative told me, when I was around 7, that I was too fat to do a handstand. I was then shamed around food, the fit of my clothes, and for existing. I wasn’t even a chubby child.
So, I grew a big personality and a very thick skin, to go alongside my larger body, but then found I was taking up too much space in another way, which made me again feel like I needed to shrink myself.
For as long as I can remember I’ve been on a diet - ones I’ve made up, bought, punished myself with. The result? I’ve got fatter and my eating has become more disordered. I used to truly believe being thin would be the miracle cure for EVERYTHING. I’ve never worried about being naked in a changing room or at home, yet I’ve felt unworthy of things: the job, the partner, the friends, the list goes on. I never attempted the handstand again.
Then a powerful new year wish from Bryony Gordon gave me permission to be me. “Mostly, I hope that you go forth and be fearlessly, unapologetically, you.”
It hasn’t been easy to change how I think, but I’m now proud to say: I know my weight doesn’t equal my worth. I’m proud of my body, its role as the vessel for my beautiful soul, and what it achieves every day. I’m truly unapologetic for my existence.
Now I want to take up space, be seen, be me without the shackles. I want to do that handstand.
I want to be totally unconcerned with other people’s opinions and love myself gloriously. That’s not to say I didn’t pick myself apart when I saw these photos or take a long time to redo them and strike some power poses! I guess there is always work to do. The patriarchy has a lot to answer for!
Never truly accepted, seen or heard in life. Others always know more, have more to offer, are more worthy in life.
Made to feel my size is wrong, imperfect and ugly! NOW is the time to be UNAPOLOGETIC........
I AM
A FANTASTIC Mother, a SENSUAL Lover, a LOYAL Friend! I AM A FIERCE, STRONG, BOLD, UNIQUE WOMAN
Who is BEAUTIFUL and ENOUGH.
I have a VALUED place and a VOICE in this world!
I AM UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME!!
I've had a bit of a battle with my weight the last couple of years after having 2 rounds of unsuccessful IVF. The hormones were intense!
I started weight training in January this year which has made me feel so much stronger. I have lost some weight but not as much as I want to. At 46 I'm really feeling all the shit that comes from the patriarchy about aging. I'm feeling like I'm disappearing because I'm over 40.
I feel like an invisible middle aged woman, not my young, fun self. Estrogen, please come back!! I want to be proud of my strong body and I want to be depicted as a GODDESS!!
So here I am, showing up for me, being brave!
When I stand
When I stand in front of another and I love myself entirely, when I love my face and my thighs and my breasts and can ignore all the bullshit that people trying to sell me stuff tell me.
When I love the woman that I am.
When I take the stories of all those who have gone before me, and all those who are here now, who suffer because they are women, those who are raped, murdered, beaten, cut, denied a voice, a vote, an education, when I take their stories and hold them to my own, when I draw on the strength of the women who fought for my rights to vote, to earn, to own property, to be able to have sex for pleasure.
When I stand in front of another knowing that my body is miraculous and that I am wonderful.
I am love. I am truth. I am strength. I am woman. I am mother, daughter, sister, ally, healer, visionary, mystic.
I am fucking magic. When I look into the eyes of another and I accept their love and their respect and their wonder.
And I say, ‘Come, touch my breast, gently with your fingertips.’
Well, when we do that, I think the earth moves a bit, and the tide turns a touch quicker.
Unapologetic, to me, means to own every part of my essence. The feminine, the wild, the untamed and sensual. The messy and chaotic, the creatrix, the bold and the intellectual.
It means even on the days when loving myself is the challenge, I show up as I need with courage or surrender.
And if at least one person can say, "fuck you inspired me", then I did something right.
Being unapologetic means that if I need to push You to see your potential and take an opportunity to shine. I will! It's not all sweetness or bite.
From chaos comes creation.
I AM ME
I AM SHE
SHE IS ME
UNAPOLOGETICALLY
I have been reclaiming myself over the last year.
Accepting my 57-year-old body as it is after accident, childbirth, and profound illness have removed my youth and my self-image and just letting me be me.
That's my Unapologetic: Damn it, I have lived through so much that should have killed me, should have broken me, and I am still here!
I'm not a girl anymore. I am not a child. I am a woman whose body has been shaped by life experience and has its own beauty forged in joy and sorrow.
I won't apologize for that ever again!
I am 53 and at the beginning of this year I shed decades long mis-held self-beliefs about myself and started looking at my body for what it is, strong, powerful, battle scarred but still standing and moving.
For the first time ever, I am proud of the goddess I am.
To be Unapologetic means to me to live without regret.
I've spent so many years filled with regret. Regret for a lack of self-control that could keep me at an acceptable size… regret that my laugh was too loud and my heart too tender… regret that boundaries felt rude and deeming myself unworthy of primary consideration a necessity to get through the day.
Today I rise and I challenge my own perception of regret. I find that my regret lies in abandoning myself... in duing my worth… in accepting society's standard as truth instead of standing in my own truth.
I rise and I commit to Self-love Unapologetically. I prioritize myself and I seek approval from within.
To all my Sisters I send the same love… may you never apologize again for your uniqueness in the world.
For years, I didn’t value my body because the world around me didn’t either. At 13, I was raped by a guy 5 years older than me. Sex became a way to feel wanted, beautiful - because I thought beauty was my only currency in a world that demanded women fit into a narrow mould. I spent years trying to fit into boxes. Look and act a certain way. Please everyone else. I became a stranger to myself.
But everything changed in my late 20s. When I met my twin flame, I began to see myself differently. For the first time, I allowed myself to feel comfortable in my own skin, seeing my body as something not to be judged or controlled but celebrated. Through trauma release, deep work, and inner dance, I reconnected with myself in ways I never thought possible. Now, I truly fucking love my body - every glorious inch of it.
I no longer apologise for being me. I embrace my neuro-sparkly self. For me, being unapologetic means stepping out of the shadows where I’ve been told to stay - no longer hiding or shrinking to fit others’ expectations and boxes. It’s about reclaiming my body, voice, and power; loving myself fiercely, flaws and all. It’s freedom, wildness, choosing to live authentically and fiercely without asking for permission. Every woman deserves to feel this way.
For women, being unapologetic means a collective revolution, breaking free from centuries of societal conditioning that tells us we’re too much or not enough. It’s rejecting the notion that we must meet impossible standards of beauty, behaviour, or success to be valued. It’s an act of defiance in a world that still tries to silence us. It’s about taking up space - physically, emotionally, and intellectually without fear or shame, and loving our bodies, our minds, and our choices.
Unapologetic women inspire others to rise, heal, and claim their power.
The past few years have been difficult physically, emotionally and spiritually. I have been sexually assaulted, bullied and subjected to racial abuse by someone who was extremely close to me. In these situations, I’ve been made to feel shame, guilt, like the whole thing was my fault.
As a result of this I have shrunk and become a former shell of myself, a far cry from the vivacious person I once was.
Made to feel small, think that I’m crazy, oppressed and unworthy.
Oh but honey is that changing.
I now stop looking for validation from others and the only person who can validate me is me, in order to feel good enough or worthy. I am a strong and powerful woman and I will always be me. I will be taking up all the space and being loud and standing up for what I believe in…and if you don’t like it there’s the door, don’t let it hit you on the backside on the way out.
2025 is the year of unapologetically me.
I followed the normal path expected of me - going to university, getting married (moving to another state) and having a child. All seemed good until my forties. (It wasn’t good, just not terrible or bad). My partner didn't want to do things. My child was doing well in school and life. And I was bored… very bored. And dreaded going home, so stayed at work late. Developed solo hobbies. But still not living a real life. So I started doing the things that I wanted, starting with belly dance classes and performing.
Taking control of my sensuality and body.
I started traveling solo a little bit. I bought myself the things I wanted. Then started going to local events solo if my partner wasn't available/interested. Started a separate bank account. At some point it wasn't enough. I told my partner I wanted a divorce. He agreed and we worked through things. I didn't hate him, I just couldn't live with the passive aggressiveness and boredom. I kept expanding my enjoyment/fun. I started dating and discovered a whole new world of sexual fun. Continued trying new things. Started going to concerts of the performers I missed. My motto the past few years has been, “Don’t be bored or boring.”
Currently life is awesome. I turned 60 this past year and found a new partner that is just right for me. He doesn't want me to change or curb myself and is excited when I stretch myself. My child is doing great and is finding their way in life (unapologetically!!). Only downside right now is US politics…
But I am taking up space and living my best life. And speaking out when I can. I am so grateful to be mentally and physically where I am now.
There is a kundalini practice I learnt where you breathe into your spine, connecting to your inner warrior. I never feel more powerful than when I do this practice, like I can take on the world. I feel grounded, like a tree with many roots anchoring me fast—one that’s withstood many storms but still reaches upwards to the light. At the same time, I’ve always been drawn to water. When I swim, all my troubles melt away; the water is me and I am it.
I think I’ve always felt like I am too much; too loud, passionate, outspoken, colourful, sad, sexual, too everything. We are taught to be quiet - not to laugh as loudly, show off, love as hard or use certain language; to be more zen or softer, to fit in.
I turned 59 this month and despite my mental illness, I am more comfortable in my own skin than ever. I only wear make-up or colour my hair when I want to. I wear what is comfortable. I have fewer qualms about setting and maintaining boundaries. I speak for the voiceless and try to shine a light on issues like homelessness, war and capitalism. I’m sick of sexism and inequality, of women still being shamed, gas-lit, manipulated, , spoken of as victims. Of trans women being persecuted, lesbians being ‘othered’, and violence against women still not being taken seriously. But we’ve begun fighting back more against the patriarchy, so, I’m hopeful.
In the depths of my depressive periods, I still feel small, ugly, old, fat and unlovable, drowning in despair and fear. As a therapist I encounter so many women with low self-esteem, preventing them living an effective, happy life. I feel my work is to raise others up.
For me ‘unapologetic’ means stepping into my/our power—taking up space because we deserve it, we fought hard for it, and we’re proud of being ourselves. warts and all.
In a world that often underestimates and dims the extraordinary. I rise up, stand tall and shine brightly.
I refuse to downplay my successes and hide away my light for anyone.
I celebrate my inspirations and creative process that births Spellbinding Timeless Treasures. I am A Creatrix!
I surrender and trust - I CLAIM MY POWER BACK - I AM UNAPOLOGETICALLY Blessed, Gifted, Successful, Authentic...
I AM UNAPOLOGETIC for being LOVE: The Giver of Love, The Receiver of Love, The Bridge to Love, The Breath of Love, The Vessel for Love, The Mirror to Love.
LOVE.
I was always happy naked until my teens, when I started to judge my body against the stupid photoshopped images the world was full of in the 90s/00s.
For years I thought any squish, fold or roll was fat, and fat was bad, but I didn’t mind how I felt in my body, away from mirrors.
As I got older, I realised it was bullshit. That I’m a small person with biggish tits, and a body shape that comes from muscle, not just fat. I realised how strong I was, and that while I’m quite short, I don’t feel small in my heart.
Then I grew a whole human inside me, and realised my body is capable of incredible power. That our bodies should be celebrated, loved and cared for, squishy bits and all.
I don’t want to be perfect. I want to be real and genuine. I apologise for my actions easily, but not for being me: a bit weird, or a bit much for some people. I figure those are not my people. So it’s out of character to hide or worry about squish.
My birth experience, which included an unwanted emergency c-section, was horrific, and I’m still working to release it and forgive. My baby was perfectly healthy, but my beautiful body is scarred. I have a lot of scars, each with a story, but this one is not a story that I chose; it’s a reminder of being violated by a patriarchal medical system that doesn’t listen to, respect or value women. I have fought off sexual assaults and a would-be rapist, but that c-section scar is a reminder of the fight I lost.
For most of my life I have considered myself not very womanly, not ‘feminine’. But childbirth and motherhood has changed how I feel about that, and radicalised me.
I am a woman, I am strong, and I will fight - not with fists, but with a heart full of love.
I know who I am and am deeply aware of the things I love. I am a passionate person, and I was always told that I was too much. She’s too loud, too emotional, too weird, too much to handle… they all said. Journeying through life believing these words was slowly but surely debilitating to my soul. I could literally feel myself being squashed as I continued to painfully shrink myself smaller and smaller, contorting myself to fit in to their molds, convinced that I needed to. That I must. Could I really be too much? I allowed myself to be repeatedly hushed, until I no longer had a voice at all.
It took me a very long time to realize that they were right. Yes, I am too much. In fact, I am unapologetically too much! I am too strong, too kind, too loving, too beautiful and too fucking wonderful!
Unleashing and living my true self authentically has liberated me to embrace all of my too-muchness. To love it. To exude it.
To know I am enough exactly the way that I am. The acceptance and love I have poured in to myself has allowed me to fearlessly show up in my life in ways I had only ever dreamed of before. I had discovered the validation that I craved hidden deep within myself. I am worthy to take up space!
I am worthy to be heard! I am free to be liked or disliked and I know that none of that will change who I am in the core of my being. I get to decide who I am each morning, and acknowledge my self-worth every day. I choose to unabashedly speak my truth and no one will have the power to dim my light or my voice ever again.
I intentionally overdosed in 2023. Why? That’s a toss-up between culture’s definition of a woman; fundamentalist Christianity’s screwed-up teachings on sexuality, pleasure, and a woman’s role; and twenty years of marital abuse.
For ten years, my husband watched me through peepholes he’d drilled in the bathroom wall and set up video cameras in our bedroom. He fondled me sexually while I was asleep and lied about it, saying I was nuts. I doubted my reality. Then the lying stopped, but open abuse began. I’d be traumatised and furious; he’d avoid me until I stopped yelling; repeat. Yet overwhelmingly, people advised me it was on me: he needed more sex, better sex. Then, during a sexual encounter I initiated, I realised I was completely dissociated, watching from outside my body. I asked him to do therapy with me. He was noncommittally willing.
The therapist nailed us both to the wall instantly. My elaborate denial (survival mechanism). My husband’s sex addiction, intimacy avoidance, and lack of emotional intelligence. After twenty years, someone finally affirmed my worth and validated my experience: what had happened wasn’t okay.
I was so overwhelmed that I wanted to sleep and never wake. But after overdosing on prescription meds, I texted for medical help. I’ve been clawing my way back to myself ever since: getting therapy, setting boundaries. I divorced the church, happily. My tribe has grown smaller in number, but larger in safety and love.
It’s my body. I decide who, where, why, what, and when I get touched. I am never going to be small, or sit down and shut up, again.
I WILL NEVER AGAIN APOLOGIZE FOR BEING MYSELF.
I am not sorry for facing my fears and my own shadows.
I am not sorry that I am a woman.
I am not sorry that I now know how to say no.
I am not sorry that I know the importance of rest.
I am not sorry that I listen to my body. I am not sorry that I love every inch of my body.
I am not sorry that I love my entire being. I am not sorry that I love life.
I am not sorry that I stand for love and life. I am not sorry for finding and freeing my voice.
I am not sorry for having a voice. I am not sorry for being weird.
I am not sorry my father let me down.
I am not sorry for making a noise. I am not sorry for being skinny.
I am not sorry for realising we are living in the upside down.
I am not sorry for giving the trees a voice.
I am not sorry for being authentically me. I am not sorry for shining my brightest light.
I am not sorry for existing.
I AM NOT SORRY FOR OR AFRAID OF BEING ME.
I’m a 45-year-old single mum - well at least, that's one version of my story.
My relationship ended 4 years ago and I’m still working on healing the damage that was done in the 20 years before that door closed. The hardest thing to overcome is how I feel about my body.
I want a new relationship but I refuse to have my sensuality and love of my body to come from an external place, someone’s eyes and opinions. This skin, this shape, and all the ways it wants to move, are mine.
I have felt more and more invisible the bigger I got. The more I take up physical space, the less space I hold emotionally and energetically.
Eye closed, I feel soft skin, lush curves and a passion under the surface. Eye open, I feel the judgements I imagine are falling from those around me.
But they are imagined.
I trust my hands to tell me the truth. I trust my heart to re-educate my eyes.
I am a 45-year-old curvy queen and I get to write my future.
This picture was taken after a powerful ritual. It was a dark and rainy day. My body chronically tired and heavier than I had ever been.
I stood in the middle of a small circle, surrounded by women, my sisters. I told them about my demons. About the shame, suicidal thoughts and giving up. Only being worthy of love if I gave something in return. My body, money, my identity, anything. Never feeling good enough to just receive love unconditionally. For just being me.
Those demons where with me since I was just 13 years old.
Now 33, I managed to stand here and ask them to embody my demons. To literally let me face them. My sisters listened, nodded, focused and braced themselves. I took some deep breaths to strengthen my wavering resolve and came at them. I pushed my way through them with all of my being. Hearing them shout and whisper the worst of the worst. Embodying those demons.
I nearly crumbled, my knees caving from emotion. But I got back up and was determined to go through with it. It felt like I fought the fight for my existence.
I finally crossed the finish line hunched over and breathing hard from the fight. I made it. I took off my clothes, taking off the last of my masks and layers, and turned around. My demons were gone and my sisters were facing me with so much love. They raised their hands and replied to my triumphant cheers. I am staying! Yes! This is where I belong! Yes! And there is nothing I have to do for that! No!
Look at me. Here I am. I will keep living. And so can you. Unapologetically.
What has made me feel not enough? Other people's expectations and pressures. You should be thinner, smaller, more like this person or that person. You would look better if you lost weight. You've always been different. You're too loud, you're too quiet. You shouldn’t say anything, speak out, or cause a fuss. You're hormonal. You're a woman.
What has made me feel repressed and small? Weight on my body. Weight in my heart. Not loving myself. Not believing in myself. Not allowing myself to truly be me. Shame, guilt, unlovable. Wanting to scream out loud but instead, staying silent and not finding my voice. I am a woman.
What has kept me from taking up space? Shame of how I'm seen. Worried about getting things wrong or making mistakes. Too afraid to speak out and challenge all that is wrong. I am a woman.
What has stopped me being totally proud of myself? Belief that I've not done anything worthy enough to be proud of myself. Voices from the past telling me not to show off, putting me down. Constant criticism. Can I be proud of myself? I am a woman.
What has kept me small? Me. I've kept myself small. Deliberately, trying to protect myself. Until now!
How does it feel to rise? Fucking glorious!
How does it feel to take up space and to stop apologising for being me? I feel free! Finally free!
Am I sick of inequality? Yes! I'm sick of inequality. The targeted advertisements of how we should look. The pay gap. The lack of female leaders. The career choices and expectations. The sexual exploitation. The name calling if we, as women stand up for ourselves, our views if we challenge the patriarchy.
What does unapologetic mean to me?
I am unique. I am amazing. I am beautiful.
I will not apologise for being me. I will not conform to expectations.
I will stand up for others. I will challenge injustices.
I am not sorry and I will not apologise.
What does unapologetic mean to women as a whole?
We stand together as sisters. We speak our truths. We have a collective voice and we are not fucking apologising.
At 4 years old I found out it was not "safe" to be noticed.
So it has been me who kept myself small,
I have worn my cloak of invisibility as a protection my whole life.
No More.
Unapologetic.
Personally, to take up space and allow myself to shine
For women as a whole, to stay true to yourself, unwavering in the face of judgement from others.
For so many years I hid myself. I was good. I did the right thing. I followed the expectations of society; that's what a good girl does.
I hid myself until I almost lost myself. And then, just before I disappeared, I stopped hiding. I stopped doing what others thought I should. I stopped apologising for being me.
I took the wheel, I made choices for me instead of others. I began to believe in myself and found my power and my voice. I started to show the world who I am.
I am fierce. I am caring.
I am loving.
I am angry.
I am sad. I am happy.
I am overwhelmed.
I am powerful. I am sexual.
I am all this and much, much more.
I AM A WOMAN. I AM UNAPOLOGETIC.
Connected to the earth and at home in my body. Flowing in life, moving in a way that feels good for my body.
Courageously being me, honouring my story, and loving all the parts of me. Being a loving, compassionate being. Open to love- love for myself and all other living beings. Speaking my truth and listening to others.
Expanding awareness beyond the text books. Accessing deep wisdom and trusting intuition.
Seeing the good in myself and others. Thankful for each day, each moment, each breath. The days I overcome and survive.
The days I burn bright and thrive.
Proud that I can remain soft, open to all that is good. To still have the courage to feel all my emotions, the strength to love and the capacity for compassion. To know that even in the darkest of times my fire burns and I can be a light.
Despite everything I choose to be….
Unapologetically resting, Unapologetically moving, Unapologetically surviving, Unapologetically speaking, Unapologetically truthful, Unapologetically feeling, Unapologetically loving, Unapologetically compassionate, Unapologetically kind, Unapologetically living, Unapologetically wise, Unapologetically intuitive, Unapologetically thankful, Unapologetically hopeful, Unapologetically bright, Unapologetically shining, Unapologetically strong, Unapologetically soft, Unapologetically evolving
UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME.
She is a tempest wrapped in velvet, a woman who walks unshackled by the chains of expectation.
Her power is not whispered but roared, her sexuality a fire she wields with grace, never dimmed by the weight of judgment.
She is a mother, fierce and nurturing.
Her body, a temple of resilience, carries the stories of 42 years—every scar, every curve, every breath a testament to survival and celebration—but she is so much more than the vessel that carries her soul.
Her essence is infinite, her mind sharp, her heart expansive, her spirit unapologetically alive.
She stands radiant in her truth, a symphony of strength, sensuality, and boundless possibility.
Things I was made to feel:
As a child: As a mother: At Work:
Too loud Too neurotic. Too much
Too fat. Too depressed. Too caring
Too short Not enough. Too slow
Too hairy Not good enough Too mental
Too spotty Too colourful
It’s been a long journey. HERE I AM.
48, Divorced, With an autistic teenage son, Perimenopausal
No longer masking ADHD and Dyslexia, With grey hairs
And body hair, Loud, Loving, Colourful.
UNAPOLOGETICALLY accepting who I am.
My journey with my body is ongoing and I now love that I'm nearing 56 years old (next week - Capricorn).
Attending boarding school as a teenager, I was acutely embarrassed that I needed a bra before the other girls, and hid in the wardrobe to dress each morning, thus bringing on yet more bullying. I would also exercise for hours on end to try and reduce lumps and bumps that I didn't like.
My career started off in a male-dominated world, and I looked down on other women and womanhood as a whole. In my mid-30s I had a mental health crisis, then discovered the Goddess and that women are OK just as they are - wonderful, even.
I took responsibility for being a woman (e.g. starting a period diary) and even learned some feminine skills (cooking, cleaning, nutrition) that I'd thought weren't worth learning. Continuing to work on myself, I now love being a woman and love my body, even now it's post-menopausal.
These days I wear no make-up or jewellery, leave my hair undyed and the hair on the rest of my body unshaven. I live most of my life naked, in tiny homes, in the UK in the summer and abroad in the sunshine in the winter. I am a great believer in the power of nakedness to heal, both for individuals and for society.
The sun and wind, and even rain, on bare skin feels like Nature at its best - unapologetic.
I’ve just turned 40, and I’ve spent the most part of my life apologising for everything. For my sensitivity that was labelled as too much. For my choices that were deemed too immature or foolish. For my emotions that were rated as too intense. For anything that wasn’t tidy, perfect, working as expected, as if all of it was constantly my fault. I’ve spent most of my life apologising for my very existence.
I’ve recently realised how, since childhood, I’ve been conditioned to believe I was a burden, too much, someone in constant need of fixing: my faults and flaws, my appearances, my lack of skills, my broken parts. I’ve been conditioned to believe fixing myself was my duty, and that I had to apologise for everything I couldn’t fix. I now see how deep this conditioning was - how deeply it impacted everything in my life, and how many other women have felt the same. The more I share about this, the more I know I’m not alone. I also decided that if I’m “cringe”, “too much” or “not enough” to others, that’s ok. I’m not going to feel sorry or apologise for being me and feeling what I feel anymore.
There’s been a “too” attached to me for what feels like forever. Too skinny, too fat, too smart for my own good, too active, too lazy, too masculine, too feminine, too sexy, too unnoticeable, too much or too little…
I can’t change how others see me, and frankly I don’t want to spend any more of my energy that way. But I can create an internal revolution by choosing how I see myself.
From now on I am infusing radical acceptance of every part of me in every cell of my body.
From now on I choose to live unapologetically.
From love, from deep inside my heart and womb, I am unapologetically me.
After being left by my father and suffering abuse in childhood abuse, feelings of abandonment and shame made me unhappy in my own skin. By my twenties I was depressed, bulimic and the perfect people-pleaser.
At 21, in a relationship with an older, controlling man. I had my beautiful daughter. I was exhausted and burnt out, but the perfect mum. Later, I married another controlling older man, who rewarded my people-pleasing with gifts but told me nobody else would want me. I believed him.
Then I was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer and Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. As I fought it to keep it at bay, yoga helped me begin to love my body and feel pride - I could do poses others struggled with. Training to become a yoga teacher was the most life-changing decision I’ve ever made! As my body became stronger, so did my mind. I was unapologetic for who I was becoming – ‘Luna’’, my spiritual name that represented the real me: my essence before life tainted me.
Since then, I’ve trained as a shamanic practitioner. My CML flared back up with a vengeance, but I’ve managed, with the support of the Amazing Angie Twydall, to become an associate teacher within the Sanctuary of Sophia. My role as a Melissa at this summer’s goddess conference was hugely rewarding.
I’ve now reached that level of unapologetic love for me and my wonky body. So here I am in a field in my wellies, stripping naked for a self-photoshoot in December, so I can have my body painted.
Being UNAPOLOGETIC means loving myself back home.
It means radical self-acceptance as an act of rebellion in a world which desperately needs such healing for the peace for all beings everywhere. It is understanding that how I treat my body is how I treat the world, making any of these acts of Love truly the most powerful seeds which could be planted!
Being UNAPOLOGETIC means allowing my wings to stretch out to the extent of their furthest most tips!
It means fluttering them, flying high, and falling lots, and loving myself no matter how many times I pick myself up and try again! It means making space for the darkness to do its magic…. To allow our caterpillar-selves to take time in the cocoon to form the wings needed in order to fly once more…
Being UNAPOLOGETIC means reclaiming the battleground of our wounded bodies and sowing seeds of love into the scars which told stories of our own and others’ hurts.
It means becoming captain of our own sacred vessel and steering it to new heights of playfulness, wisdom, pleasure and JOY!!!
Taught to believe I am not enough unless I put the needs, beliefs or opinions of others ahead of my own.
Taught to believe what I have to say is less valid than the opinion of others.
Taught to believe no matter what I do or how kind I may be the final comments will be in judgement of my weight and how I look.
Taught to believe I have no right to express my anger.
Taught to believe my emotions should be banished into silence.
Taught to believe that sex is for the pleasure of men and feminine sensuality is shameful.
Seeking light through the darkness of the cultural, societal and familial taboos and projections, I reject, deny and banish all these imposed beliefs. And in their place:
I evoke Acceptance of the multi-layered, Beautiful, Wise creation that is Me. I Surrender Unapologetically to My Power, Intuition, Wisdom, Sensitivity and Sensuality.
I Surrender and am Empowered by All that I Am.
I have spent most of my life apologising. Apologising for things even when I am in the right, apologising for not doing things that have been expected of me because I simply don't want to or for just simply being me.
I have been made time over time to feel totally powerless, like my life is pointless and that I have no purpose in life, like I should apologies for being alive.
I have shied away from my true feminine self as I have never felt confident due to the way I have been treated in the past.
I have hated my body inside and out.....but no more. I am no longer apologetic to others only to myself.
I will find my confidence, I will find my strength and I will find my power and I will be UNAPOLOGETIC!!!!
Change starts now.....unapologetically!!!!
HERE I AM. Courageous, bold and free
Here I am unapologetically being me.
Having lived a life with no voice. Being controlled, manipulated. Shut down and quietened.
I now stand up, oh yes I have a choice.
Being a good girl and fitting in,
Keeping the peace, Doing what's expected
But now I challenge, I speak up, I no longer fear not fitting in.
I am a wonderful crazy woman Who is Fierce and Brave.
I have a story to tell, A life to create.
I am real and True
And
Unapologetically definitely NOT FAKE.
In 2025 I have told myself I need to empower and embrace the body and person I am and celebrate the person I want to become - the real me.
This image of me represents a powerful woman who has survived so many painful stories.
A mother of 4 amazing humans, but as a woman struggled massively with how my size 8 body changed into a size 14/16.
Diagnosed with Adhd, my body dymorphia, I was never enough, became more apparent during the changes, but I have grown 4 beautiful unique individuals.
My mind has controlled me for so long in not allowing myself to love and except myself as good enough.
I have never in my life stood naked to have a photo taken but I hope that this opportunity allows me to continue to embrace and grow to love me I am good enough and I deserve to be seen and heard and accepted as enough.
WE ARE ALL good enough whoever we are.
For me it all starts in childhood - too loud, too chatty, too giggly, children must be seen & not heard, too much of a tomboy & then heading into puberty was when the real struggle began. I felt incredibly self-conscious, blushed at the slightest glance in my direction (for this I was teased & the inevitable was pointed out - "you've gone bright red" - like I didn't know my face felt as if it was on fire) & this meant I decided to fly under the radar, go as unnoticed as possible, never draw attention to myself.
Added to this my Dad used to heavily criticise us for 'blowing our own trumpet' & for any tasks marks out of 10 were given - invariably less than 10 because he didn't want us to get big headed. I felt as if my needs & wants weren't important & wouldn't be listened to - that I wasn't good enough, that 'I' was somehow wrong. Constantly apologising for everything, but especially just being me. Being proud of myself felt alien, isn't that thinking too much of myself? Bigging myself up?
To rise feels empowering, liberating, freeing - it feels deserved, right, natural.
I am totally sick of inequality, women are amazing!!! We give birth for fuck's sake!!! (or goodness sake!) We are wonderful, creative & magical beings, literally giving birth to life!
To me unapologetic means - no longer saying I'm sorry for being too much, too this, too that, not being ashamed of myself or my body in all my/its messy glory. It means taking up space & being me. I have nothing to apologise for.
To women as a whole - we have nothing to apologise for, this sums it up for me.
I show up untamed and authentic, loving myself fiercely, forgiving
freely and embracing my flaws as I am like art work, unique and
one of a kind.
For as long as I can remember I have looked in the mirror and been saddened by what I see. This is one of my mother's legacies, as she did not love herself! However, she loved me immensely and she also helped to shape a strong and independent woman.
I have brought 4 beautiful children in to the world, breast fed them all and feel proud to have done that!
I'm 54 and will not put up with the things that I did in my younger days and I feel I owe it to myself and my beautiful children to give myself a break and stop being so hard on myself!
This is me!
Well done me for getting this far!
I'm so thrilled that my daughter has been inspired by you too and wants to be part of your amazing project!!
When I was younger, I used to dream of the day I'd feel confident and love myself, but I never believed I'd actually get there.
I had disordered eating as a teenager, and I was then paralysed with social anxiety from my late teens until my late twenties, causing me to lose friendships when I was too afraid to speak up.
I was also in a toxic relationship until I was 21 which isolated me even further.
However, this all helped me become the strong woman I am today and led me to a path of self-acceptance and self-discovery.
When I was 25, I decided to embark on my biggest journey yet and went to the other side of the world on my own. I worked and travelled for 15 months and was where I met my current partner of 7 years. Travelling has been a part of our lives ever since.
Confidence was never something that came easy to me but something I've learnt to become along the way which is why I've jumped at this chance to be a part of Unapologetic.
For me, Unapologetic is finally taking up space, loving who I am, accepting my flaws and quirks, not being afraid to show up as my authentic self and accepting that I won't be everyone's cup of tea.
This is me and I'm making the little girl inside of me proud every day.
I have hidden myself, pushed myself down, ignored my true self, lied to myself to pacify others.
But now I am older, I am without shame, no regret, no apology.
I am prepared to deal with the consequences of becoming fully myself, powerful, playful and free!
I am unapologetic about who I am and what my body looks like.
It has triumphed over hardships and still holds me daily.
It can move sensually and it has grown and fed three babies.
I embarked on motherhood in my late thirties/early forties and wasn't prepared for how it would change me physically or mentally.
My first baby came by C-section due to complications late in pregnancy adding a scar and unsightly apron to my already voluptuous belly ... My next baby was a victory in pushing back against the system, I was medically classed as a geriatric obese mother to be and was being pushed to have another c section.
I refused to be pushed by a society that fears fat and by men who do not know the inner strength of women.
I had a successful vbac delivery with my son, my body doing what it was designed to. There was trauma, stitches, blood loss and a transfusion afterwards but I've never been prouder of what this body did and how it brought life into the world.
This body has then gone on to nurture and provide sustenance for a little over two years now. I gave my body over to motherhood entirely loosing myself in the process in a society that largely doesn't support women whom choose to feed their children beyond infancy, that over sexualises the female form and dares to have an opinion on its size, shape, colour and texture!
This is my body to do with as I please Unapologetically!
My story is one of unconditional love, of ending generational trauma and healing my inner child.
As a parent I always knew I would love and accept my children whoever they were, however they identified and whoever they wanted to be. I was never given this love and acceptance and was made to feel ashamed, dirty and wrong. Like I was a failure and a disappointment. Raised in a very religious household I had strict views imposed upon me that squashed who I truly was.
Through supporting my own child in their own self-discovery and giving them unconditional love and space to do this, I have also come back to who I truly am. I have turned that love inward and healed the child that didn't get that same experience.
This resulted in me being able to embrace and accept my sexuality as a lesbian and finally feel unapologetically and powerfully, me.
I choose to live my life unapologetically
Show and be in my body unapologetically
Express myself verbally unapologetically