The photo I’ve been using was old, back when I was younger and believe much prettier, but reality can burn sometimes. Fifteen years, anti-psychotic medications and chronic illness has changed my looks.
I have always been comfortable with how I looked. That is until three years ago when I gained over 40 pounds from taking a new medication for my Bipolar Disorder. Anyone who takes medications for mental illness can relate to this amount of weight gain in a month’s time.
I write openly, honestly, and from my heart. I have taken many photos over the past couple of months looking for one I could live with. This is the best one so far. It will probably not be the last one. I want you to see the face behind the blog.

Re-energize, Re-generate, and Seek Wellness
Melinda
Your inner light shines through in this fun and honest photo. I like how your hair goes with the shape of the hat for an uplifting effect.
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Thank you for your kind words. I hope what people see is the person behind the blog, I may not like the photo but I live a fulfilled life and am truly happy. Which is all that matters. Tell me more about the store!!!!
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I like the photo. Do you mean the Redbubble store? It’s all on-line. I upload my art to be put on T shirts, posters, coffee mugs, and all kinds of things. If people order them, I get a small percentage. It doesn’t cost me anything and it’s fun! Thanks for asking! https://www.redbubble.com/people/joannesilvia/shop?asc=u&ref=account-nav-dropdown
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Thanks, I’ll be sure to check out. I had not heard of RedBubble before, it must be a new online marketplace. Have a great day.
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I think it’s been around for a few years. Thanks for checking it out!
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Our truself is always beautiful.
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You are correct on that one. What is one the inside, in our hearts is all that matters. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
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It’s scary – in my opinion – showing ourselves when we’re comfortable with words, but it makes us more vulernable to show our faces, who we are, when we may not be comfortable with how chronic illness has changed us. I know this may sound hollow to you but all I can say is that I truly mean this from the bottom of my heart – I love your photo and I think you look very pretty!! If I didn’t know you and what you have to contend with then I’d look at you and think you’re happy and healthy and gawwgeous. You’re still gawwwgeous, no matter what you deal with, no matter how much weight you gain.xxxxx
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It is scary and that is one reason I didn’t use a photo at all. I was stalked by another WP blogger for two years back in 2017 and it was very scary. They hacked my Twitter and my computer, send me messages on my phone. One day I got so scared they were about to come in the house I actually went outside. In the end, I figured out who it was, she was very mentally ill and I tried to help her. Nowadays I don’t get involved with helping people just making a few suggestions. I also have http://www.survivorsbloghere.wordpress.com, which is a very different site than my personal site. I deal with all types of trauma and mental illnesses. I’ve had that site for seven years now, it can be very interesting and sad but I can relate to many people since my background is pretty crazy.
Thank you for the kind words, I know what’s important is what’s on the inside, it a vain thing I guess, still like how I look 50 pounds lighter, or as you would say stones lighter. HAHA
Thanks for the offer to help. I have the information and hope to put it to use for my Sunday post, Thing’s I’m Loving. I do have the supplement information in there for you.
Hugs
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I am blind so am unable to see your photo, but I know you are beautiful, that comes across in your writing. I take meds for mental illness too so I know the struggle.
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Carol thank you for the kind words. It’s more important that I come across as a beautiful person than look like one. What matters truly is what’s in our hearts. You have such a full life for someone who is blind. I almost remember the first time we talked, a long time ago when you first started following me. My dementia slows me down but I have a vague memory of us talking. I truly appreciate you following me and providing such great feedback and rooting me on each week, you are the reason I write. 🙂
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Melinda, I didn’t realise you had dementia, I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m so happy to be following you, you have a great blog 😍🙂
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I got dementia from Lyme, the disease went to my brain and caused the cognitive damage. Unfortunately, the brain doesn’t grow back so I have lots of missing pieces. What country are you in? I’m up a little after 6 am CST in America.
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I am in Ireland, it’s about 145 here now in the afternoon
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That must be 145C not F, I don’t think Ireland gets that hot. It’s in the dead of summer here so it’s very hot. Have a great day. 🙂
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No I meant 1:45 in the afternoon sorry should’ve clarified that
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I don’t know about C’ but F’s would have been very hot!!!!! Like in HELL!!!! I know Ireland can’t be that bad. I bet the weather there, except all the rain is beautiful. What part of the country do you live in? The city or country? I haven’t been there, the closest is England. I live in Texas which is the south-central part of North America, smack in the middle of the country about halfway to Mexico. Hope you have a great early evening. 🙂
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I am living in Cork it’s down in the south of the country the weather here is okay it’s raining a lot though but that’s not unusual for Ireland, normally we get temps in the 60s or 70s and normally not any higher than that
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I can live with temps like that but the rain would get old. Tell me about the technology you use to read with when you have a few minutes. It’s getting close to bedtime there, right?
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It’s just gone 9 pm here now, are use my iPhone which can talk it has speech built into it I also use a laptop with speech built-in that’s how I read on my blogs and write my post as well
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Cool. It works great! Take care. 🙂
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Thanks Melinda, good night I’m off to bed now see you tomorrow XOXO
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Beautiful!
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You’re too kind. I have to accept what God has given. Thankfully I’m a very happy person and fulfilled in life. That’s what is important. 🙂
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❤️
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I really like your photo. I don’t know why we are always our own worst critic, and what we see of ourselves is truly not what others see. I never like any of my own haha!
Thanks for sharing and btw cool hat! 🙂
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you’re right we are our own worst critic. I don’t see the same person in the mirror as I do n the photo, that’s where I have the disconnect. Thankfully I’m a truly fulfilled person and that is all that matters. 🙂 That’s one of my favorite cowboy hats!
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Lovely warm photo ❤️
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You are too kind. Thank you for your kind words. I’ve really hated to put a new photo out but felt like a phony behind an old one. Have a great day. 🙂
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I really like this photo, you look great, honest , and you are beautiful 💜
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You’re way too kind. I wish I were more comfortable with how I looked but we must accept somethings and this is one. Thank you for taking the time to comment and have a great day. 🙂
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No of are ever really happy with how we look . But the truth is we all have an inner beauty which is far more important than external beauty 💜
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Amen to that!
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good to see you.
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It was so good to see you in the photo we used for your interview. You’re a very attractive man! It’s always nice to put a face with the words. Have a great day. 🙂
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Beautiful!🤗
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Thank you, you’re too kind. Have a great day. 🙂
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I certainly see the girl. I hope you do too.🙂
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Thank you, I feel the girl….just don’t see her when I look in the mirror. It’s a distorted view I still haven’t accepted. I have a great life and am truly happy, that’s what is really important in life, right? Have a great day. 🙂
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Omg, you look so beautiful my dear friend. May God bless you with more beautiful life.😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
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You’re way too kind. I am fat, other than that I’m okay with myself. I still think I look good when the weight is off. I’m not adjusted to looking in the mirror and seeing a much bigger woman. But life deals us what it will. We have to accept it. 🙂
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People looks always beautiful but the few people point of view find them fatty, thinner, blackish etc ignore those people and accept that make you happier always. 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
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I’m a truly happy person in my heart and that is what
is matters most in life. 🙂
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YUP, Life requires only one thing that is happiness.
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Happiness and something to believe in which is what can make you happy.
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I love this picture! You look like my kind of person. ❤❤❤
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You’re too kind. I’m certainly your kind of person. We have many things in common and similar faith beliefs.
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