Hello everyone! The Unleashed One here. I hope all are doing well and staying safe. Since I plan to be busy with other activities, I will also be posting Day 31 separately.
Believe it or not, 2021was a struggle in the realm of being comfortable in my body. I did not anticipate dropping additional weight. In 2020, I legitimately believed I was at my set point. However, in the early part of 2021, my weight decreased again, and I got in a space where the number of pictures I took of myself decreased.
For me, there's always been an adjustment period when I am going through changes. I went through it when my weight was at its heaviest. I went through it as my weight began to decrease. I've never had to adjust as much as I have within these past couple of years.
With that said, I was still able to fish out twelve pictures that I adored (of myself) the most in 2021. In addition, I will throw in some honorable mentions.
Keep in mind, these are my personal favorites of me. They may or may not be on Facebook or Instagram. They may not necessarily be the favorite in the eyes of the public, even those who know me.
First the collage. I find that makes it easier for me to keep items in timeline order.
1st Row features pictures from January thru April.
2nd Row features pictures from May thru August.
3rd Row features pictures from September thru December.
January
The 1st picture was taken in late January. The crown (whether twisted or braided) has become one of my favorite protective styles. I have Jazz to thank for that one. The shorter hairstyle provided an opportunity for me to showcase the longer earrings, which I adore, but for whatever reason, haven't worn as frequently as I would like. This also is the final time I wore this tunic. I ordered it from Ashley Stewart a few years ago, but it encountered the same fate as some of my other articles of clothing, dropped weight to the point where it is obviously too big on me. It will be on its way to some lucky charity come 2022.
Honorable Mention
This picture was taken in early January. I did some experimentation with colors. I paired this Venus top with my Old Navy pants.
The pants were one of the first ones I purchased after Jazz pointed out that I dropped weight. Normally, I would have chosen a red or blue top, but noticed the small strip of yellow and decided to bring attention to that small detail.
I added the fuzzy shoes to bring out the hint of white that was next to the yellow stripes in the pants. Overall, I deem this mix-and-match a success.
February
The 2nd picture was taken in early February, a few days before my carpal tunnel surgery. It was one of those moments when I felt like taking impromptu pictures. I am thinking but not about anything heavy. I rediscovered my love for caps and hats, just have to size them down slightly, since the circumference of my head decreased by almost an inch.
No honorable mentions for this month. I believe this is around the time I stopped taking as many pictures. Primarily due to my right hand being in a cast for two weeks and focusing on in-home physical therapy. I do know that I was missing my routine of going to the gym A LOT.
March
The 3rd picture was in late March. I was slowly yet surely making my way back into the gym. The doctor told me that I could resume doing weights, albeit not too heavy, and to make sure I wore padded gloves as to not aggravate the hand. I also debuted my new glasses, since I decided to take care of some other medical appointments. I do miss wearing my contacts ... unless they have progressive contacts 🤔. No honorable mention for this month either.
April
The 4th picture was taken in late April. The crown via rainbow style. This might have been at the end of my workout. I felt accomplished, celebrating my progress and not obsessing over what I haven't been able to do. I am pleased with how well this particular headset lasted, since a few months later, it went to Tech Heaven.
Honorable Mention
I really like the green in the hair. It was something new and different. Enough said 😁.
May
The main think I like about the 5th picture was the puffs and how well the flower earrings meshed with my top. The top was a splurge purchase at CVS years back and I've been a fan ever since.
Honorable Mention
Jazz was undecided as to whether she was a fan of this wig, so I decided to try it on for size. I like the cut but am not fully sold on the color. At least that is what I've decided for now.
June
I was (and still am) absolutely in love with my rainbow wig in the 6th picture. I bought it in honor of Pride and got loads of compliments on it while I was out. There were several great pictures from this month but the rainbow wig stands out for me.
Honorable Mention
It was extremely tough to choose one picture to be a honorable mention, but settled on this picture for several reasons.
(1) It was my 1st time ever wearing this dress. Jazz and I had gone to a cafe to have some lunch and an older man walked up to me to comment on how beautiful I looked. Admittedly, this was a high anxiety day for me but I was working through it as best I could. The anxiety came from the situation with my breasts, discovering that a bra that worked for me a few months back was not adhering to my body properly (aka I was down a size), which added to my frustration over the excessive amount of loose skin.
(2) Once I returned, since the dress overall was comfortable, I wanted to focus on parts of my body that I was proud of. I was loving my arms so struck a pose.
July
There were lots of cool pictures for the 7th month. Finally settled on the simplicity of black and white plaid with a splash of red. It was one of my days where I had to be on site for the office.
Honorable Mention
I had to show off my Black Widow shirt. I hated that it came out so late but absolutely loved the movie. It was my first time going back to the movie theater in a very long time, since the AMC I traveled to the most couldn't bounce back when the pandemic arrived.
August
It was the elegance which led me to this selection for the 8th picture. I've become braver with lighter tones, in makeup and in clothing. I also like the three layers to the necklace, which is a trend that is growing on me. The lace duster from Venus was also new, and I'll be using it more come 2022.
Honorable Mention
Leaping into animal print was definitely my bravest and boldest move yet. Even my co-workers were taken aback. One person said that I was, paraphrasing, "letting my NJ out". Apparently, animal print is a NJ staple. I want to try zebra print but it's been a struggle finding pieces so far.
September
Is 44 the new 22? I don't know but I was on some powerful in purple vibes for the 9th picture. It was my 1st time wearing a dress that wasn't a flare dress.
Honorable Mention
As part of a belated birthday celebration, I was treated to lunch with friends. My first time wearing this top after purchasing it some time ago. It worked well with the jewelry and the steampunk leggings that I matched with it. I had loads of fun.
October
Due to so much travel (Florida in mid-September and Mississippi during the 1st half of October), I didn't do a Halloween costume for this year. However, I was on a royal type vibe in my October (10th) picture in a new dress.
Honorable Mention
This honorable mention was a toss-up between this picture and a few others. Honestly, I can't remember why my neck definition is so pronounced ... maybe I worked out earlier. I have been rocking headwraps more, so as not manipulate my hair as much. Plus, it's getting colder, and I want to protect my hair.
November
I love it when an entire look comes together seamlessly. The 11th photo was giving. I stumbled upon the big (and amazingly lightweight) earrings in a beauty supply store. The wrap I found on Amazon, deeply discounted.
Honorable Mention
I don't have much in the way of polka dots in my wardrobe. There was the long sleeved dress that I wore a few years ago (on a trip to MS, as a matter of fact), but I do plan on getting a replica, just one size down, since the other one is too big. This pink polka dot dress was one of my first purchases from Shein, and I really liked it. I paired it with pearls for a throwback look.
December
The 12th and final photo in the collage was taken recently. The cowl-neck sweater dress was a new addition to my wardrobe. It wasn't overly cold so I was able to wear it with some flannel-lined pantyhose and some knee high boots.
Honorable Mention
This newly purchased wig went perfectly with my cute Christmas hoodie (that I tried to pass off as an ugly sweater ... they didn't have any my size at the store) and matching leggings. Once I remove the yarn braids from my hair, I may opt to wear this more going into the New Year. We'll have to see what happens.
Thanks for joining me on this picture journey. See you in 2022.
Deuces!
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