Cut the tags out- knowing your self worth as a woman and not a number

A couple days ago I stumbled across this post on my facebook newsfeed, which I quickly shared to my personal page. 

Found on facebook- original source unknown

I paired it with my thoughts that were similar to "this is really stupid for a lot of reasons." Mostly because I felt as though this chart was completely unrealistic on every level. 

I got A LOT of feedback. 

Things like-

"And what the hell were they thinking when they added ZERO as a size? Are we supposed to aim for invisibility?!"

" ...Even at a size 12 I never had the flat tummy that this image shows. But, I also know my worth and it has nothing to do with my pants size nor the number on the scale. ...I've struggled with my body image for years until I realized I was more than just a body. I'm witty, well read, an amazing cook/baker and driven woman which is something a number on a label or scale is never going to say."

and lastly-

"Cut the tags out..."

And then it hit me.  We, as a society, as women, as individuals need to cut the tags out. 

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So I ask you- When you're no longer a number, what are you?
I want you ALL to answer that question in the comments below for me. 
Because you owe it to yourself to know, to maybe brag a little, be proud, and most importantly, let other women know you're living outside the number society has pinned on you, and they can too. 

Who are you when you cut the tags out?

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I'll start...

When I cut the tags out I'm left with being an artist. I frequently live my life dirty. Paint, dirt, dust, grease, sawdust...  I'm an explorer, a writer, a builder, and a damn hard worker. I will keep up with the boys. I will drink beer with the boys. I will shop with the girls but I refuse to get my nails done because they will end up destroyed at soon as I get home. I have a farmer's tan and yes I own a baby tractor. My closet consists mostly of super cheap clothes because I don't understand name brands. My hairdresser informed me that my husband and I have the same haircut, and I'm ok with that, because my hubby is super hot, so maybe that makes me super hot too. I have no clue how to be sexy, it makes me uncomfortable and giggly. I'm confident because my mom taught me to be proud of who I am and urged me to be different. And that had nothing to do with tags. Cut them out. 

And as I said before in The Revolution about societies standards on women ...

Fuck your beauty standards

Port Huron, Michigan Photographer specializing in the beauty of women- ajbc photography

The Pillow and The Pond- Fine Art + Short Film by Port Huron, MI Photographer- ajbc photography

I've been told, "Go to The Pond, that is where you'll find your dreams." 
Dreams full of color, and dreams full of life, where everything has meaning. 

I never dream in color so it's hard to imagine where this journey might take me. 
What will I see and how will I feel? I can't imagine the awakening. 

So I set out on a path full of ferns and full of fantasy. 
But that trip is stopped short when I see a pillow longing for me. 

It tells me, "Don't go to the Pond, stay here with me.
Rest your head on my pure white sheet."
All those things you travel to see, 
You can see them here with me."

I close my eyes and know where I'll go. To the dreamland that's never exciting. 
For everything I've ever found there was meaningless, but maybe, just maybe, it's been hiding.

My mind goes blank and I feel like I'm spinning. The earth shifts from green to gold. 
And I can't help but wonder if I'm dreaming. This goes against everything I've been told.

"Go to The Pond,' they said. But what about The Pillow?
These ups and these downs. I can feel it now. 
My body has been planted on the ground. 

Don't open your eyes. You know not where you are. 
And surely this isn't right. 
You've tossed and turned, and the sky has reversed.
Is it morning or is it night?

Something is cool, was there mud under The Pillow?
I crack my eyes and can not believe what I see in my palm. 
For behold, I'm at The Pond.

The colors. The life. The meaning I am feeling. 
There's no way I am dreaming. 

I can feel the water on my face. 
I absolutely know I am 100% present in this place. 

But wait, I'm feeling so dizzy, I better sit down. 

I'll rest upon the water, watch my hands release smoke. 

But right before I float, I get an overwhelming feeling that I may choke. 
Or drown. Or never resurface to feel my feet upon the ground. 
I inhale and exhale and soon I can see.

The Pillow that I so trusted, he tricked me. 

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Watch The Pillow and The Pond short film (with your volume up or it's NOT the same):

Uploaded by Autumn Carufel on 2015-07-23.

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I consider this more "Dark Beauty," which I adore! Check out the first time Taylor and I ever shot together when she modeled for me at my first dark beauty shoot ever!

The Pillow and The pond Inspired me to create "Floating Through the Veil" for Halloween.

And exactly 1 year later we shot "The Burning Shack Short Film and Burning Shack Trailer together!

Check out the full beauty gallery here!

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Abstract depiction of Sia's- Chandelier by Port Huron Artist AJBC Photography

Party girls don't get hurt
Can't feel anything, when will I learn
I push it down, push it down

I'm the one "for a good time call"
Phone's blowin' up, they're ringin' my doorbell
I feel the love, feel the love

1,2,3 1,2,3 drink
1,2,3 1,2,3 drink
1,2,3 1,2,3 drink

Throw 'em back, 'til I lose count

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier

But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes

Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cos I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cos I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight

Sun is up, I'm a mess
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame

1,2,3 1,2,3 drink
1,2,3 1,2,3 drink
1,2,3 1,2,3 drink

throw 'em back, 'til I loose count

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier

I'm just holding on for tonight

based on the Chandelier video by Sia 

SUBSCRIBE to Sia: http://bit.ly/1sudphS The official director's cut for the 4 time Grammy nominated hit "Chandelier" directed by Sia and Daniel Askill, featuring Maddie Ziegler. Download "Chandelier" on iTunes http://smarturl.it/SiaChandelier New album "1000 Forms of Fear" out now!

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As ridiculous as this series appears, I love it. I personally don't use alcohol to cope with life, and I don't find myself depressed (regardless of if my art makes me look like a hot mess, haha!) but I can imagine the haziness depicted in these images is what that would feel like. 
I urge you to watch the video to make sense of all this. I enjoyed this song but was totally blown away by the video. So simple yet so powerful. And Maddie Ziegler is downright brilliant! 
I chose to do this series out of focus because you don't need my face to understand what the individual might be going through. You just need the movement. Of course I had to play up the hair, because that IS Sia. That's all Sia is, which is even more cool. Which brings me back again to- It's not about the artist or the specific person, it's about the story. 

taking off the mask- port huron, michigan artistic beauty photographer

The mask. 
That mask that will ensure happiness for others and perfection on your part. That beautiful mask that makes everyone smile. That mask that keeps you safe. 

That mask also keeps you barely breathing and clouds your vision.

"Pose with that mask, my little bunny. You wear it so well," they say. 

Until one day you peal back the corner. You dare to breath easy. You see the ground you walk upon, for real, for the first time. And you can't stop. 

You feel that cool air hit your face and you wonder.... 

"What have I done?"
The light, it's bright. The noises, they are loud. 
And that feeling of safety is gone. 

Time to turn back. Time to ensure no one will ever have to know you tried to go against them. Time to make them happy again. Them.... Happy.... 

But. The colors. They are so bright. And you feel so alive. 
And them, and you, and them and you, and what about.... you? And your happiness? 
How could they keep you trapped like this? 
Ask them.
"How could you?"
And I ask you, to ask yourself, "How could you?"
You wore that mask like they asked you to. 
Shame on you. 

I say drop it. 
I ask you to let it all go. 

Breathe. Live. Look. Feel. 
And burn the mask. 
 

You wear that face of yours so well. 

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Want to be a part of the revolution? Good. Me too.