Journeying Through Life and Adventure Boudoir

Life is a journey for me as a full-time traveler, and my boudoir experience has been no different.

For the past 3 years, I have lived and traveled the US full time in homes on wheels. I spent 2.5 years in a 30 foot RV before downsizing to a “skoolie” short bus this past March.

I absolutely love my life and wouldn’t change it for a thing. I get to experience so much by being able to be in different places and meet different people all the time. It’s always an adventure, and that comes with good and bad. But every experience is a chance for learning and growth. Whether positive or negative, anything can be used for good. It always fills me up and strengthens my faith in humanity seeing how many kind, helpful souls you come across while traveling. The people that you would least “expect” are often the first to lend a hand, even when they are struggling themselves.

There are endless offers of hot showers, food and water, spots to park, a tank of gas, or even just a smile and a hug. But, of course, not everyone shares this kind demeanor. There are negative experiences too - like getting the cops called on you for just existing (turns out some people have a huge problem looking at my bus parked in their neighborhoods, even when it’s perfectly legal to be parked there and I’m not even staying in it)

- but I look at all of these experiences as a chance to practice my own loving, soft nature.

These are opportunities to model how I want to move through and look at the world and to meet negativity with gentleness, compassion, and good humor. In turn, I get to put a little more kindness, love, and softness out into the world. I believe it ripples on and increases the amount there is overall, which is always what I am striving for and is the ultimate vision I’d like to see on this earth. 

Boudoir has mirrored my traveling experience in a lot of ways. I have now done shoots with Molly in the studio, outdoors, at a private home, seaside, in the woods, on a playa surrounded by mountains, in the rain, sun, and under the clouds, during the day and at night, and from coast-to-coast (Oregon to Florida) and in between (Illinois). Next up will be Colorado!

Every shoot has brought all of the emotions and been its own unique experience.

Each session has brought me so much healing and allowed me to see myself the way I envision myself in my mind reflected in my physical being, which I generally struggle to do otherwise. Like many humans, I have always struggled with my physical appearance and battled myself over how my face and body look.

Boudoir has reflected the parts of me I avoid back to me so beautifully that I have fallen in love with them. But not every image comes out that way. During reveals, I find myself anxiously awaiting both the intense, empowering love and awe I know I will feel looking at my favorite images alongside the struggle and discontent I know I will feel at some of the other images. And then I use them as an opportunity to tune back into that place inside of me and try to dig away at it a little more.

Molly thought this was beautiful, that’s why she took this picture and picked it to show to me. When I look at others’ images, I see only beauty, no matter the subject’s shape, size, facial expression, body position, etc. Even when they point out what they perceive as “flaws” or areas of discomfort, I see only the breathtaking human form and all of its glory.

I think of all my body does for me, and how I feel in it, and then I try to look back at it with the same eyes as I look at everyone else. And through this process, I grow and heal a little bit more.

I love some of the parts of me that I have felt sadness, guilt, shame, and/or have left unloved, a little bit more.

I let go of a little bit more of my negative emotions towards myself, become a little more free, and am able to be more authentically and fully me without the weight of shame, guilt, sadness, discomfort, or feeling like I have to hide parts of me away. I become a little more confident and able to share myself with others.

It’s not always easy - neither is traveling, there are always unexpected hiccups on the road - but it is ALWAYS worth it.

What I gain from boudoir and traveling is far more than what I go through along the way, and it’s that outcome that always keeps me going and recommending both to others. And it’s only the journey - going through both the good and the bad - that gets you to that outcome. 

Life isn’t easy. No one knows what we’re doing here. There’s no “right” way to do it. All we can do is keep working on what feels good, keep experiencing, growing, learning, and expanding, and I confidently can say that I’ve done that and will continue to do so as long as there is breath in my body.

I want to experience everything this life has to offer and learn whatever I can in my short time in this body on this earth. I’m so happy and grateful to be here, for all of it, and I can’t wait to see where my next adventures lead and how I evolve along the way (which, hopefully, can continue to be documented through boudoir!).

Inspired by Wolf’s share? Follow her on social media @_wandering.wolf.woman_

Did her story resonate with you or spark something new?! Leave a comment below!