Siobhán
Age:
56
Occupation:
Nurse, Midwife, Health & Wellness Coach, Reflexologist
Why did you say yes to this experience?
As a woman, I have been hard on myself and I have had to do a lot of work on self-love and putting myself first. I said yes to this experience because I deserve to be pampered, look beautiful and have fun! Also because I want to be an inspiration to women who have insecurities about aging because of the anti-aging culture we live in. The beauty industry is dependent on us feeling highly uncomfortable with the aging process, much less embracing it!!
Tell me a little about you and your story:
I got married at a young age, and am the mother of 4 young adults. My marriage ended some years ago. I enjoyed the experience of being single and am now enjoying being in a relationship while maintaining my freedom and independence. My journey of self-discovery began more than a decade ago when I left my comfort zone and evaluated my life. I have made many changes, big and small, that have led me to where I am now. I discovered Salsa, open sea swimming and stand up paddleboarding and I went back to education to train as a Health & Wellness Coach.
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
I see a woman with courage. The courage it takes to grow into a life of learning, change and growth, and the courage it took to leave a marriage and to find myself after having been lost in a relationship. A woman with the courage it took to try again and the confidence to always be myself.
Describe yourself in 3 words:
Courageous. Inspirational. Self-motivated.
Do you feel like you have changed since turning 50?
Yes, most definitely! I am on a personal growth journey that has brought changes to all aspects of my life. Now, in my fifties, I feel more beautiful, confident, healthy and vibrant than I ever did in my youth. The following quote by author Anaïs Nin has been an inspiration to me
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”
What advice would you give to your younger self about caring for yourself?
When I was younger I thought self-care meant looking after myself physically and I felt guilty and selfish for making time for ME. I would advise my younger self to take the opportunity to find the balance with mind, body and spirit because I now know that self-care also involves caring for my mental and emotional wellbeing so that I am better able to cope with the stressors of daily life. As a coach, I help my clients set goals to transform their lives, one step at a time.
What do you consider self-love?
I forgive myself
I practice saying NO
I practice gratitude for the good things in my life
I let go of negative self-talk
I put a minimum of 30 minutes aside to do something I love every day
I choose foods that love me back
What do you love most about your new portraits? Is there something new you discovered about yourself?
When I first saw my portraits I saw the sensual side of me that I had been out of touch with for a long while. I saw the vibrancy that has come alive, that girl, now a grown woman, fearless and unstoppable. There was a time when I didn’t think I was strong enough to turn my life around, but self love has given me the power to change my life for the better.
What was your favourite part of working with me?
Olga is a pleasure to work with and I always enjoy her company. She is strong, confident and relaxed to be around. On the day of the shoot, I arrived feeling anxious, stressed and in pain due to a recent injury. Her studio felt like a haven from the outside world, where I could park the stresses of life at the door as I came in. Olga’s welcome was so warm and enthusiastic, I immediately began to unwind and relax, to allow my ‘Diva’ side out to play and enjoy the experience of being pampered. With her expert guidance, I felt confident and comfortable throughout the session and I walked away feeling ‘on top of the world’. Thank you Olga, for giving me the experience of a lifetime
