Your Stories - Melissa

Content Warning: These stories contain mentions of body dysmorphia, body image struggles, pregnancy loss, fertility struggles and gendered violence. If you find any of the below triggering, please find a list of helpful and free resources below:

DV/SV: 1800 RESPECT

Mental Health: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues: Butterfly Foundation 1800 ED HOPE

Melissa is the most lovable soul and has imprinted deeply on us. She applied for our Model call because she has finally come to terms with the fact that she’s mega sxy, but needed that extra evidence to validate herself. Like so many, she has a tricky relationship with the mirror. She describes it perfectly as her brain struggling with object permanence. She can feel sxy and powerful all day long and then get momentarily ambushed by a reflection that doesn’t quite line up with how it feels inside. 

Our brains love to tell us the craziest things when we look in the mirror, it’s often the things that are deep conditioned insecurities that we’ll search for instead of zooming out and seeing the whole picture. 

At one point she spotted the Noodscape in the background and paused. “Wait… there are women who look like me.” She smiled. “They are so beautiful. Maybe I could do something like that”. 😍

Everything about Melissa’s viewing was one for the memory books. She came in nervous and was very sure she wouldn’t like any images. The first time seeing her gallery she stopped at a particular image and asked “do people ever not like any of their photos?” and I said, I promise you this will change and this will end up being your favourite one. 

She initially saw all the things in herself she was scared to see, that she was conditioned to look for. I assured her that the more we go through, her brain will start to change. She had already done the work on herself, I knew she could do this too. And it really did. A few rounds in she remarked 'ahh what's happening to my brain! I HATED that photo at first and when it came up now I think "omg look at that beautiful cherub". And yes, that image did end up being her favourite (one of many). 

We are so excited for when Melissa joins the next Nood Shoot