The Lioness
When people picture a lion, they picture Mufasa’s mane. I picture Nala. Sarabi. Kiara.
The Lioness is resourceful, fiercely independent, and courageous.
She doesn’t confuse strength with domination. She survives through instinct, intelligence, and unwavering devotion to those she loves.
She is playful and loving. She is Loyal.
She doesn’t wait to be rescued or validated. She observes, adapts, protects, and moves forward with remarkable certainty. Her strength isn’t something she performs. It’s inherited- the way she was born to live.
A creature whose greatest strength isn’t dominance, but discernment—knowing when to be gentle, when to be ferocious, and having the wisdom to hold both at once. She leads through action, resilience and conviction. All with a gracefulness a ballerina could not compete with.
This is the relaxed confidence of the female lion.
Right around the time when Spring was rubbing up against Summer, I opened my inbox to another brand collaboration message and read:
We believe that everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin.
THE EXPERIENCE: Nuovo’s Self-Love Experience is more than a photoshoot. It is a guided unveiling, a moment to see yourself in a new light.
OUR STYLE Our style is rooted in creating a space of absolute safety and trust. We use tasteful, luxurious draping and artistic silhouettes to explore the elegance of your form. In this safe space, you have complete agency over what you choose to reveal, allowing your true strength to come forward.
I haven’t suddenly become fearless. I’ve become more trusting, more loyal to my heart than I have been to my inner critic. The one that knows growth has never waited for certainty.
I’m starting to follow the one that gently nudges me towards discomfort.
I’ve realized this experience had very little to do with being photographed.
It had everything to do with allowing myself to be seen. To show herself some respect.
At the time, it would have been easier politely decline but why would I deny myself a memory that one day I’ll look back on with tenderness?
The lioness wouldn’t.
So, take a look at the the photographs, courtesy of Nuovo Studios by clicking the button below.
I think we forget who we really are sometimes. I think we forget more often than not.
I like definitions. They help me remember what something really is.
Her description makes it easier for me to admire the most raw and innate version of myself. The one I know best.
Surely though, to admire her on paper is simple. Embodying her in real life is complex. Especially, when self doubt and fear of rejection become louder than gut intuition.
Vulnerability has a funny way of disguising itself as fear. I convince myself I’ll regret being seen, when likely, I’ll regret all the moments I hid. A trick of the brain.
It gave me pause. Why was I hesitant to accept an opportunity the lion me would prounce at? why was the roar stuck in the bottom of my throat?
This happens to me alot. Moments that should give me that energy to sprint powerful bursts through the savannah, but instead turn me into a hyper vigilant Doe. A Bambi- whose only instinct is to anticipate being eaten
It frustrates me that I am resistant to stepping up to the plate when all I have wanted was a chance to swing the bat my whole life.
Anxiety whispers that I was never meant to.
The lioness keeps walking, expecting me to follow.
I don’t want anxiety leading the hunt anymore. I want the lioness to decide where we go.
So I accepted the invitation.
