Meet beautiful Michelle, another participant in the 40 over 40 campaign. Michelle decided that, after years of watching her friends have beautiful photoshoots for their weddings, newborns etc, it was time for her to focus on celebrating her. And just a note her – this lady is super frikken awesome! She has a whole ton to celebrate about herself! But Michelle has found herself on a journey to finding herself in this world, and when she saw this 40 over 40 campaign, she thought it would be a good way celebrate herself.
But let’s hear more from Michelle and why she decided to partake in this campaign. And let's learn more about who she is!
What drew you to this 40 over 40 campaign?
The last five years have been overwhelming and in the chaos I lost myself. I was taking a walk in the park, while feeling lost in my thoughts, I looked up and there were the shadows of all the trees with one little spot of sunshine with my shadow caught perfectly in the middle. I had sudden thought that the girl that had been lost in shadows for too long was trying to come out into the sunshine. And, as if it was written in the stars, the very next day this campaign came up as a suggested post on my social media. It just felt right.
If you could go back and tell your 20 year old self something that you think would change your life, what would it be?
Stop being so afraid, relax into yourself. Try not to overthink everything. Most of the time, all the things you worried about never materialised.
Rest is also important.
What are you most proud of yourself for?
In terms of solid achievements, I’d have to say completing Comrades. Being the most non-athletic child to discovering running in my thirties. My goal was to run a 10km and a few years later, using every ounce of determination in me, I crossed that Comrades finish line having just had the most fabulous day out on the road. But, honestly, I think I’m most proud of the way I have been able to nurture and mentor bright young minds and being able to watch my mentees shine as they reach for their goals.
What are some goals or things you still want to do?
My absolute bucket list item is to trek the gorillas. To feel alive climbing mountains and chasing waterfalls.
“The most fortunate are those who have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy.”
Has there/is there anyone in your life who has made a massive impact, if so, how?
There are so many I can’t name them all. Each one of my family members and friends have impacted my life. But if I have to choose just one, I would have to mention my granny. She taught me that aging doesn’t mean you have to get old. She was fit and bright eyed and full of wonder. And I truly hope to follow her example of staying active and social and never getting tired of the wonders of nature.
My friends and family describe me as:
Adventurous, kind, loving
Thoughts on aging?
Aging brings self confidence. I’m no longer hyper aware of what I think others think of me.
What do you think some of your best qualities are?
Finding beauty in the small things.
What advice do you have for other women 40+ out there?
Find awe. Whether it’s something small like a colourful flower or vast like a sky full of stars.
Behind the Scenes on Michelle's 40 over 40 portrait session
Tamryn is a Johannesburg based international award winning photographer who specialises in personal branding portraits. Her passion lies in helping educate and empower business owners to the value of portraits and showing their faces online. And she helps them do this with confidence by guiding business owners through the most empowering, intentional and fun portrait sessions.
Her favourite clients are those who have never seen an incredible portrait of themselves. Or those who hate being photographed and protest that they are not photogenic.
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