05.

Lauren.

Where were you at this time last year? How are things different now?

This time last year I was re-doing my room, now I am moving out and buying new furniture for a room I have not even met. I have always enjoyed the thrill of moving on and healing so heading into this new chapter makes me optimistic. There is so much love and happiness in my future, so it feels nice when things change.

Have your perspectives on certain issues changed/ do you think they will?

I grew up a very sunny child, somewhere near the end of 16 my perspective on life became a lot darker. A year and a bit later I am feeling like my 9 year old self again and I can’t believe she was in there the whole time. Life can be so beautiful, and I try hard to remember that.

What impact do you think your dreams have on your everyday life?

I dream too big for my boots and it affects me every day. There is a positive side to this where I feel hope, joy, and excitement about where my story will lead. However, there is also a negative side as I can catch myself being way to self-critical because I’m never as good as my dreams.

Have you found that social media plays a role in the way you see yourself?
Does it play an even bigger role now that it's one of the only ways to connect to the outside?

Social media is the cause of most of my issues currently. It evokes self- hatred and unwillingly I compare myself to girls who are prettier, have more success, and have more opportunities than me. Every time I open Instagram I get anxiety and I can barely use messenger. That said, Vine compilations provide all the joy the rest of the internet sucks out of me.

Do you ever outwardly express your internal feelings?
Where is it most easy for you to do this?

I love expressing how I feel with my hair and clothes. In television when a woman gets her hair cut (or dramatically cuts it off herself) it means she just went/is going through something. I cut my hair off yesterday and it feels so good to look how you feel.