Sometimes I find that I beat myself up for having emotions. By nature, I am a pretty steady person. My emotions hardly ever fluctuate and it takes a lot for me to get upset or offended. When I do get emotional I hate myself for being so silly, but this shoot made me realize that woman's emotions are a beautiful thing. I wanted to be full of emotion because emotions are tied to femininity.
Women have the capability to feel things deeply. Our femininity allows us to have the capacity to mother children, to love and follow our husbands, to hurt when they hurt...to feel what they feel. Our emotions help bind us so tightly to the ones we love that little can break those ties. It is powerful. It's not a bad thing; it's beautiful.
I would say that I am a "girly girl", but I always equated that with dresses and curls. I realize now that I've been leaving out an important part of femininity. My emotions shouldn't be pushed down inside me when they start to arise. Feeling isn't bad. I may need to control them, but I don't need to make sure they don't come out at all.
I think that being job-less for the past few weeks has helped me realize this. I am a very determined and go-getter type of person. I like my own independence. I feel bad sometimes for having to depend on my husband for everything and suddenly becoming a full-time homemaker has been an adjustment to say the least.
Through this journey I've become a bit more emotional (and by that I mean maybe crying twice! Ha!). One day I told Jonathan that I was so mad that I was feeling all of these things and He said, "That's how your'e made Jen. God gave you emotions." Now, I see that my emotions are closely tied to my femininity. I am happy now to feel. I love making our home a safe and relaxing place for our little family. My emotions tie me these things and I am glad. God made women this way for a reason! I just never saw the benefit of that reason until now!
Have you ever hated your emotions or femininity before?
PS: You can find more of the photos from this shoot on my facebook page and photography blog!
36 comments:
I agree... sometimes I just get plain tired of my emotions! I guess that's where self-control comes in -- but it's hard when all you want to do is cry! ;)
GORGEOUS photos! I love your photography. This shoot really is Pride & Prejudice-esque, and I'm absolutely loving it. Beautiful! :)
♥ Kailyn
Love this post... I've definitely had moments where I feel really silly for feeling too much or showing too much emotion. You're right though, it's part of who we are!
Beautiful photos :)
Great post! I also LOVE the pictures ! You have a true talent! I also have a couple questions: What kind of camera do you have , and what lens is your favorite? Thanks!
Stunning. What lovely photos!
Beautiful thoughts to accompany those gorgeous photos! What a lovely and true post, Jennifer! I love it!
Wow that first picture could be in a magazine. DEFINITELY very feminine. Excellent job!
- Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com/
You and your sis are so beautiful ♥ Thank you for this post. Our emotions as women ARE beautiful and make us who we are!
I love the 3rd. absolutely gorgeous.
I used to be the same way. Have you ever read Captivating? It can be cheesy, but it touches on this subject a lot, and it made a big impact on me when I was younger and read it. God made women for a purpose, and our emotions are beautiful! Good for you for noticing that.
Oh you are so right! Women were blessed with these emotions for a reason... With out us (and our emotions) this world just wouldn't be able to function correctly! Even though I feel at times that my emotions aren't functioning correctly :)
These pictures are so breath taking! You did an amazing job!
Greatttt pictures! What kind of lens do you use?
♥Janette, the Jongleur
Culture teaches us to hide emotions. It tells us that emotions are not appropriate in school, in the workplace, in public paces, etc. etc. etc. So, it makes since that we get mad at ourselves when we feel that our emotions have crossed the bounds of what we've been taught is culturally appropriate.
It's not right, certainly. But I think it's a reality that MANY women struggle with.
Beautiful post, photos and model! :)
Apparently, I have no trouble with my femininity. (Hello, emotions! Ha!)
Sophisticated Steps
Jen i loved this post and I really needed it today. i have felt bad about my emotional side as a woman. unlike you, ive struggle with fluctuating emotions and that can be tough to deal with but you are right learning to appreciate that part of us as how God has intended us to be is great start to getting better in that department. well as long as my emotions never depend on nothing else but him... thanks again! lovely photos by the way.
Thank you for posting this,I really needed to hear it today!
Yup, I used to hate my emotions, hiding them so no one saw anything only to have it wreak havoc on me, but now they're like a bubbling brook. They spill out freely and sometimes, its hard to reign them in.
I love the tall grass shots. Very pretty.
Emily w/Amazing Grapes
I was JUST talking about this with a friend in a car today! So of course, I loved this post.
And gorgeous photos! You have a gift dearie.
I love these photos...they are gorgeous! And I love your perspective on women and our emotional side. It can be a good thing in moderation.
you're lucky that you don't get easily upset or offended!! I definitely have a much lighter shell for those sort of things ;)
first of all: i love these photos!
second of all: i know exactly what you mean. my family is not very emotional by nature - or, at least, if we are, we don't show it - and i was raised with the idea of crying as weakness. in general, i know it's not and when others cry i don't consider them weak. but to this day, i hate it when i cry and still consider it weakness. i don't like that i do, though, because i know that's not the case.
Your sister is gorgeous!!!
I always love reading what you write - it's so helpful and encouraging! :)
I so know what you mean! I am en emotional girl!!! I cry ALOT...but I hate myself for it. Need to ask the Lord to embrace my femininity but also make me strong and stable ;) Beautiful photos too!
This is so good. I'm so "mental" all the time. Sometimes I just need to be in the moment, embrace what and how I'm feeling and just let it go. I 100% relate to you. So good, girl!
Wow. These photos are gorgeous! I love the second one. You are amazing! And I am a very emotional person. I cry a lot. For me it seems to be the best way to get out how I am feeling.
These photos are breathtaking! You definitely have a career in photography.
wow i've never thought of that before. thank you for that!
I don't think that controlling your emotions means supressing them all the time. Sometimes that can mean your emotions are out of control through fear of expressing them - "once the floodgates open", for example! I've always encouraged tears - there's a wonderful healing quality in them. Sometimes they simply remind you that we're human and we hurt. And, you know what, that's OK. :)
beautiful pictures!
and I just recently learned this lesson. It isn't wrong unless it isn't GOds. Always have to give them over to Him. Not get rid of them but submit them to Him and seek His guidance, self-control and grace on what your heart is pouring out.
Love this!
♥cheche
Hmm, these are good thoughts, and I think you are right when you say that it's okay to feel things, as long as we can control them when our emotions are not coming from a godly reaction! I used to hate to cry in front of people, but I think since "growing up", I've become more comfortable showing people when I'm happy or touched with my tears. Pregnancy will do that to you, for sure! I cried more times in front of people (for happy reasons or sympathetic tears) when I was pregnant than in my entire life!
Beautiful pictures, and beautiful post. I needed the reminder that emotions and femininity are God given, and are meant to bring Him glory!
That is SO true! And I love being a beautiful woman and Gods princess! :)
This is beautiful -- thank you so much for sharing! xo
Oh my goodness, these pictures are 100% flawless! That first one is just so stunning! You are so talented friend!
First, thank you for your sweet comment on my blog :) I have now gone through your blog and LOVED reading about your life and looking at your photography. You are very talented!!!
I can relate your feelings of emotions and femininity, I love reading about how women and men are wired and how women are wired by God to think with their hearts and feelings. Makes me feel better when I have my occasional break downs ;) Have you ever read the book "Captivating" by Stasi Eldredge? It talks all about femininity and helps you understand why God made us the way we are. It's def a good read! :)
I read it a long time ago! Maybe I should re-read! Hehe :)
I'll be honest...as the song says: "I enjoy being a girl." Even the not so great parts...all you can do is embrace what God has given you and SMILE. :)
These photographs are FLAWLESS! Good job, girl!
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