Note To Self II

By: Wonuola Lawal

Note to Self is a self-portrait series captured on 35mm film. It’s about a woman writing notes to herself in order to keep track of the lessons she’s learning as she goes through life. 

Note To Self:

Speak up!

You will no longer displease yourself to please others.

Allow the tears to fall. It isn’t a sign of weakness to admit that you can’t keep it all together.

Two things:

1. God will always have your back.
2. Never feel unworthy of returning to Him.

Promise yourself not to get lost in a heart that is not yours in the journey of loving another.

Note To Self:

Don’t underestimate the beauty of friendship between women.

Learning each other’s flaws and adapting to them,
Having arguments and learning from them,
It’s exactly like a romantic relationship, only better.

Note To Self:

Love isn’t silence as your partner’s words tear apart your soul
Or as their fist breaks your skin.

Love is meant to do many things
But it isn’t meant to cripple you,
If it does, use your feet as wings for when running gets too hard and you are weary.

11 Comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

Jeuelle
2. August 2017 at 17:38

clean, simple truths and beautiful imagery. thanks for the inspiration and the encouragement, sister.

Sheena Steward
2. August 2017 at 17:46

I love this idea! This was great advice. Self love is important just like female friendships. As you said love is a lot of things but it’s not crippling.

Karen Akpan
2. August 2017 at 18:25

” Allow the tears to fall. It isn’t a sign of weakness to admit that you can’t keep it all together” That Statement right there was everything. I firmly and steongkt believe that. Sometimes I just need to let it out. Sometimes I just need to let someone know that I need help.

LaShawn
3. August 2017 at 12:10

I really want to start shooting film! I’ve never tried. Love this project

Kim
3. August 2017 at 23:44

The images you used to convey this story matched perfectly and could have told the story on its own. Thanks for sharing.

Eva
4. August 2017 at 1:38

I haven’t taken photos with film in ages. I used to love it so much, even if it was just dropping it off to get developed, not developing it myself. There is a depth to it that I haven’t managed to capture using a DSLR.

Kita
4. August 2017 at 2:04

I am so here for the note to self. I truly had to learn this over the last few years and now that I am living for me, I am so much happier.

Bree
4. August 2017 at 12:39

I love this. Slowing yourself to cry and not underestimation the power of friendship between women is key for me. Thanks for sharing.

Bree
4. August 2017 at 12:39

I love this. Slowing yourself to cry and not underestimation the power of friendship between women is key for me. Thanks for sharing.

Mimi Green
4. August 2017 at 16:36

I love the inspirational words written by black and brown girls. Nobody can tell our story like we can.

Courtney CJ
4. August 2017 at 18:16

Beautiful reminders. Especially the sentiments about letting the tears fall. I have had an extremely difficult week and while listening to Therapy for Black Girls podcast, she reminded me that sometimes you’ve just gotta feel the feels and then move on later.

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