Growth

I have been mulling this over all week, convinced that I would hit on some inspiration. Instead, I hit the scales and realised I really have to get back to doing something about this unwelcome growth.

Of course, when I was young, growth was welcome, congratulated upon, sought after. Once I had acquired my size 8 feet and my 5ft and 8 inches, growth was something to be fought against, frowned upon and fretted over - and from thereon, the scales were to rise and fall like the tide.

I'm reflecting on how throughout my teenage years, I was convinced that my body mass was so disproportionally distributed that I wondered how I had the nerve to go out in public. I look back on photos of those days now, and wonder why on earth I thought I had a problem.

So here it is, my entry for this week's self portrait on growth, which also happens to fit the 5 + 2 for the love of selfies challenge this week - reflect.

[Maggiemae]

Well done! The face and the thought! Relax, don't use the scales - think about happiness - you live longer!

[marie]

Hahaha, what a funny idea!

[Caroline]

Haha oh this is a great interpretation Helen! Your expression is too much! :) :)

[Suzanne]

I love your take on this Helen, I know the feelings well too. Clever watch face face, it made me chuckle.

[Babs]

So clever what a brilliant shot, it tells a story.

[Saxa van Eijnsbergen]

Great story, the things we worry about when we're young 😊

[Kathy A]

Great narrative, clever photo!

[Kahsia]

This is such an interesting interpretation of the growth challenge. Instant fav!

[Jodie]

This is so clever

[~*~ Jo ~*~]

Fav! idea and image - neat!

[Gayle]

Oh, my goodness! I found this photo quite hilarious, probably because I can identify so closely with it. I just love the look on your face looking down at the scale plus the look on your watch face. Terrific idea for both your challenges and well done! :-)

[Domenico Dodaro]

Ha! so cool and... a great twofer (but I like more the 5+2 side of it!)

[HelenM]

Very clever but I also found the shot very spooky.

[Francoise]

Ha ha ha. I had envisioned a shot of my less than willowy waist, but my husband didn't think out would be a good idea and i was rather pleased to be rescued from this idea. This version keeps it discreet and really gets the emotion

[Catherine Otley]

A facial expression most of us will recognise! Very clever idea!

[Stephanie]

Oh this is very clever Helen! I thought about weight and doing something weird and distortive with my body, but the amount of work involved for it was just beyond me.

[Stephanie]

Oh I just noticed your watch has your face on it too! What a neat idea...like we all age as time goes by...etc.

[Megan]

Haha. This is a great shot!

[Jerome]

funny shot and clever idea

[Ann H. LeFevre]

What a crazy fun shot! You are so brave- I would never do this- but I along with many others know exactly how you feel and could easily substitute our faces upon yours (and even the watch!).

[Helen Jane]

@maggiemae @toinette @kerosene @suzanne234 @onewing @overalvandaan @kjarn @moonmtn @jodies @ziggy77 @gaylewood @domenicododaro @helenm2016 @francoise @redandwhite @stephanies @ludgate @jerome @olivetreeann

I feel like I have really exposed myself in public now! All in the name of a challenge. Thank you everyone who took the time to comment, I am glad to have amused some of you at least. These selfie challenges are stretching me to the limit!

[Sheralee S]

Great writing Helen... I'm hearing everything you've said! Clever depiction.