"I'm 33 and it's taken me too long to love this body. I've been an extra in the background of the lives of more acceptable bodies. I've looked at myself in the mirror and felt pride at the size of my hips, the round of my belly, the deep V between my thighs that screams desire but never allowed myself that pride outside of those vain moments.

When I was 18 my mother gave me the beads that I wear, this is the practice of my (her) tribe. A welcome into womanhood. The more I embrace the femininity that is specific to me the more I realise that those moments in front of the mirror naked should be with me always."