In conversation with Niamh

As part of our latest campaign, we invited our followers to take part in a shoot for womanhood. As with all our campaigns, images are untouched.

We chat to Niamh about what womanhood means to her and the journey she has been on. 

"From tomboy to girly girl, to ladette to tomboy again to whatever I am now! I feel like it’s been a bit of a wild ride. My womanhood has evolved from forever caring what others think or don’t think or expect of me to solely caring about what makes me feel good. Choosing to be around people that bring me up and learning to trust myself and my instincts and not feeling guilty for making decisions that are right for me.

I feel like I am just getting to grips with my womanhood. I, like everyone still struggle at times with my body image and my voice but on the whole, I am happier than I have ever been in my own skin physically and I am just about learning to speak up too.

"I struggled with obesity and bullying for most of my childhood into my late teens (until I had the confidence to ask for help) I then lost 3 stone and dropped 3 dress sizes in a matter of months, which was initially an incredible boost for my confidence.  

Though this new skin took a long time for me to process emotionally and I carried my insecurities around body image into my adult life. I believed that relationships broke down or never happened because of my body, size, and image – I would punish myself with periods of not really eating or overeating or being incredibly hedonistic. 

It took a long time for me to rewire this thinking and it wasn’t until I fell in love with exercising at around 23 that I began to love my body for its function and strength rather than it’s aesthetic.  From here I learned that the best medicine for the mind is really listening to what your body wants and needs. Whether that’s rest, exercise, a salad or a pizza and not punishing yourself for your choices.

 I have moved from being literally ashamed to be photographed or only wearing super oversized clothes to mask my shape or only drinking diet coke for lunch to wearing whatever I like, eating whatever I like and exercising when I feel I need to. I am constantly learning to be grateful for my body that I am healthy and active and proud on the journey I’ve been on."

Niamh wears the Delilah bralette and high waist brief by Lonely