SFS Contest Picture of the Day Week 54

Hi steemit community

When I saw this contest, I smiled because sometimes,the best pictures aren't the most perfect ones, but the ones that hold the most memories. This is a throwback from my childhood,taken during our school's cultural day celebration,and honestly, this photo means a lot to me.

I remember that day like it was our school cultural day. I was dressed in my native attire,gele tied beautifully,beads around my neck, and that serious look on my face?😂 That was me trying to look like a "really adult." Back then, we didn't understand fashion or trends, but we understood pride, pride in our culture, in our heritage,in simply showing up and representing where we came from.

There was so much excitement in the air. The sound of drums,the laughter of other kids, the chants,the performance.. Everything felt magical. I didn't care if my clothes were tight or the gele was uncomfortable. I was proud. I felt seen.

Looking at this picture now, with all the scratches and age on it, I realize how time flies. Life had changed so much since then. Back then, there were no pressure of adulthood, no overthinking,no stress about the future. Just pure innocence and joy. We showed up, we danced, we laughed, and that was enough.

Now,as I grow and think about life, I hold on to these moments. They ground me. They remind me of who I am and where I started from. That little girl in the picture had dreams, and even when life gets tough now, I look back and remind myself. "You come a long way."

This picture may not be perfect in quality, but it's perfect to me because it holds my story.

And this is me now

Still rocking my native proudly, still that same girl with dreams in her heart, only wiser, stronger,and with more stories to tell.

From that little girl with the gele tied a little too tight to this young woman embarrassing her roots with confidence and joy, the journey hasn't been perfect, but it's been beautiful in its own way.

Growth doesn't always look loud, sometimes it looks like quiet confidence, like showing up even when it's hard like smiling through it all because you know where you started from.

This picture may be from today, but the spirit behind it started way back then in that little girl's heart.

Thank you for reading through my post!

Inviting @etoro @davidmarkgeorge @imohmitch