Erika Camacho.
[Part 9/10 of The Body Project]

I’ve been struggling with accepting the shape of my nose for a couple of years now. When I was little, I couldn’t have cared less; but as I started middle school, things started to change.  I started becoming more aware of my flaws as my classmates began to point them out and laugh at them. I didn’t know how to react, so I hid my insecurities and brokenness inside. I kept asking myself, “Why me? Why do I have to have this?” I began to believe I was ugly and that I couldn’t do anything about it. I even harbored jealousy for people with “perfect noses”, wishing that I could look like them. 

For the longest time, I hoped so much to get a nose job when I turned 18. I wanted it so bad that I’d pass up the opportunity to travel and see the world after graduation in order to get it. 

Freedom from this mindset found me one day at church, where the topic was about how we need to stop focusing on our flaws in the mirror, and instead focus on what God sees in us. 

To see what He sees. 

After that message, I was moved to pray about it, to ask God to help me focus on the beauty He sees in me instead of the flaws I see. I still struggle with this today, but thankfully, praying to God every night has helped in so many ways. He is helping me to see myself in a new light, and to become more confident day by day. Talking to Him about my struggles has not only helped me with my self-esteem, but also with my relationship with Christ. 

I know God has a beautiful plan for me. 

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These photos help to display the struggles that Erika faced with body image, what she looks like without and with make-up, and the cleansing of her insecurities. 

For more information on Erika’s story, or The Body Project, please contact me at KathleenSayer@gmail.com