On Pont-Neuf, I ran into my former self

Carven dress (similar)
Christian Louboutin heels
Chanel handbag
Celine sunglasses
CC Lifestyles earrings (c/o)

It’s always a bit strange, to bump into your former self unexpectedly. We took these photos on a blustery day in Paris, on Pont-Neuf, the new bridge that is actually the oldest bridge in the city and, incidentally, also my favourite. And because I love it, we have taken photos there on almost every one of our visits to Paris. (My blog archives are, admittedly, in a shambles, otherwise, I would share some examples.) When I look at all the photos together, it’s like watching myself journey through time, changing and evolving as I go.

I have my former self on my mind because yesterday afternoon while putting away some old books, I found an envelope. It was just an old, purple envelope, worn at the corners, but inside were prints of long ago art pieces I made. Most of the originals are either framed at my parents’ house or long gone. It surprised me to see them again. I haven’t felt compelled to create visual art for a long time. So long, in fact, that I almost feel disconnected from the younger version of myself who produced art prolifically.

And yet, in those prints, there was a clear indication that the person I would become already existed. In even older works, I favoured bright colours. The colours in the prints I found were more muted – grey and black, with hints of deep purple and blush. Part of me believes that we cannot become who we want to be by remaining who we are. But I also think that we are always a little bit of who we were, even as we become who we are.

That’s certainly true of our Pont-Neuf photos, anyway. In the old ones, I am wearing pink. And red lipstick. I loved both of those things a lot when I was younger. Now, I can scarcely imagine wearing either. But I know that, despite her predilection for pretty, overtly feminine things, the younger version of me would have loved this look. (She probably wouldn’t have believed she could be so lucky to get to wear Christian Louboutin and Chanel at the same time, but she would have been over the moon about it.)

Growing up is a truly fascinating thing. And it never really ends. I can’t help but wonder what I’ll wear on Pont-Neuf a few years from now…