As we think about returning back into society after the worst pandemic in 100 years, I’ve been thinking about what a unique opportunity lies before us. This has been a time of major change. You can probably relate to this: I know so many people who have made big life decisions and shuffled priorities to align more truly with their authentic selves during this time. Changing jobs, moving to new cities and starting families are just a few ways I’ve witnessed (from afar) those I love move into a new phase of life. The point is: we’ve all gone through changes. To me this is very clearly an outcome of survival, reflection and growth.

Listening to pop culture and social media, however, you might come to a different conclusion. Dropped the COVID-15? Waxed and Vaxxed? The overwhelming drumbeat of diet culture and body shaming make it easy to believe that somehow at the end of this extraordinary experience we have failed.

This is an absurd idea.

The me of 2021 is not lesser than or better than the me of 2019. I am a fundamentally different person. As I think about how to navigate my reacclimation to society, which could very much be a moment of deep anxiety, I am choosing a different approach. I have decided to use this moment not to measure or compare, but instead to honor the new me and reintroduce myself.

While this can be daunting, there is enormous power in setting our own narratives. I have a clearer understanding of who I am and what matters to me than ever before. I am proud of that. Why not embrace this moment and celebrate the ways we’ve changed, instead of succumbing to the idea that we must return to who we were before the pandemic? Honoring the experience, acknowledging my own growth, and sharing that with the ones I love has transformed this moment for me from one of anxiety to one of gratitude. Shifting from measurement, to ownership of my own narrative is the greatest act of self-care I can engage in at this moment.

So here goes. Allow me to reintroduce myself.

I am Nadia Boujarwah. I am a Latina-Arab-American, fashion-loving, doting aunt, passionate, optimist, entrepreneur on a mission to spark radical self-love through style. I believe community—and the friends and family that compose it—is the greatest source of resilience and inspiration in our lives. In the last year, I grieved the loss of my mother, built deeper relationships with my family, understood the depths of true friendship, met the love of my life, took better care of myself, worked tirelessly with a team I adore and fought for a community I am deeply committed to serving.

How will you reintroduce yourself? We’d love to hear your stories and celebrate with you the start of this new chapter.