When Time Stood Still
Title: When Time Stood Still
Creator: Nicole Rieko Karrmann
Category: Time
Creator Commentary:
Personally, this photograph represents a moment in my life where time stood still and life crashed in upon me. It was a moment where I saw all I did, every single day, to cover up my face and make myself look like what I thought others wanted to see. I used makeup to camouflage myself- to create myself into an illusion of sorts- an illusion of perfection and happiness. It got to the point where I would rather be late to school than show up without makeup on. At its worst, I finally asked myself, “Why? Why do I exhaust myself making myself someone that I’m not? By putting on a false face?” The only person I truly deceived was myself. My attempts and efforts left me drained, hollow, and surrounded by fake friends. I had built myself a fantasy palace out of concealer and winged eyeliner, thinking that it would make me happier. But the only happiness I found was when I peeled off my “mask of deception,” so to speak, and embraced the truth and reality within me.
Submission:
Creator Bio:
The author is Nicole Rieko Karrmann, an aspiring actress and mediocre potato, born in Newport, California but raised in Dallas, Texas. She loves to read and get lost in fantasy worlds (as well as get far too attached to fictional characters…). But she also loves the experience of getting whisked away in other worlds through movies, television,… basically just escaping reality. She is passionate about her cat, Maui, and her best friend and sister, Taylor. If all goes well, Nicole plans to be an actress and adopt many kittens.