The #10YearChallenge is currently taking over social media. Celebrities and influencers alike are posting photos of themselves from 2009 and 2019, and needless to say, it's an interesting way to do a major throwback.
However, Kate Bosworth's take on the challenge is probably one of the best ones we've seen so far, and it's not because of the change in her looks. In fact, it's the Hollywood actress' Instagram caption that captured our attention. Instead of delving into her physical transformation, Kate offered a refreshing perspective on aging, which might very well be the most inspiring thing you'll read today.
Posting a new and a decade-old photo of herself side by side, she writes, "I have seen the 10 [year] challenge everywhere and it got me to thinking—what is the actual challenge? To look the same? Better? Different?"
"For me, it was to look back on a human in her 20s (left photo) wide-eyed, [and] living in a ton of fear because I felt no control over my life. I had neither the experience nor the tools to really understand myself. I started out in this industry at 14 years old—quite by accident. Anyone who follows me from middle school or high school will tell you—I was (and still am) a normal kid from a small town.
"But that girl on the left was not prepared for the wacky/cruel/overwhelming attention fame can bring, and I truly did not know how to process any of it. I internalized the fear, did not communicate much, and certainly did not voice my extreme vulnerability, as I felt it was a weakness."
"Regardless of the road traveled, the 20s can be weird and confusing. You are developing. This requires patience and self-care: both qualities I admittedly did not have at the time. I kind of barreled through the decade in an attempt to fake looking cool [and] confident (I wasn't) [and] feel less pain."
No longer in her 20s but in her late 30s, the actress says she's often asked about it by journalists, and here's her response: "How do I feel about evolving from fear and learning to live through love? AWESOME. Aware there are always growing pains in life, but what a miracle to be alive. The woman on the right [photo] feels grateful to create art in different ways, finds strength in vulnerability—and beyond anything else—she knows love is everything. Also, 'cool [and] confident' to me now is goofy, kind, and honest."
Kate wraps up the post with advice for those still in their 20s: "Go easy on your hearts now 20 [year] olds—you're not supposed to have it figured out. Find mentors, lean on those you trust who have more life experience. Thanks for this challenge, here's to the next 10. I hear the 40s are even better ;)"
See her original post below:
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