💕 Building Confidence to Live a Fuller Life 💕

Self-doubt and insecurity ruled the first two decades of my life—no exaggeration. People saw me as quiet and shy, but in reality, I was paralyzed by fear—fear of speaking up, fear of trying, fear of what others thought. Every decision was dictated by the fear of looking ugly or fat, sounding stupid, or being judged. I felt inadequate in every way possible and missed out on so many experiences—so much LIFE. 

Thankfully, through the path of natural growth, learning, and a deeper understanding of humanity—little by little, over time, I have overcome much of that fear. 

The first time I truly recognized this shift was right after the birth of my first child. Let’s be real—there’s not much dignity left after screaming in pain while a group of strangers watches you push a human into the world. That experience immediately stripped away some of my self-consciousness. 

And then, having to be an ongoing caregiver and advocate for my children's needs and wellbeing, I had to push through whatever personal feelings I was having and do whatever was needed.

I remember a few other defining moments. A close friend once challenged me with the idea of “being my own best friend”—to make myself happy and not worry about what anyone else thinks. 

A therapist once responded to one of my fear-driven statements with, “Okay, so you’re scared. You’ve been scared before and…you’re fine!” It was a lightbulb moment—it’s ok to feel the fear, but it doesn’t have to stop me from living.

Honestly, I could write a book on this journey (and I’m still on this journey!), but the bottom line is: We all face fear, insecurity, and self-doubt—maybe in different ways or at different times, but it’s always there. And it’s ok, sometimes fear is good and keeps us safe. But mostly, I think it keeps us from feeling ALIVE. And that is not something I’m willing to sacrifice any more in my life. Unless it’s public speaking, I have not slayed that beast…yet.

If you're feeling like you don’t measure up or that parts of your body aren't “right,” remember that these thoughts don’t define your worth as a human being and they may be holding you back from living a vibrant and full life. 

Your true value comes from what you do and who you are as a person. Challenge those negative thoughts, and remember that you’re your own harshest critic. Because you are already loved by so many, for who you are, right now.