I will not stress this enough, there is only one you so why don’t you think you’re all that? When you are in fact all that.

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I want to start by saying there is nothing wrong with insecurity that naturally occurs because we’re all human and will all experience good and bad days in the context of self-esteem. With that being said, I understand when we were in the middle of a pandemic, nothing funny about that, but through this time with myself, I’m starting to understand the real pandemic besides the one that we’re going through is low self-esteem. I’ve passed up so many opportunities, relationships and have been holding myself back due to me not believing I was good enough for that when that, in fact, was never true. So I will always stress before pouring into other people’s self-esteem, you need to do it for yourself, first and foremost.

At this current point in time, the world has literally ended about 3 times between this virus, race war, and 2nd recession on its way; if there is any time to make sure you're ready for the world to open back, it’s now. As 20 something, it’s effortless for me to feel life is constantly falling apart and set ablaze due to external circumstances. Still, in those burdensome moments I fall into, I need to make sure I take accountability and pull myself out of it. When it comes to self-esteem, I feel like it’s always been pretty high, but even I have my days where I feel boo boo, even though shit is the furthest thing from who I am.

If you’re between the ages of 15 and 30, it’s tough to be confident in being yourself. It is not going to lie; it really is the society we live in that teaches us not to make other people feel threatened by reaching our full potential. We tend to shrink ourselves in the presence of others, especially in romantic and social situations. But I’m here to tell you that beyond unnecessary. It would be best if you didn’t have to shrink who you are and what you do to fit someone’s idea of who they “think” you are. It’s ok to fall victim to that, but it’s a choice to stay in that position. When I see this generation of teens and young adults, I really see people riddle with insecurity. I genuinely feel the only to get rid of crippling insecurity is to focus on yourself for yourself.

When I say focus on yourself, that’s exactly what I mean. Focus on yourself and decide for yourself that you are a dime and adjust yourself accordingly; it takes about 21 days to break a habit, so why not start now. If you need professional help, aka a therapist, get that help. I don’t care what anyone says once you make the decision, you're a dime, a ten, one of one, A-1, irreplaceable, invaluable, etc. That is exactly what you become. It’s like the saying, “ Once you think you're hot, you're hot.”It’s as simple as believing that you are, that’s it, as well as putting in the work daily little by little. Do what you feel you need to get to a place where you feel secure about yourself, whether that is finding a passion, hobby, or something that will ground you in your sense of being your most authentic self. You can never lose doing YOU, and that’s a fact.

Once you decide your important and invaluable, that’s what you become. There will always be someone prettier, taller, “ more attractive” than you, but if you don’t think that’s the case……then it isn’t. Sitting here feeling bad and choosing to sulk 25/8 isn’t going to get you what you want. Being invested vicariously in other people’s lives via social media or social circle isn’t gonna make you feel important and secure within yourself, let alone confident. Comparing yourself isn’t going to yield you the results you want either. I never recommend faking it till you make it when you can develop it organically. When you start doing better and becoming the person you were meant to be, expect the unexpected.

Trust and believe when nothing else matters but your personal growth, people will notice. Don’t let that discourage you. Will, your change in confidence probably bothers people and cause them to start talking about you….probably. But if you wern’’t doing something right then, people woulnd’t be discussing you. Make the decision, whether you're sitting on the couch, doing your class assignments, or scrolling through social media, that a ten, a dime, or a ten is what you are. The mind is a terrible thing to waste, so why waste time believing you're less than < when in reality you’re greater than. A real dime in the rough, a natural diamond 💎, no bluff……so it’s time to act like it.