I’ve Finally Realized My Worth & It’s Changing Everything

I used to be crippled by self-doubt and insecurity and I wondered if I’d ever overcome it. Thankfully, as I’ve entered my thirties and done some serious soul-searching, I’m finally coming into my power and realizing my worth and everything is different because of it.

  1. I’m not afraid to speak up. I used to defer to everyone else, imagining I had nothing of value to add. Now I know better than to treat myself like a worthless entity. Not only do I express myself through my writing, but I’m also comfortable expressing myself in person without anxiety interfering.
  2. I’m not willing to back down from what I believe. I don’t care if it creates conflict or dissent. I used to avoid confrontation because I thought it wasn’t worth it. I froze in the face of differing opinions. Now I recognize that I have values that deserve to be protected and upheld.
  3. I don’t care what anyone thinks of me. I always told myself that life’s too short to care, but now I actually believe it. I have limited time to exist on this earth, so might as well make it count. If everyone likes me, I’m not doing my job, which is to stand in my truth as an individual.
  4. I’ve gotten over my fear of criticism. The trolls on the internet cured me of that! If I listen to the horrible things that strangers put out there about me and what I do, I’ll lose my mind. They don’t know me and honestly, they’re not nice humans. I know who I am and I’m not ashamed.
  5. I’m honest about my humanity. I used to fear being considered a freak if I told the truth about my flaws and insecurities. Then I realized that everyone has the same crap but most people are too scared to reveal it. I decided to put my own skeletons out in the open to show that it’s OK.
  6. I believe the feminine is inherently powerful. I will never be ashamed of my womanhood—we’re freaking amazing! I value each one of the strong ladies in my life who helped me understand that being a dynamic female is imperative in this world. We will no longer be pushed down.
  7. I’m dedicated to my truth. I owe much of my development to my writing. Getting words out on the page helped me figure out who I am and what I want. Without writing, I’m not sure I would have ever understood myself. Now I focus on expressing my truth as bravely as I can.
  8. I refuse to exist quietly. Throughout history, women were expected to sit down and shut up. If a woman behaved the same way a man would, she was pushy, obnoxious, bitchy, and unpleasant. I firmly believe in erasing these stigmas and I try to do my part every day to show that female strength is beautiful.
  9. I’ll always support other women. Of course, the respect should be mutual. Part of coming into my own involves recognizing bad energy and negative influences. That being said, I’ve never found the success of my female counterparts threatening—much the opposite, in fact. It’s encouraging.
  10. I can finally celebrate me. I spent my younger years in great fear of embracing myself. I thought I’d come across as arrogant or self-centered if I decided to like who I am. I later realized that I’m a better person when I feel confident and happy in my own skin. It’s a beautiful thing to love oneself.
  11. I’m no longer scared to be strong. I think many of us worry, especially as young women, what men think if we dare to stand up in our power. I always struggle with dating—men constantly tell me I’m intimidating, which just shows me that they don’t get me. I’m complex and layered like everyone else.
  12. I want to use my voice effectively. The most important tools we have in this world as individuals are our unique perspectives and perceptions. I realize more each day that I can use my writing to reach others and give voice to my own experience in this world as a woman and a person.
  13. I’ve lost all tolerance for BS. I have no room for drama in my life. It’s a waste of time, and once I started trusting myself, I realized that it’s just fine to get rid of toxic people. I’m not afraid to lose those friends who are no longer right for me. That’s the nature of evolving.
  14. I call it how I see it. I struggle with this most out of everything I’ve learned, as it’s still important to recognize other perspectives. The trick is in balancing respect and understanding of opposing views while sticking to what I know in my gut. I’m open to change while respecting my own truth.
  15. I’ve realized life is too short not to use what I have now. Every single one of us has a specific worth—there’s no one who is exactly like anyone else.Why not use my special talents and skills to make my own mark in this world? There’s nothing to lose by embracing my power.
A former actress who has always loved the art of the written word, Amy is excited to be here sharing her stories! She just completed her first novel, and is also a contributor for Elite Daily, Dirty & Thirty, and Thought Catalog. Amy is the founder of What If Journey and can be found on Twitter @amyhorton18. You can also visit her website at amyhorton.net.
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