Growing up I always knew I was a bit different. Different than the other girls. Trying so hard to fit in yet at the same time knowing that I just didn’t and secretly loving that part of myself. I was always attracted to the misfits in school. The underdogs. I envied how unattached they seemed to the other influences going on around them. I loved how genuine they were!
Then when I became pregnant at 18 and went into the Corporate world, I was bound & determined to MAKE something of myself. To make my family proud. To be someone my son would be proud of. I was a quick understudy of what it took to be successful. I studied what was going on around me. What the ‘successful’ people said. What they wore. What they did. While I secretly longed to be with the rebellious crowd — you know — the ones who were not determined to give in to the ‘MAN’ ? Yet, I kept my head down and went to work. After getting promoted quickly and working hard at both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees while working FT (with a family!!), I couldn’t get enough. I LOVED the accolades. I loved seeing my hard work pay off. I was completely bought into that Corporate Life!! Yet inside, I was empty……unfulfilled.
When I look back at pictures from that time, I was trying so hard to be & look ‘the part’ — that I lost myself in the process. I had created a life of success on the outside but on the inside, felt empty. Unsatisfied. Unsettled. It felt very inauthentic.
Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as not stepping FULLY into who you were created to BE.
After then experiencing some trauma in my life, I knew I could not ‘FAKE’ it anymore. (For the record, often times we don’t ever realize that is what we are doing until we find ourselves in a place that no longer aligns with who we have become!). I then began a journey of self discovery. I began to get more clear about who I was. What I wanted. How I wanted to show up. And I started to invest in ME.
Let me be clear — it was never about the environment I was in. Corporate life has it’s limitations, yes BUT it does not have to be all consuming! It IS possible to remain in Corporate yet hold true to who you are. It’s not common, but it’s absolutely possible and it is SO worth it! The road isn’t easy, but I believe we are up for the challenge!
We were not made to fit in. We were created to stand OUT!
Here is what I truly believe: we women were made for a time such as THIS. I truly believe that it is our time. Our time to take a stand. Our time to use our voice. To lead with vulnerability and authenticity. I have never felt more strongly about that then I do right now. I feel very deeply that God has placed me on this earth, and has gifted me with the experiences that He has, in order to help women discover the same things about themselves. It is my honor & joy to help you find the right voice, along with your style & color to help assist you on your mission to go & do the thing you were created to DO. And BE woman you were created to BE. It is my honor to be your authentic ally in the process of becoming….becoming who you were meant to BE all along!
And PS = if you want to hear more about my personal story, you can listen to Episode 001 HERE on the Podcast.
