Can you recall a time
when you felt
ugly
insecure
desperate
jealous
rejected
lonely
imperfect
unwanted
unworthy?
Was it one year ago
was it one week ago
was it last night
was it today?
Did you dismiss
or conceal
your emotions
to appease
to please?
Did you judge yourself
for feeling something
that elicited discomfort
in someone else?
Did you try so hard
to appear
as if you did not try at all?
Did you feel like a prude
who thinks too much and feels too little?
Who overanalyzes
and dramatizes
what should be casual
what should be fun?
Did you feel easy
because you gave it up too soon
after that
how could he possibly want you?
Did you feel irrational or needy
because it meant something to you?
Did you question your self-worth
because the whole room did not turn
the moment you walked in?
Because your face
your breasts
your butt
did not look
like the woman
who seems so happy
in the magazine?
Because you
failed to command the most attention
did not speak the most eloquently?
Because you did not have
the most fashionable outfit
or the most impressive career?
Because you were not
the greatest chef
the funniest comedian
the sexiest dancer
the worldliest traveler?
Because you thought
the light you saw
in another woman
outshone your own?
Because someone did not love you
the way that you wanted them to?
Do you have any idea
how beautiful you are?
Do you realize
that you are powerful
beyond belief?
Do you know
that your worth is not amounted
by how many men want you
how many women envy you
the praise you are offered
or the promotions you receive?
Do you know
that you are not a slut if you give in
a prude if you don’t
desperate if you care
heartless if you don’t?
Do you know that your worth
is your birthright
it is not something
that you earn?
People will hurt, reject, mistreat you
and it has nothing
to do
with how
beautiful smart kind talented fun
independent sexy capable cool
or PERFECT
you are.
How others
see and treat you
has everything to do with them
what you accept
has everything to do with you.
So when you feel scared and insecure
instead of judging yourself
EMPOWER yourself .
Recognize that you are capable.
Trust that you are complete.
Believe that you can do it, any of it.
See that you do not need someone else
to fulfill you
to complete you
to change you
or to need you.
Know that you not only have it all
YOU ARE IT ALL.
That is my truth.
Beautiful. I will share this with my daughter.
Thank you Jennifer!
Amazing piece! I think fighting the “not-enoughness” is a frequent battle for most women. Thank you for sharing 🙂
You’re right Anna, it totally is. Many times when I feel insecure I justify it as a “me” problem, because of my past experiences, neuroses, bla bla bla. But really it seems to be that all women experience it at times. Thank you for reading 🙂
Inspiring and much-needed words. Thank you for this.
You’re welcome, thank you for reading Mary!
this was so timely in my life it’s kind of scary.
thank you for your words. even from a stranger they mean the world. now it’s just time to believe them.
Thank you Karen. It’s all about self talk. Where the mind goes the energy flows! I feel things these too, I’m working on not judging myself when I do, letting it pass, and then picking myself up again.
Could not have come at a better time. Thank you for this post, Camille. Everything you said is something I have felt at one point or another. Wonderful, wonderful post. xoxo
Thank you darling. BIG BIG hugs to you!!!
Beautiful. I so enjoy reading your entries. Perhaps this is off topic, but what camera do you use? Your photos are almost as beautiful and soulful as your words. Thank you.
Thank you Bethany! I use a canon powershot automatic camera. In past posts I was using the A1000, but now am using the SX170 🙂
THANK YOU. You are wonderful. I cannot tell you how much I needed to read this. Love from Mexico.
Thank you Erika hope you are enjoying Mexico xx
I came back and I subscribed. Have another nice day in your gorgeous life!
Thank you 🙂
I’m an old guy and everything you said reversing the sex to guys instead is 100% true. We have those insecurities too. Thank you for the thought food. Now I’m going to read it again.
Thank you. Great to hear from a man on this matter. I find myself thinking that these are me issues, then I realize they are women issues, now you’re enlightening me that they are in fact human issues.
Extremely beautiful, Camille. My profound thanks! XO
Thank you <3
This is my biggest struggle in life and your article touched a lot of sensitive points for me. Thank you for writing this and for all your articles, you are leading the life that I would love to lead if I had more courage.. Always be strong and never change 🙂
Aw thank you Alex. I hope you find the strength to follow your dreams, you deserve them and you are so capable of achieving them.
Thank you Camille. I am feeling lost and this post kinda wrapped it up for me. My best friend has been leaning on me for strength and I feel like I have none to share because I am struggling to keep on trying. I need a job, no one will call me and I am so scared, my confidence is down to zero….
My best advice to you is to do whatever you can to feel empowered. Losing my job is what sent me on this journey to begin with. Create something for yourself. Your confidence will soar. Good luck to you Sue <3
I found your blog while searching for some good places not to miss out on before going to Nicaragua. I’ve been traveling to South America and the Caribbean back and forth for the past four years, and this is a truly inspiring and beautiful blog! Thank you!
Thank you so much 🙂 Let me know how your trip goes in Nicaragua and if you need any other advice!
Your articles and your writing are always so inspiring. As a woman, I had to overcome many obstacles, mostly due to social and religious pressure, just to fight them all and become who I am today. It’s refreshing to read this article! 🙂
Thank you so much Karima <3
Beautifully written, but in reality it could and should be addressed to mankind. Everyone needs to embrace your words, the world would be a better place. Thanks for your insight, beautiful photos and words.
So true, and thank you for your comment!
Thanks! I really needed this today!
<3
Absolutely gorgeous. thank you <3 xxx
You’re very welcome! 🙂