We asked folks a question that led to many surprising answers – some sad, some thought-provoking and some funny. We’ve highlighted a cross section of those responses below.
Jacqueline Johnson
As a child, I believed I could never do anything right and that I would never measure up. I chased approval so hard that I made countless mistakes saying yes when I should have said no, bending myself into shapes I didn’t recognize all in the hope of being liked. But life has a way of showing you who you really are. Read more>>
Dfame
I used to believe that you had to be perfect in order to be loved. My partner, Aussie, taught me that it’s okay to have flaws. I don’t have to be perfect at everything in order to feel worthy. His support helped grow my confidence and boost my self-esteem. Read more>>
Dana Blow
As a child, I was often called ‘shy’ because I was quiet upon initially meeting people or in new situations or places. In college while taking child development classes, I learned about different temperaments of children –and people in general– have. When I read one called ‘slow to warm up to’ it was like looking in a mirror. Read more>>
Nicole Collie
As a child, I believed I was stupid. My fifth-grade teacher actually called me that, and it showed up in my report card—something that was very hard for my parents to see. I have dyslexia, and in the early 80s it was still something people were just beginning to understand. Read more>>
Nina-Marie Rueda
That I was going to be J Lo’s back-up dancer or the first female president. I am wholly committed to being a stay-at-home-mom who makes her own schedule in order to homeschool my children alongside my husband. I do not care to be well-known or in some powerful leadership position. I care that my children are well-loved and that our community is tight-knit. Read more>>
Barb Diamond
When I was a child, I believed I had to have one dream or vision for myself. When I was in high school I believed I was going to be a fashion designer. I can sew and design small projects, but I keep that as a hobby. My professional dreams and goals have evolved over the years. Read more>>
Jayla Smith
As a child, I used to believe I wasn’t smart or intelligent. I would watch my peers excel in sports, spelling bees, Honor Society, and consistently bring home A’s and B’s. Academics felt like a struggle for me — not because I wasn’t capable, but because I wasn’t fully focused. Read more>>
