06/25/2026
For a long time, I thought I had a confidence problem.
Looking back, I don't think that was it.
I think I was spending so much energy trying not to upset anyone, disappoint anyone, or be misunderstood that I stopped saying what I actually thought.
I'd write something and delete it.
I'd have an opinion and keep it to myself.
I'd rehearse conversations in my head and then say the watered-down version when the moment came.
Maybe you've done that too.
What's interesting is that the more I hid my voice, the less confident I felt.
Not because I wasn't capable.
Because I wasn't being honest.
These days, I still catch myself overthinking sometimes. I still wonder how something will land. But I've learned that waiting until I feel completely fearless usually means I'll be waiting forever.
So now I say the thing.
Not perfectly.
Not every time.
But more often than I used to.
And every time I do, I trust myself a little more.
💫 Have you ever held back something you wanted to say?
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Xoxo,
Denise Michelle 💕💫