Complimenting myself without apology.

Be your own best champion.

It's some of the best advice that I have received and it's some of the best advice that I have pushed forward.

It's something I tell myself often. And I want to be unapologetic about it.

That's the hard part.

Being my own best champion. Without excuse. Without explanation. Without justification. Without worry.

Offering no apologies for having to take more than one selfie so that I can avoid having a double chin. I do it. I am not sorry.

I have been criticized for sharing my joys on social media.

And that angers me so very much. Why wouldn't I want to share the joys? If you look at it and you feel less about your life, then that is your reaction. I can't control that.

And the great part of social media is that you have the ability to scroll right on past me. Hide me. Block me. Stop reading my blog. That's all in your control.

I hope you don't though. I hope that you will celebrate with me. I hope you will smile and understand that I strive each day to have more joy than sorrow. And I hope you will laugh with me when I share the other side.

I find satisfaction in doing a good job and working hard. I like celebrating those moments. I like celebrating those moments when others have them too.

I find satisfaction for looking at the world around me and knowing that I am resourceful. That I have contributed to something bigger. That I have looked at the opportunities around me and found a way to make it work.

Oh, you think it's bragging?

Well, maybe it's a form of bragging, but I will not let you make me feel poorly because I am experiencing the joys of life.

I will be my own best champion.

There is joy in the #metoo

If you have read my other posts, you know that I receive a lot of joy from sharing. That's not so awful. Sure, it has its downside, but I rarely experience that.

Instead, I have found a #metoo community.

A community where people are happy for you. A community that shares their joys without apology. A community that works hard to be better than the day before.

And it's not always joyful.

There are moments when I have to be my own best champion as I struggle through a "teachable moment" at work or a parenting mistake.

And it's not always easy.

Negotiating for a new position or a salary is frightening (and important) work. Or admitting that you are wrong to a spouse takes courage. And those moments are important to share too, but I am not limiting my sharing to these moments only. It's also okay if I don't share those moments. I don't share every success either.

But when I'm having a not-so-great moment, I use the energy I have saved up when you celebrated the good with me.

I hope you don't ever feel like you need to hold back from complimenting yourself or stepping up to be your own best champion. And I hope you never share your joys in hopes of hurting others. Share because you are proud.

--Amy

#authenticity #investinyourself #insecurities