Courage

Sometimes I find my confidence and insecurity going hand in hand. I know this might sound strange, but it's true. I don't want to speak for all of us, but I personally feel like it's true in your twenties (and maybe with SMA too?) to struggle with both.

Can you hear me?

My biggest insecurity is not having people be able to hear me, which in turn makes my confidence go low. So let's discuss how I've been helping myself with this lately!

Speech therapy boosts my confidence

Speech therapy - So lately I've been doing speech therapy. She's helped with my overall speaking and not being afraid to talk to people.

Practicing speaking up or speaking out

Speaking my mind (respectfully of course!) Since I struggled with fear of not being heard, I never really spoke my truth aside from online. I push myself to say what is on my mind because it's important! I've learned that you have to say it, because if you bury it deep down, you end up killing yourself mentally. For example, I would always ask my mom to order food for me because I was afraid that they wouldn't hear me or ignore me. I was crippled by my insecurity and fear of failure.

Podcasts, audiobooks and music give me inspiration

Listening to inspiring podcasts, Ted Talks, or reading books! I love Mel Robbins, so I listen to her sometimes. I also love Morgan Harper Nichols art and podcast, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** has really helped me. Someone at the 2019 Cure SMA conference mentioned and I love it! I just finished the documentary this past weekend and I'm listening to the audiobook as well now. I never got a chance to finish it, and although I have and love my psychical copy, right now, it's just easier to listen to the audiobook because I'm so busy preparing for college this fall. I got it from my library, so definitely check there if you want to get my recommendations!

Untamed by Glennon Doyle is on my TBR (to be read) too, but, I got a sample on my free Kindle app and I related so much, so I'm very excited!

For Ted Talks, I highly recommended anything by Bréne Brown, my old therapist talked highly of her and I really love her! She breaks things down very simplistically, but her words make you change your mindset, I love how she speaks!

Music also helps me! I have a confidence playlist that really helps me, and reminds me of my power!

Do what frightens you

Finally, as Nike one said, just do it! I learned recently from Mel Robbins that being afraid means that you're passionate about whatever you're afraid of. And it means that you're absolutely ready for whatever you're scared of!

With my mom, my speech therapist, my SMA friends and everyone in my life cheering me on, it's gotten easier. I need to stop being afraid because I've been there for most of my life and that's not who I'm going to be forever. I've learned that being scared is normal, you can't let it consume you! (Easier said than done, I know!)

Overall, courage and confidence will come in waves, and that's ok! You have to try very hard to ignore the negative voice in your head, you can do this. Stop living in your head and stop not letting yourself live your dream life. You can do this friends! My depression has taught me to find joy in the simple things and stop holding myself back like I mentioned.

I love you so much, you have so much power and you deserve the world!