INSECURITIES: THE THING THAT MAKES US HUMAN

Let’s be real—we all have insecurities. Every single one of us. Some are obvious, and some are hidden under layers of humor or confidence or silence. But they’re there. And most of the time, what we’re insecure about feels so silly to everyone else, but to us? It’s huge.

I’ve had mine for as long as I can remember. One of the big ones? The way I talk. I’ve always been told I speak too fast, that I mumble, that I don’t annunciate clearly, and I swear way too much. And honestly? It’s still true to this day. I even took speech therapy back in elementary school to help with my R’s. So the fact that I’m now someone who hosts events, talks in front of classrooms, or records podcasts is WILD to me.

Because growing up, I didn’t think anyone would ever take me seriously. Half the time I was told, “I can’t even understand you!” My friends still poke fun, and I’ve learned to laugh along—because it’s easier to make the joke first than to let it hurt. But even then, I still hope people would be mindful. If you know something is someone’s insecurity, maybe don’t keep poking at it. Especially not over and over again, pretending it’s just a joke.

Here’s my take: if the joke is only funny to everyone except the person it’s about—then it’s not a joke. It’s just mean. And unless you’re offering genuine constructive feedback (which is rare in casual teasing), what are you really trying to do? Make yourself feel better?

And look, I’m not perfect. I’ve probably said things without realizing how they hit. But I do try to read the room. If I feel like someone’s energy shifts, I try to back off. Because at the end of the day, we’re grown. We should be able to hold space for people to show up as they are.

Even now, I still catch myself mid-sentence sometimes. When I start to mumble or speed up, I pause and slow down. I try. You’ll catch it in my stories, my videos, even at my events. I’m always trying to be a little more mindful—but I also don’t beat myself up over it like I used to.

Because here’s the thing: facing your insecurity, over and over, is how it stops being one. When you walk into the fire, the fire starts to lose its power. I still talk fast. I still mumble. I still sound like a hot mess sometimes. But now? It’s just part of me. And I’m not ashamed of that part anymore.

If you’re in the beauty industry—or any industry—and your insecurities are holding you back, I want you to ask yourself: can I face it? Can I either work on it, or fully embrace it so it no longer controls me? That’s how you take your power back.

It’s wild to think how confident we were as kids. The outfits? The makeup looks? The random dance routines? We truly didn’t care what people thought—until someone said something. And once someone says something, and someone else laughs, suddenly the confidence chips away. It doesn’t happen all at once—it’s little by little. And most of us have been on both ends. We’ve all had our confidence chipped at, and let’s be honest, we’ve all unknowingly chipped at someone else’s too. Or maybe for some… it was intentional. I think we are all guilty of that too. 

But that’s why awareness matters. Speaking with kindness. Encouraging people instead of pointing out their flaws. We have to stop assuming people are “fine” with the teasing just because they laugh. Let’s do better—for ourselves and for each other.

Your insecurity doesn’t define you. It shapes you—but it doesn’t own you. And the more you step into it, the more power you take back.