Words Matter

Being confident in my skin has not always come naturally to me. As a matter of fact, I struggle with self-confidence and my appearance on a very regular basis.
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Here’s a moment that I’ll likely never forget and that probably causes some of this deeply rooted self-awareness. I recall being in middle school. I went to a Catholic school with a really strict uniform policy, so dress-down days were a real treat. For one such occasion, I remember I put on an outfit my mom and I had picked out at 5-7-9. I was obsessed with the outfit – it had been on a mannequin and my mom had treated me to the ENTIRE getup. Lime green tank top with a white tee underneath, wide-leg jeans, and lime green sandals that matched the tank top perfectly. I remember walking in the hallway at school with friends, and an older girl walked by me and said, “Ay que tacky!”
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It’s the first time I recall that self confidence being cracked, like a sledgehammer had been taken to it. It happened, I’m sure, multiple times throughout the years, but none as vividly as this. To me, it’s always such a reminder to use kind words and to teach my children to use kind words. Words have an impact. Those three words took me YEARS to overcome, and I don’t ever want myself or my kids to be the cause of someone else’s self-doubt.
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Remember this. Every day, in real life and on social media. Your words have impact, and if you aren’t using your words for good, then you are causing harm. 
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And that girl? A few years back I noticed that she started following me on Instagram. She likely doesn’t remember that exchange.  I don’t think she’s a bad person – a kid caught up in trying to look cool in front of friends. I’m actually grateful to her for helping me grow my skin a little thicker.

xoxo,