My comfort zone is behind the scenes, following in other people’s footsteps, standing next to my husband but quickly retreating to the side when the spotlight shines in our direction.
I hid behind my long hair ( seriously y’all, it was down to my knees), an oversized sweatshirt tied around my waist and baggy T-shirts. For many years I didn’t know I had a voice of my own, not because the people in my life stifled it but because I was filled with my own insecurities, fear, and judgment. I didn’t even know it, but early on in my life, I had placed a glass ceiling over my head.
To those around me, I was known as Val’s daughter, Rachel’s baby sister, Alfred’s girlfriend (later on wife), Bridon, Arabella and Hadley’s mom, so and so’s friend… hardly ever was I known as Michaela or at least I didn’t think I was. Heck, who was Michaela anyway?
The boldest move I made was not applying to the same college as my “boyfriend” at the time because I wasn’t going to be THAT girl who followed her boyfriend to college. That actually came back to bite me in the A$$ because I spent all my pennies driving up and down the freeway any chance I could get.
Gradually, through experience, growth and my faith, I have started to
Step out of the shadows and into the light…
It all started when I was pregnant with my son, my firstborn. I needed to find my voice to have autonomy over my body, to stand up for what was right for me and my baby, to walk into one of the most important days of my life with CONFIDENCE so I wouldn’t walk away with regrets.
Was it Scary?
HELL TO THE YES!
However, finding my voice, expressing my wishes and desires and witnessing them play out on his BIRTHday changed me forever!!
My thoughts and opinions did matter and they were honored and I felt so POWERFUL!
January 23, 2004, the first day of the rest of my life!
From that moment on, I started to make a mental shift, I was growing into someone that believed in herself, loved herself, and knew that I had a purpose in this life greater than the roles that I play.
You see, I am Proud to be Val’s daughter, Alfred’s wife, Rachel’s sister, my kid’s mom, and a friend to many, but now I am not just PROUD but CONFIDENT in who Michaela is within those roles.
I wake up most mornings with a sense of purpose, excitement to be my best, to encourage others, to build relationships and walk down this journey of life with the most amazing people!
Have you had your defining moment yet, you know? The one in which you woke up knowing who you are or what you are to do? The one that makes you want to walk in the room and stand up a little taller? The one that helped you grow in confidence?
If you answered YES to the questions above, download our Cut The Comparison guide now, the first step in learning to believe in yourself!
