IF YOU'RE AFRAID TO BE SEEN...

I want you to know this: I hid in my apartment for years. I barely let anyone in, including my now-girlfriend of 4.5 years (until tequila happened, and so did we), because I was afraid of what people would think. 

✔️ I was afraid they would see my self-help books and know how truly broken I felt.

✔️ I was afraid they would see the cracks in my heart and decide I was unlovable. 

✔️ I was afraid they would somehow find out that I struggled with binge-eating and body-hatred.

✔️ I was afraid they would realize how truly sensitive I was.

✔️ I was afraid that I would lose control of the little bubble I'd created.

✔️ I was afraid of living. 

✔️ I was afraid of feeling.

✔️ I was afraid of ALL of it.

After all, if I didn't feel worthy, how would anyone else think I was? Hiding was some of the deepest pain I inflicted on myself.

✨ But I can tell you this with FULL CERTAINTY: it's far scarier to hide than it is to shine. ✨

✨ It's far scarier to shut the world out, than it is to expose who you are and send out a kangaroo cry to your tribe. ✨

✨ It's far scarier to shy away from judgement than it is to face it (if you ever wanted to have your own back, watch what happens when you have to stand up for what you believe in) ✨

This is not to say that the fear goes away.
This is not to say that you won't be embarrassed. 
This is not to say that it won't be scary.
This is not to say that you'll figure it all out at once.

This is to say that it's WORTH IT to try. 

Even if you hear crickets, even if it feels uphill, even if people may judge you, even when you want to shrink again, and again, and again, know that there are so many of us out here who know how that feels.....and would STILL never go back. 

We're rooting you on, and we can't wait to see you. 

xx,
Alexandra