🌹 You Don’t Have to Shrink to Fit In

One of the hardest lessons for a young woman to learn is that every room was not designed to hold who she is becoming.

Sometimes we change ourselves just to belong.

We become quieter because someone said we were too outspoken. We hide our gifts because we don't want other people to feel uncomfortable. We change how we dress, how we talk, what we believe, and sometimes even what we dream about because we're afraid that being ourselves might cost us acceptance.

But hear me:

You should never have to become less of who God created you to be just to make somebody else comfortable.

Fitting In and Belonging Are Different

Fitting in says, “Change yourself so they'll accept you.”

Belonging says, “You can be yourself here.”

There is a difference.

As you grow, you will discover that everybody will not understand you. Everybody won't celebrate you. And everybody who started the journey with you may not be able to continue where you're going.

That's okay.

Growth will sometimes change your circle.

It will change your conversations.

It will change what you tolerate.

It will even change what you're willing to settle for.

Confidence Isn't Thinking You're Better

Confidence isn't walking into a room believing you're better than everyone else.

Confidence is walking into the room knowing you don't have to compete with anyone else to have value.

There is room for her gift and your gift.

There is room for her beauty and your beauty.

There is room for her success and your success.

Another woman's light doesn't make yours shine any less.

To the Young Lady Reading This...

Please don't spend the best years of your life trying to become somebody else's definition of acceptable.

Discover your voice.

Develop your gifts.

Learn what you believe.

Set healthy boundaries.

Know your worth.

And most importantly, ask God to help you see yourself the way He sees you.

Because once you know who you are, you stop allowing every opinion to redefine you.

Don't shrink.

Don't disappear.

Don't apologize for blooming. 🌹

There's room for you, too.

With Love,

Lady J
Founder, Lady J Ministries – Blooming Roses

Empowered • Confident • Chosen