Empowering Women to Overcome the Fear of Becoming

Women are born with indomitable spirits. Their resilience, innate passion, and ability to charm and nurture, coupled with their industriousness make them simply unique. They are however not without struggles, some stifling silently to accept their individuality. For introspection, pertinent questions every woman should ask themselves are:

1. Who am I?

2. Do I have life objectives?

3. What am I known for?

4. What do I want to be remembered for?

5. Do I empower others along my path?

6. Am I living to fulfil social norms or am I fighting to exude the confidence in becoming who I truly want to be?

Many women today are wearing facades to feel a sense of acceptance in society. This is because of rigid social constructs, especially within Jamaican society. Society dictates a ‘pre-lived’ life filled with expectations of a woman. That is one where she must have children and be married by a certain age, she must have a certain job, drive a particular vehicle, and possess materialistic values, or physical attributes. Life, therefore becomes an attraction to tangible things that one can own with stark disregard for the soul rather than that of integrity.

The key to becoming is revolving through self-actualization with greater self-acceptance and reassurance.

Self-acceptance

“People don’t have to like you. People don’t have to love you. They don’t even have to respect you. But, when yo

u look into the mirror, you better love what you see.”- ( Ralph, 2023)

Women love yourselves, be confident in your abilities, and execute your intentionality and accountability by owning your mistakes and conquering your fears so that everything within your path is reachable. Once you take that leap of faith and know within yourself that you are destined for excellence, then you will conquer that fear that is within you and proceed towards the greatness that awaits you.

Everything starts within the mind, so there is a need for you to control your thought process. It is important to be mindful that negative criticisms can help you grow. Regardless of how you are being criticized or categorized, it is okay to be different because the values you possess are unique. Therefore, embrace yourself, display strength and fortitude even in your weakest moment, and become even more optimistic and intrinsically motivated.

Reassurance

As you become cognizant of your purpose, be mindful that uncertainties make everything scary until it’s not. “The act of doing something un-does the fear.” - (Rhimes, 2018). Women, even when you feel as though you are drowning in society's judgment and your strength is fading, step boldly and be intentional about your actions, regardless of the discomfort and pain you encounter. Be cognizant that any form of greatness requires ‘going hard’ hence, the only fear you must entertain is that of your dreams being too big.

“Confidence is believing you can do it, competence is doing it.”- (Ingleton, 2015)

Step away from your place of comfort and start visualizing your goals, be open-minded, get daily positive affirmations, and act upon your dreams. Constantly engage in the quest to improve your skills and be committed to the concept of self-improvement. Ascertain and feed your motivation as you become, and affirm that every challenge that besets you is an opportunity to enhance the quality of your life.

If you fall in the midst of it all, be gentle on yourself, rest a little, and throw it in your basket of experiences knowing that this is one way it won’t work. Once you get back up, stop to celebrate the fact that you are strong enough to overcome that hurdle; and then, continue your journey with the mindset that everything is attainable.