• August 19, 2021
• Laura Madden
• 0
• Uncategorized

Thanks to Katie Den Ouden, I’m sharing this as part of the Skinny Dip Society Blog Tour, a worldwide sisterhood of 21 women sharing their truth and their journeys for 21 days. It is an honor to be featured among 20 other women, walking their talk, revealing themselves, & sharing their truth- shamelessly.

Admittedly, participating in collaborations like this to serve the greater good is one of my favorite things- an opportunity to connect with other amazing women, to write, to speak my truth, and reveal a piece of myself like never before. Speaking of truth, I’m also feeling some fear. To share your story can sometimes feel like a hefty magnifying glass is being held over your head! My more confident-self overruled, thank goodness, with the reassurance ‘Follow the fear and do it anyway!’  

Walking my talk. Helping other women find their voice and use it, no matter what other people will think is something that’s deeply connected to my soul and is a large part of my work. How could it not be? This has been my own struggle- to be myself, to speak my truth, to express myself- no matter what other people will think. Frankly, I got so sick & tired of hearing that damn what will people think riddle in my ear, I finally decided to put a cap on it- once and for all.

So why is it, as I go to write about this & share a piece of my own truth, do I find myself completely afraid to? I second guessed myself, contemplated what other people would think (my annihilator voice!), and did my nails, before finally realizing I just got too much to say on this to let it stop me now! So, here I am. I hope you enjoy this blog because I just opened a can of whoopa**!

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde

It is true, right? lol. I literally laughed out loud when I first read this quote. (not all that long ago) My laughter, though, was quickly followed by a stomach-in-my-throat feeling in my gut. There was a message here for me. But I surely didn’t want to hear it.

S**t! F^^k!  My aha moment delivered a gut-wrenching knowing that I am still wearing a mask, a facade that I assumed other people would approve of.  Amidst all the personal growth and coaching work I’ve done, it. was. still. there.

Most of my life, I’ve been typecast as a pretty face and a Colgate smile. Truth is, on the other side of that facade was immense self-doubt, self-consciousness and the all too noisy what will people think ringing in my ear, assessing, criticizing every move I made.

What exactly does this mean ‘to be yourself?’ For me, it’s been a life-long process of self-discovery, deep soul-searching, life coaching trainings, seminars and many thousands of dollars on life coaches of my own. For many years, I wondered ‘who the F**k am I? And what, dear God, is my purpose here? These questions riddddddled me into further self-doubt, self-consciousness, and hiding out.

With almost 20 years experience as a model, I’ve always felt comfortable being seen on the outside, on camera, but being seen, on the inside, was never easy for me. This was my self-worth, self-esteem, and a squirrely sense of self that kept me hiding out as someone I thought other people would like more than my true self.

In all honesty, life actually started out pretty sweet. I was the 1st born to two well-meaning, beautiful people. I remember being a real firecracker- maybe a little too much so for the adults in my life. I was also mouthy, and at times, temperamental and hot-tempered. But I knew who I was and I knew what I wanted- to be seen & heard… loved, accepted… the life of the party.

Soon enough, I’m hiding behind some persona I thought everyone else wanted me to be, though never really feeling like anyone at all. Much of my life I felt like an outsider, except I wasn’t. I felt alone in my own body, disconnected from my true self.

Early on I developed a weight problem that clearly wasn’t acceptable, based on the feedback from my pediatrician and my peers. Growing up overweight left me feeling less than capable (or deserving) of expressing myself and being seen, marked by a deep sense of shame for the person hiding inside.

This past year I made a profound change in my career. I finally heard the call. Louder than ever, even over the doubts of what other people would think. BE YOURSELF. I followed my truth. It hasn’t exactly been easy, but once I stopped wondering what other people would think, I started hearing the guidance to my calling, and having a helluva good time in my life, compared to the past.

Without a strong sense of self, self-worth and self-esteem, it’s down right impossible to fully express yourself. How could you if you don’t even know and trust who you really are?

It might feel safer to follow what everyone else is doing, what people tell you to do, and what you think others want you to do. Ultimately, it left me feeling like I was dying inside. I was. My essence was slowly disintegrating within me.

I talk about this openly because it has been my own lesson, and I want to help you if you’re feeling the same. It is my story.  And it may be your story too.  To just ‘Be yourself.’

Be yourself.

Even though other people will think whatever the hell they want to think.

Be yourself.

If you feel inspired to, please share this, and let me know how this helped you and what your struggles might be to just be yourself.

If you enjoyed reading this, CLICK HERE to receive weekly access to my insider secrets and inspired tips, so that you can create an image that you’re proud of & a life you love AND get my FREE Video Training RIGHT HERE: Top 3 Mistakes Women Entrepreneurs are making on camera.

P.S. Make sure you stay tuned on the Skinny Dip Society Blog Tour! Yesterday we heard from Bailey (click photo below). Next up is Kristen (check back tomorrow for the link to her post) and you know this is not to be missed!

PPS. If you are interested in joining me for Katie Den Ouden’s free 10-Day Manifesto Adventure starting September 3, click the picture below to get hooked up. Seriously…check it out and join me! She totally rules.

“Because I know women feel the pressure to compete & compare instead of celebrate & share. We can change that, together.
Because vulnerability and authenticity are beautiful and rid us of shame gremlins.” Katie Den Ouden

When you look in the mirror are you happy with the person staring back at you? Laura Madden empowers women business owners to create an eye-grabbing presence & an image they love, so they can gain visibility & grow their business. Laura uses her insider-secrets from 20 years in the modeling industry to help women break free from their shell & shamelessly self-promote on & off-camera. Work with Laura Madden

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Laura Madden