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- 16 Oct
Did Your Momma dress you funny too? I can help you with that!
I will never forget the moment I heard it. “Your momma dresses you funny,” uttered from a classmate I happened to have a crush on, and I’m pretty sure he knew it. Whhhhaaaattttt did you say to me?!, I thought to myself, completely humiliated in front of my peers. crushed. My self-consciousness factor was through the roof- palpable actually. I was in 5th grade: already struggling with a less-than self-esteem, desperately trying to camouflage my weight problem with cute outfits (or so I thought I was). Now this. If there was anything I thought I could do, it was dress well. If there was anything that made me feel secure, it was playing dress up and putting fun outfits together. I was overweight, sucked at sports, and no boys liked me (clearly). Now this.
The one thing, I felt good about, expressing myself through my creative clothing choices- ok maybe eccentric is a better word. It was a safe way for me to use my voice. not anymore.
First of all, I thought, WTF. My momma doesn’t even dress me. These are me creations! I picked this ensemble out myself. Maybe I had on too many layers, but still, I felt… cool. fashionable. so Seventeen Magazine fashionable. I was different. Unfortunately, it was very early on that I learned it was not ok to be different. I learned it was safer to fit in, be part of the crowd. It was cooler to be average, not unique or unusual.
I know you must have been told you were different or not okay for how you were as a child or an adolescent, too. How has that shaped the decisions you’ve made in your life? What might you be doing differently if you were encouraged to be your own unique self- quirks and all?
What happens to a child that is highly unique at their core when they grow ashamed of it? They struggle and work hard to hide it. It is exhausting. It diminishes the self-esteem that should be firing up in our bellies, as we reach adolescence, preparing to grow into self-expressed, mature women.
“The opposite of courage in our society today is not cowardess, it is conformity.” Rollo May
I always had this dream of being in fashion. But from a very young age, I was told I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t make a living at that. That wasn’t realistic as a j-o-b. I believed them. I had no reason not to. Without a strong self-esteem, you believe anything anyone tells you. And you will follow directions. Because most important is being liked- validation. If I couldn’t give it to myself, I craved it from others. So, I buried the dream of being in ‘fashion.’
What dreams are you giving up on?
What passions have you let go of because it is easier to just stay where you are and conform?
Where have you shied away from a challenge due to adversity?
I know you’ve squashed your dreams at some point in your life and I know what that feels like. But you can always rekindle that fire within and be that girl if you desire to be her again. I know what that feels like too.
Gratefully, today it is clear how these experiences in my life led me to a place which I consider home. I am able to pair my love of style with my modeling experience, with my passion to empower women to create an image they love, to stand out and get comfortable in their skin. I may not have been meant to be a fashion designer, as I dreamed of as a little girl, but I am meant to help others with their fashion (more to come on that later).
Hello fashion! I’m back!
You can pave your own path too. I am continually learning to stand in my own power and use my voice. It is vulnerable and some days are harder than others, but I persevere because I know the perseverance to speak my truth is empowering you to stand up and do the same.
Do you need to upgrade your style? Cultivate confidence getting on camera or get comfortable in your skin? Do you desire to create an image that you love? If you like my style and are touched by my story, then I invite you to a discovery session to explore how we can work together.
Do you have an upcoming video or photoshoot? A special event? Or maybe you’re bored stiff with your style? EXPIRES 10/31/14 you can work with me to upgrade your style for only $97! CLICK HERE to secure your appointment today.
Make sure you register for my next FREE training call Wednesday, 10/22/14, 12pm EST, 9am PST. Make sure you sign up even if you can’t join us live to receive the call recording. I’m taking questions. What do you want to learn about around creating an image you love and prepping for your photo or video shoot? Body prep lifestyle & diet, skincare, wardrobe, branding, confidence, releasing fear, content creation? CLICK HERE to register now.
I help women entrepreneurs find the confidence & presence of a model without having to be one! If you are a female business owner ready to take your business to the next level, join me in AZ this November for The Women’s Empowerment Photo Series. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/empoweredphoto Discover the tools to get comfortable on camera, standing in the spotlight, being seen and expressing your true self. You will be provided with the tools, guidance, support, and enthusiasm of a professional team.
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Laura Madden
