My journey to achieving confidence.

Here is a little bit of my story on achiving confidence and happiness in my life. I never had an issue with weight. In fact, I was always super skinny. I really didn't have a problem with people in my life, friends, etc until I was 5 years old. On the 1st day of kindergarten, we were sitting in a circle waiting for class to start. Right away, 2 or 3 kids were wispering to each other and referencing my glasses. I immediatly withdrew. I then associated glasses with many negative perceptions. So I quit wearing them at school. I only wore them when I felt I could not get away with it. This continued for many years in gradeschool. I was teased occaisionally. I still had friends and all that. But because I was so quiet and withdrawn, I never allowed any confidence to grow within me.

I did not want to go to school sometimes during 3rd and 4th grade. I viewed myself as very awkward looking. I hated my picture being taken.

I slowly accepted the fact that my glasses were a must and so from 6th grade on, I wore them all the time. But for 5 years, I felt unaccepted for being "nerdy" "too scrawny".

In 7th grade, a female friend of mine that honestly liked me did not want to sit by me in art class because I was not popular. It was hurtful. And though we are still friends to this day, it was something I hated feeling at the time.

I did not have confidence instilled in me at home. Not that my parents were bad, but it was not on the prioirity list. So this made my struggle to gaining confience that much more difficult.

Gradually through middle school and high school. I gained more confidence as I expressed myself more verbally and musically. I did not know this at the time, but it was the boost in confidence that brought more people in my life and not the way I viewed my appearance. Confidence is key.

I did not achieve the confience I have now until I was an adult. I realized that confidence comes from struggle. From setting goals and believing in what you can accomplish. Not being afraid to try something different. Not being afraid to try and fix something. Believing that you can succeed, even if you don't succeed the 1st time. For many years now, I have resolved to tackle tasks and goals I never would have before. This alone, is a confidence builder.

This is only a few bits and pieces of my story. But thought I would share. The biggest lesson in life that I have learned is love yourself and believe that you can accomplish what you desire.