“You’re too sweet,” is the most common reply to my words of encouragement.
I could write an entire post about how we can’t take compliments in general, but that topic has been extensively covered.
What you should know about me though is I’m not “too sweet.” I’m not a jerk (hopefully), but I was raised to say what I mean and mean what I say. So when I tell you that you, yes, YOU, are awesome, I mean it. I am not attempting to give anyone false confidence or kiss up to people, and I’m certainly not being sweet.
I have friends from all walks of life, with different talents, passions and skills. They come from various backgrounds. Some of them didn’t graduate high school while others earned their Ph.D. I know people who are incredibly crafty, and others who can build spread sheets that look like works of art. Some of my friends stay home, some work out of the home, and some of them work and have a side hustle or three.
Yet, each time I attempt to tell a friend how awesome she is, my words are met with resistance. “Oh, I’m just…” Then they proceed to explain away their talents or accomplishments.
Girl, shut up.
You are awesome.
Stop believing anything less.
You’re not just lucky.
You’re not just a mom.
You’re not just anything.
You don’t have to attain a mainstream version of success to be successful. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, what your profession is or how many letters you have behind your name.
In fact, some of my most successful friends make the most excuses for why they are less than.
When I scroll my Facebook feed and see woman after woman doing her thing – be it baking, crafting, growing a blog, running for office, acting, climbing the corporate ladder, raising children, giving back to the community, etc., I am inspired.
I often wonder who the heck I am to even be around such talent, much less call many of these amazing women friends.
And there it is.
I am not immune to the struggle. I reply, “You’re too sweet,” when someone points out a good quality of mine. I explain away my accomplishments and diminish my talents.
When someone offers me encouraging words about my secret dream to write a book or when someone tries to tell me that I’m awesome, my walls go up.
After all, I’m not artistic. I don’t see myself as successful. I don’t even have a college degree. Who am I to be among such strong, talented friends?
But I am. I am all the good things I see in others. I just need to figure out how to believe it about myself with the same fervor I believe it about you. I’m working on it.
And I encourage you to do the same. Look around at the amazing people in your circle and realize you are one of them.