Living with Passion and Purpose

If you’re going through a change right now, know that you’re not alone.
I’m going through it too — and this has been one of the hardest, yet most rewarding, transformations I’ve ever experienced.
Why? Because I’m finally following my purpose.
I no longer let the opinions of others hold me back. I’m not afraid to face uncomfortable challenges, because I know they’re shaping me into who I’m meant to be.

Fear, as I’ve said before, is my compass.
It’s my guide.
It’s the highest version of me, waiting to be expressed and seen.
Instead of running from it, I listen. And what keeps me moving — even in fear — is the reminder that life is short.

The journey of self-expression is scary.
For so long, I wore a mask.
I shared parts of myself, but never fully — because I was afraid. I didn’t show my vulnerable side until I attended Rhodes Wellness College. There, I was placed in situations that required me to express myself.
I feared judgment. I feared not sounding smart enough. I hesitated to raise my hand, even when I had something to say.

If you’re anything like me, you want to be seen — but you’re also scared.
But if you don’t allow yourself to be seen, you’ll keep being your own harshest critic.

So instead of being hard on yourself, practice kindness.
Pay attention to the words you say to yourself.
If self-criticism shows up, replace it with encouragement.
Because on this journey, there won’t always be people cheering you on.
Some people won’t like you. But some will. And one of those people should be you.

Think about how you’d speak to a child.
Would you tell them they’re not good enough?
Or would you encourage them?

That child, the one inside you, is still there.
They’ve been hurt before.
And every time you speak unkindly to yourself, you reinforce that hurt.
But if you choose to uplift them — to nurture them — they will start to believe again.
Your inner child shows up every day, through fear, through anger, through all of it.

So show up for them.
Show up for you.

The more you tell yourself, “You’ve got this. This is your dream. You can do it,” the more confident you’ll become.
The braver you’ll feel.

For a long time, I believed a lack of experience was holding me back.
But I realized that wasn’t true.
Because I can create my own experience.
I can show up, whether I’m paid or volunteering.
The truth is, I was stopping myself.
I believed my accomplishments weren’t enough.
But looking back? Those were the moments I took a leap of faith.

Still, when the next mountain came — when it was time to fully go after my dream — I blocked myself.
Not on purpose.
But because of the limiting beliefs I held:
“I need more experience.”
“I need more qualifications.”
“I’m not good enough.”
“Why me, when others are doing it better?”

But the truth is — we all have something to offer.
For me, the most important thing about following my dream is following my joy.
That’s what I want to experience in this lifetime.

So, whether or not I use my qualifications in the traditional way, I now realize: I get to choose.
I can follow the path I studied for, or I can create my own.

And that realization? That’s freedom.

You can either live with joy, passion, and purpose —
Or you can continue being your harshest critic:
Judging yourself. Holding yourself back.
Blaming others for things you have the power to change.

The choice is ours.