What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?

We asked folks a question that led to many surprising answers – some sad, some thought-provoking and some funny. We’ve highlighted a cross section of those responses below.

Summer crosley

I was very shy as a child. I would have never imagined when I was a young child in school that one day I could over come my shyness and work in the fashion/ media industry. Read more >>>

Daria D. Kelman

I believed I needed permission… permission to be seen, to succeed, to dream beyond the boundaries I was born into. I no longer believe that. Now I know that I am the permission. I create the life, the art, and the opportunities I want and no one can’t stop me. Read more >>>

Will Carpenter

This answer will definitely be about self-worth. Growing up economically challenged, you tend to notice from a very young age that people look at you differently when you’re wearing your sisters’ hand-me-downs or paying for your milk at the store across the street with food stamps. Read more >>>

Prestige.

I stopped believing in having to make myself small in order for others to feel comfortable. There’s been multiple occasions where my confidence was constantly mistaken for arrogance or cockiness, and I used to blame myself for it. However, I shouldn’t have to dim my light for others who are comfortable living in darkness. Read more >>>

Princess J

That I’m difficult. As a child, I thought speaking up, asking questions, or not just “going along” made me hard to deal with. But I’ve learned that I’m not difficult—most people are just comfortable bending, blending, or falling into line. That’s never been me. I don’t shrink myself to fit. Read more >>>

Marcella Ochoa

When I was really young I didn’t feel that there was a place for me in Hollywood because nobody looked like me in front of or behind the camera. I didn’t see any stories from my community being told especially in the horror space. So, I really never thought being a filmmaker was an option for me. But now I know that’s not the case. Read more >>>

Monica Renee Wright

As a child, I believed that my heavier build and acne meant that I couldn’t succeed in the beauty industry. It also didn’t help that I seldom saw girls with acne or imperfections in the media. This made it harder to see my own beauty. Read more >>>