“From her mother, a daughter learns the music of her heart and dances to it all her life.”
On this International Women’s Day, I want to take a moment to tell you how incredibly proud I am of you. You are smart, a little crazy, and beautiful inside and out. As you continue to grow, I want to share with you some lessons I wish I had learned sooner. These lessons are my gift to you, so that you can walk through life with more confidence, courage, and grace than I did.
1. Stand up for yourself. Never shrink yourself to make others comfortable. Your voice matters. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. If someone treats you unfairly, stand tall and assert your boundaries. Stand up for others too. The world respects those who respect themselves first.
2. Know your worth. You are valuable, not because of what you do for others, but because of who you are. Never settle for less than you deserve—whether in friendships, relationships, or your career. Know that you are enough, just as you are.
3. Don’t be afraid to stand out. You were not born to blend in; you were born to shine. If you have big dreams, chase them fearlessly. If you have unique ideas, share them boldly. The world needs more women who are unafraid to take up space.
4. Don’t worry about what others think. People will always have opinions, but their opinions do not define you. Live your life based on your own values, not the expectations of others. Happiness comes from within, not from pleasing the crowd.
5. Let them talk. People will gossip. They will have you in their conversations, sometimes unfairly. Let them. You cannot control what others say, but you can control how you respond. The best response? Keep being yourself and let your success be your answer.
6. You don’t have to be a people pleaser. Being kind does not mean saying yes to everything. You can be kind and still set boundaries. You can be generous and still say no. It is not your job to keep everyone happy—it is your job to stay true to yourself.
7. Use kindness as your greatest weapon. There is power in kindness. It is not weakness; it is strength. Use it to lift others, tell people the good you see in them, and show the world that being strong and being kind are not opposites. They are one and the same.
I hope these lessons help guide you as you navigate life. You are already such an incredible young woman, and I have no doubt that you will continue to grow into someone even more remarkable. Always remember that I am here for you, cheering you on every step of the way.
With all my love,
Mum xxx
Insanely Normal 