I’ll never forget standing in front of a dozen or so schools, giving a summary of my final argument during the inter-school debate competition in Mombasa. The year was 1998. I was a scrawny fourteen year-old who had been picked on every so often, especially because of my unusually deep voice and yet here I was, standing in front of classmates, parents and teachers, using my voice to speak on global issues! I won the debate and would go on to appreciate and use my voice for years to come.
While I’ve come a long way since being the girl dubbed ‘frog voice’, I certainly have my self-doubt moments. Am I a good enough mother, wife, friend, worker? On the upside, I now worry less about people perceptions of me and more about whether I’m being intentional enough in my life journey.
Yes,I have battled my own share of insecurities. I think we all have. The problem with lacking confidence is that it ultimately holds you back from doing anything, including taking the all-important first step. Starting a business venture, telling someone how you feel, expanding your horizons.
We can never be sure that what we’re setting out to achieve will work out the way we want it to. Sometimes it flops in your face. But what if you make confidence intentional? If you decide there is no other choice but to BE confident? To take that first step anyway, despite what may come your way?
This week I feel like I’m writing my posts down not only to speak to someone who may be getting in their own way, but in a sense, speaking to myself! What if we decided to embrace possibilities instead of mulling over impossibilities? If we dared to go after what we wanted instead of being held hostage by the fear of what the outcome could be? Here’s to the week of possibilities and the steps we can take to move forward. Together. Let’s own the week! ??
Picture Stories
We shot these images in the backyard of the Westwood Hotel (http://westwoodhotelkenya.com); picturesque and fitting for my season of reflection.
Photography: @mosmwaniki
Styling: @iamladymandy
Dress: @kwesh.ug for @kungarakenya
Accessories: Maasai Market
Make up: @rosentongondu
Hair: @lennyngugi
36 comments
Caroline Nash
January 23, 2017 at 10:25 am
Wauh! what an inspiration to start the Week! Been taken aback by this fear Bt frm today henceforth, no other choice Bt to b confident in any decision I Make! God bless u Janet!
Janet Mbugua
January 23, 2017 at 4:01 pm
God bless you too Caroline! It’s not easy but has to be done, right? Keep at it! Cheering you on ???
TB Loise
January 23, 2017 at 11:33 am
Great Great Piece…
Janet Mbugua
January 23, 2017 at 4:00 pm
Thanks Loise, bless you ??
Fiona nereah
January 23, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Spot on Janet!! I have been wanting to talk a very good friend of mine we fell out last year….. I heard she’s been going through some tough times and she really needs help remembered yesterday’s preaching was about being your brother’s keeper couldn’t stop thinking about this sister of mine and how we should mend fences your piece has just hit home for me it doesn’t matter what the end result will be as long as you overcome the fear that you have and just get it done so am planning to call her so that we can have a chat whichever way it goes it’s fine…. Thanks Janet.
Janet Mbugua
January 23, 2017 at 3:59 pm
I’m really happy to hear that Fiona! Wishing you all the very best as you try to mend fences; I’m glad to see you’re taking that courageous step! Good on you, let me know how it goes! ??❤
Naomi
January 23, 2017 at 1:57 pm
I feel like you just talked to me. I’m gonna take just 30 seconds of insane courage and friend request a guy I like on Facebook and see how it turns out to be.
Janet Mbugua
January 23, 2017 at 7:09 pm
Wishing you the very best Naomi!
Valerie
January 23, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Hello Janet!this is such an inspiration for me…I have so many things that I love doing that I can turn into a business but the fear of the unkown prevents me from doing it….but its good to receive such encouraging words….I’ll definitely start working on them without looking back
BTW,I have that unusually deep voice and I was teased a lot when I was young too..but I chose to appreciate the way God created me and I see it as a strength nowadays..you speak to so many people through your posts Janet..much love?God bless??
Janet Mbugua
January 23, 2017 at 7:11 pm
Oh wow! You too? Man it’s rough having this voice when you’re young but as you get older and begin to appreciate it, that’s when it all works out. I’m glad you’re encouraged by my post and hope you go for your dreams with all your heart and soul! Bless you ???
Mercy
January 23, 2017 at 6:12 pm
Actually ,this what has been happening to me,but i decide to be confident,whatever comes my way.Many times i ask myself lots of questions,but i dare to go after what i want in my life.May God bless you Janet.You are a source of Inspiration to me.Blessings!!
Janet Mbugua
January 23, 2017 at 7:08 pm
I’m rooting for you Mercy, because it’s only by trying that you’ll know what the possibilties are. Thank you for sharing your feedback and God bless you abundantly!
Jacinta Wambui
January 23, 2017 at 9:58 pm
Just when I have began the year by resolving to gain more confidence and getting things done, I see your post on the same, God is truly using you to speak to me and many others sailing in the same boat… Thank you Janet and may God bless you abundantly…
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 8:13 am
God bless you abundantly my dear. Thank you for your message! Be inspired, be courageous ❤❤
Priscilla Misaki
January 24, 2017 at 1:05 am
This is beautiful.I have also battled my own share of insecurities and just getting to that place where I am rebuilding my confidence back up and living a more intentional life. priscillamisaki.com
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 8:13 am
I hear you Priscilla; I think it takes some time before we’re able to fully appreciate that we are capable of doing whatever we set our minds too. I just hope we can all move past the fears and insecurities that can hold us back! Bless you and all the best with everything you set out to achieve ❤❤
Njema Rispher
January 24, 2017 at 10:26 am
Wish you knew how much i need this repeated…be confident!Janet you such an inspiration…i love it …God bless you
Am one looking up to you!
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Thank you Njema! I’m so happy to hear that my words have spoken to you today! Wishing you the best. God bless! ?
Joyce Mwangi
January 24, 2017 at 2:01 pm
Hi Janet, very inspiring to young ladies out there, May the Almighty Bless and Watch you always. Love you Janet!
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Thank you dear! If I can inspire even one person then that gives me joy. Much love and God bless you big!
Faith mwende
January 24, 2017 at 3:34 pm
Sometimes when we try the impossibilities it always end up badly…. Myself I just give up and then get into the fear of doing somethings…. But you have inspired me…. I will fight and get what I want… Thank you Janet… Always my humble woman
Perry
January 24, 2017 at 4:00 pm
you just don know how you inspire me Janet Mbugua… Thank you for encouraging me i always have that fear in me about the outcome n just end up not achieving, am really working on it this year..
liz kanyi
January 24, 2017 at 5:02 pm
You remind me when i was participating a public speaking competition in high school,gosh!people booooed at me but i took three place out of so many contestants…in some instances I just putted on that confidence and things turned well in most of them…intentional confidence I like it
liz kanyi
January 24, 2017 at 5:04 pm
*Third place
Janet Mbugua
January 25, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Yeees Liz! Intentional confidence!!It’s the only way. Big up to you! Keep winning ??❤
Kate Karimi
January 25, 2017 at 11:54 am
I keep reading this over and over again. at the moment am trying to be confident in things that i do but on the other hand something tries to pull me back. am looking forward to one day say am that confident. you are my role model Janet.
Janet Mbugua
January 25, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Oh bless you Kate. Trust me I know how you feel but you just have to push past the negative voices in your head. They’re lying to you. Read scripture, read inspirational pieces. Begin the journey of self-acceptance. Wishing you well my dear ❤
Beatrice Kuyia
January 25, 2017 at 10:42 pm
Wow i think the guy I’m dating needs to read this article… I feel for him sometimes having been let down so many times even by his own family that his confidence is zero… It’s only by trying that we get to know where the possibilities are…that’s my take home….i have issues too but reading this inspires me a great deal… Bless you Janet… You may not know how many lives your touching out there… ?
Janet Mbugua
January 26, 2017 at 7:01 am
Thank you Beatrice and how kind of you to walk with someone whose confidence is low. I pray he finds it in him to love himself again so that he can love you better. Be blessed dear ❤
wairimu randa
January 26, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Am in a venture to start my own business and its seems all odds are working against me,but every time I wake up in the morning I remember my mum’s words you can do anything else but giving up is not an option and so I hold my head way up even when I know sometimes its hard.God bless you janet
Janet Mbugua
January 27, 2017 at 6:13 am
I love your mums words dear. Giving up it not an option! I had to really practice that and I’m looking to bigger things ahead as I take on life with new purpose. Thanks for sharing your words ans God bless you ?❤
Christine
January 27, 2017 at 5:27 pm
I am such a quitter which works for my down fall every time. This year I am taking baby steps of giving everything whatever i start my all without giving up
https://christietina.wordpress.com/
Treasa Mbeka
January 29, 2017 at 3:42 pm
Love! Never let such words come out of your mouth again. You are what you speak , rebuke that because you are definitely not a quitter. No one is. We all have flaws , we might be sad about them but we should never brjnf ourselves down, because if you don’t uplift yourself , who will!!
esther ngige
January 27, 2017 at 5:28 pm
BE CONFIDENT. yea before going through your blog i was lying down in my bed many thoughts running down my head on what really pulls me back to doing what that voice behind my head tells me i can then i remembered that lying down and mourning wont help and you can be sure the first person to search for was JANET MBUGUA BLOG POST. and here i am lucky to have come through this inspiring blog. i need this magic word repeated to me over and over to me. and am going to own the week by pushing through my plan of going to a studio have my voice recorded and audition for radio vacance. no turning back.lol
Janet Mbugua
January 27, 2017 at 7:14 pm
Much love to you Esther. We all have those days but you decided to do something to get you out of the funk so kudos to you! Keep your head up dear, it’ll work out ❤❤❤
felister
February 3, 2017 at 8:08 pm
life is a small gap between birth and death..so lets all become confident now and be happy..thank you janet..i love all your blogs