Becoming Confident In Your Own Skin
Becoming confident in your own skin is an achievement that everybody on this planet strives for, and only a handful achieve. We spoke to the beautiful Shannon about self-confidence and the positive impact that her platform has had on building confidence. For those who don’t follow Shannon, she is a disability activist born with a limb difference who uses her platform to educate and break down the stigma attached to being different. We asked Shannon a few Qs about confidence and positivity.
I’m a Yorkshire gal in my mid-twenties hoping to make even just a tiny difference in this world. I currently work in the legal sector and create content in my spare time! My Instagram gained an audience completely unexpectedly after the #notawitch movement following some videos and photos I posted! As I gained more followers, more people messaged me about how my content had helped them with their confidence and it just encouraged me to post more because it felt amazing to know I was having a positive impact on someone else’s life.
Overcoming the negative feelings with the positive is a hard thing to do, and it’s definitely not an overnight remedy. I have the mindset that we only have 1 life that seems to go by so quickly, so why spend that life hating ourselves and obsessing over other people's opinions on things out of our control? When I’m overwhelmed, that mindset really helps!
On celebrating Disability Pride and whether or not self-confidence is connected…
Absolutely. I think if you’re proud of who you are and not scared to show your differences, then the self-confidence just radiates from you - fake it until you make it, and you’ll eventually start to feel it!
When it comes to choosing an outfit, you feel confident in just thinking about how it makes you feel rather than worrying about what you think other people might think about it. If it makes you feel great and the only thing that’s stopping you is the fear of other people's opinions then go for it, we shouldn’t have to water ourselves down to please others!
READ ON: Liberare inspired outfits for the season.
The way I respond to criticism and opinions is by thinking that everyone is entitled to an opinion, of course, but it’s important to remember that opinions aren’t facts. If someone is speaking negatively of you or thinks a certain way.. that is their problem to deal with rather than yours.
I’ve experienced online abuse and looking back the best way to deal with it is to simply delete and block. Remove the negativity instead of replying and fueling the fire. Do not rise to give the reaction that they’re seeking from you.
I think it’s important to remember that having down days are completely human and we all have them, it doesn’t mean we’ve failed or taken a step back - it's all just part of the journey. Self-care is important, and that looks different for us all. Personally, I like to tidy my surroundings, so I have a clear mind and just take time to rest and pamper. I look back at how far I’ve come and remind myself why I’m on this journey.
For those who struggle with confidence, my best advice is to surround yourself with people who lift you higher and support you. Reach other to others in the community and consume content that motivates you rather than that makes you feel rubbish. I follow a lot of limb difference and disability creators and seeing their confidence really helps mine.
READ ON: Advice on having confidence while disabled.
Finally, if there is anything I could tell my younger self it is that I’m worthy of love and I deserve to feel confident. My disability does not make me less than anyone else, and it’s going to lead to amazing opportunities.
