Radio presenter, Wana Udobang has narrated how she suffered low
confidence as a result of certain experiences as a child that went on to
affect her.She said she was bullied due to her weight and it made her
hesitant to take on certain roles because her self-confidence was low.
The absence of her parents didn't help either. She said it wasn't until
she got to her 30s that she realized that confidence is everything.She
went on to advise parents on how to help build their kids' self-worth
using her experience.She wrote:The one realisation i had in my 30s was
that confidence is everything.I am a late bloomer so bear with me. My
two main sources of low confidence growing up were being fat and
parental absense. I had grown up with names from obrokoto Nigerian
football to Wana Opoto. As you know my people are not very tactful when
they say things to children, it isn't news that you grow up believing
you need fixing. The thing is you never realise how much these
insecurities sip into every area of your life from managing terrible
relationships because you don't think you are worth better to not taking
opportunities because you see yourself as undeserving. You keep telling
yourself that when you have fixed certain things, then you will apply
for that gig, go to that hangout, travel, or wear the things you want or
even take that full length picture.I remember a boyfriend who broke up
with me siting that i was too nice and to be honest he was right because
even when i was upset i acted like i wasn't because i didn't want to
rock the boat. I also recall refusing to take up the television module
whilst at University because i felt no one would ever hire me in front
of the camera. It all sounds odd and sad but those are the things that
can happen and even worse like abuse, loosing your voice and getting
comfortable with being invisible. Then finally complete self erasure.I
think that not everyone is lucky enough to come from a place that
nurtures confidence and so you just have to find it and fight to keep
it. Challenge yourself to keep doing new things however deep, however
frivolous, it is a way for you to connect with yourself one inch at a
time.PS If you are a parent to a chubby kid, just get them involved in
active play from dance to martial arts. If you think they aren't eating
the right things, adjust the whole family diet not just theirs. Please
don't pass on your insecurities as inheriatance. If you can raise your
children to be confident and self reliant, you have done a pretty good
job.If you are reading this, supertall, thin, fat, short, darkskinned
and everything else inbetween, just know that you do not need
fixing.#mirrorselfiechronicles #selflove #meditations
