My Life, My Story
From Self-Doubt to Strength: One Woman's Journey to Believing in Herself
To say that I am an inspiration to others doesn't really resonate with me, and it's hard for me to even believe it.
To me, I am just Stephanie Hunter, an only child who grew up knowing she was loved very much. My sweet mama would say, "Yes, she is spoiled, but spoiled with love." That was her motto, and for good reason.
Mama grew up believing she was a burden to others for much of her life, and she never wanted her child to feel that way. Because of that, she decided that no day would pass without a hug or an "I love you."
Mama was the kind of person everyone loved because of her amazing personality. She never met a stranger and loved everyone she encountered. She wanted others to feel the love she hadn't always felt herself. Unfortunately, she often put herself last and never complained about anything. She always had a smile on her face and hugged each person with genuine care. You could feel the love radiating from her. She was, and always will be, my role model.
Growing up, like many children, I was bullied for my looks, my clothes, and anything else others could find that they thought was wrong with me. It hurt. Yes, it cut to the bone.
My mama would say, "Stephanie, they are just jealous of you. You are beautiful inside and out, and they are jealous." Even though she would say those things, my self-esteem was always very low, and, if I'm being honest, it still is today. That is one of the things I have to work on each and every day.
Perhaps that is why I struggle to see myself as an inspiration to others.
Throughout My Life, There Have Been Many Challenges Along the Way
These challenges have included struggles with weight, self-esteem, self-doubt, self-worth, anxiety, depression, and OCD. These are things I deal with on a daily basis. You may see a self-confident person who looks like she has it all together, but I often see someone who doesn't.
I work hard every single day to continue growing and learning to love myself. It isn't easy, but it is necessary.
My life is far from perfect, but whose life is? I make mistakes, but I learn from them. That is how I grow, and I believe that is how it should be.
Today, my life is very different from what it was just over a year ago. I have come so far from where I once was and have learned more about myself and what I am capable of. I have achieved things I once believed were impossible.
Not only because of the bullying I experienced when I was younger, but also because of society and others who didn't want me to grow or succeed, I doubted myself for far too long. To those people, I have only one thing to say:
Look at me now!
To those who have dealt with these struggles and continue to do so, please don't let them control you the way I allowed them to control me. They do not define you. In fact, they can make you stronger—not only for yourself but also for the people around you.
Don't allow the negativity and belittling of others to keep you from pursuing what you want to do. Each day is special. It is another opportunity to change the world with one word, one sentence, or even one small act of kindness.
What you do matters.
Nothing else.
Be yourself, not who someone else wants you to be. If people don't like it, then they are not meant to be part of your life. Don't let them weigh you down.
I hope this can help other women who feel, or have felt, this way. To the younger generation—and to anyone else who needs to hear it—you matter, and you can do it. Don't let others make your decisions for you.
Pray hard, work hard, and keep the faith.
Know that God loves you, and so do I.
