Too sensitive
Too bossy
Too loud
Too emotional…
If you’ve ever had the word “too” weaponized against you, you know how baffling and painful it is. So many women have felt the pain of this three-letter word. I have and I am not allowing it to hurt me anymore. Not now, not today, not ever again. Someone’s hurtful use of the word “too” is now my marching orders to go further in that direction.
It’s brave to be who you are, as you are, in a world that says, “You’re too much” and yet never enough at the same time. Ladies, I am sorry that someone tried to dim your light. I am sorry that someone tried to quiet you down. I am sorry that someone tried to stunt your leadership growth. I am proud of you that you kept shining, kept speaking and kept growing in spite of a world that says confusingly, often at the same time, that “you’re too much,” and will never be enough. I’ve had enough of it, personally.
This International Women’s Month, this is my focus: to reclaim the parts of me that were “too much” and to shush the nonsense monologue in my head that says I’ll never be enough for this romantic partner, or that job, or that level of income. It’s time to kick “too much” and “never enough” out of our lives. They’re two-word poison pills we keep swallowing that stunt our growth, joy and potential.
You are never too much. You are beautiful and brilliant just as you are AND always enough. Wishing you a healing International Women’s Month.
Kristin West 