Let me begin by wishing a heartfelt Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, step-moms, bonus moms, fur-moms, and nurturing mother figures—I see you. 💛
And because you are a woman—a giver, a guide, a source of light in so many lives—today feels like the perfect moment to talk about letting your light shine just a little bit brighter.
And if you’re not a mother? Don’t worry—this message is for you, too. You probably know a mother and every woman deserves to be reminded of her worth and her power.
I’ve learned that when you dare to show up fully as yourself, people will always have something to say.
I’ve been called a lot of things in my life—some whispered behind my back, some spoken loud enough to sting.
“She smiles too much.”
“She’s too confident.”
“She dresses too nicely for a teacher. Who does she think she is?”
“She needs to tone it down.”
“She’s intimidating.”
And once—yes, truly—I was asked to stop wearing skirts because my legs were “causing complaints.”
I’ve been criticized for showing up fully as myself. For speaking up. For shining a little too brightly. For smiling too much.
But here’s what I know to be true:
You can’t dim the light of someone who learned to shine in the dark.
And I’ve had my dark.
- I’ve clawed my way through anxiety and panic disorder.
- I’ve rebuilt my life years ago after a divorce and had a two-month baby.
- I’ve survived heartbreak, betrayal, loss, shame, and every “you’re not enough” that was ever thrown my way.
But I didn’t let it break me.
I let it build me.
Every single scar became a spark.
Every time I was told to be less, I chose to become more.
Every time someone tried to shrink me, I rooted deeper into who I was becoming.
And if I had to guess… maybe you’ve been there too.
Maybe you’ve been told to play it safe.
To quiet your opinions.
To stay in your lane.
To make yourself smaller so others can feel more comfortable.
Let me say this to you as clearly as I can:
Do not dim your light to make others comfortable.
Whether you’re an educator, a leader, a parent, a creative, or someone just trying to hold it all together—your light matters.
You don’t need to apologize for being confident, passionate, outspoken, or ambitious.
You don’t need to shrink to fit someone else’s comfort zone.
Your light might trigger people who haven’t yet given themselves permission to shine.
That’s okay. You’re not responsible for their discomfort.
But you might just inspire them to step into their own power.
And if not? That’s okay, too. They’re probably not your people.
The world doesn’t need more people hiding who they are.
It needs people who are bold. Real. Honest. Alive.
People who speak up, take up space, and lead with courage.
So if you’ve ever been told you’re too much—too loud, too emotional, too confident, too ambitious—hear me now:
You are not too much. You are just enough.
You’re allowed to take up space.
You’re allowed to shine.
You’re allowed to be seen.
Keep showing up.
Keep trusting your voice.
Keep being YOU.
Because someone out there is watching… and deciding it’s finally time they shine, too.
With joy,
JUNE LIVE/VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
JULY LIVE/VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
