Anonymous

Photography by Jalencia Pouge

If you’re reading this, you are enough—just as you are.

For as long as I can remember, I thought my worth was tied to how much I accomplished. If I worked harder, achieved more, or met impossible expectations, then maybe, just maybe, I’d finally feel like I was enough. But the truth is, no milestone, no award, no external validation can define who you are or how valuable you are.

I used to believe I needed to fit into a mold to be worthy of confidence and success. I thought once I reached a certain point, whether it was a perfect GPA, a leadership role, or someone else’s approval, then I could finally allow myself to feel proud. But here’s the thing: waiting for the "right" moment to believe in yourself means you may never get there. Confidence doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from embracing every part of who you are, even the parts you sometimes wish you could change.

We live in a world that constantly tells us to do more, be more, achieve more. It’s easy to look around and compare ourselves to others, to wonder if we measure up. But the most powerful thing you can do is recognize that your journey is uniquely yours. You don’t need to be someone else to be worthy of confidence. You don’t need to have all the answers or prove anything to anyone. You are already enough.

If you’re reading this, I hope you take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come. You’ve survived every challenge, conquered every obstacle, and continued moving forward even when it was hard. That is something to be proud of. And if you’re still figuring things out, that’s okay too, growth is never linear, and you’re not alone.

So, if no one has told you today: you are worthy. You are capable. You deserve to take up space, to be proud of yourself, and to chase your dreams without hesitation. Believe in yourself the way you would believe in a friend. Because the moment you start seeing yourself through that lens, the world opens up in ways you never imagined.

Anonymous, University of South Carolina

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