Cultivating Confidence : Crown Chronicles

• Sally: my long, straight blonde wig commanded attention. Sharp looks and pondering smiles greeted me in the hallways and during town hall meetings. 
• Bobby: my boardroom-ready bob in jet black elicited the jet-eye-decision-maker energy I needed when vying for stakeholder buy-in. People took me way too seriously in that wig. 
• Brandi: My long Senegalese twists screamed nurturer—mama Africa. My team members always seemed chattier around me when I had her on. 

I ditched the wigs. I shaved what was left of my tresses.

1. Practicing Self-Care:

I prioritized activities that nourished my physical, emotional, and mental well-being. I exercised regularly, got adequate sleep, ate nourishing foods, and took time for relaxation and hobbies that brought me joy. Recommendation: please take care of yourself holistically to boost your self-esteem and confidence.

2. Celebrating Progress:

I acknowledged and celebrated tiny accomplishments, no matter how small they seemed. I recognized my efforts and progress and took pride in getting through chemo, making my doctor’s visits, eating, and exercising despite my challenges. Celebrating milestones helped me reinforce a positive self-image and instill confidence in my ability to succeed. Recommendation: Please journal (create a fake certificate if needed) to remind yourself of your accomplishments. Read about it months or even years later. It will remind you how far you’ve come and how much you can overcome.

3. Saying Affirmations:

I practiced positive self-talk and faith-based affirmations to reinforce my self-worth and capabilities. I reminded myself of my source of strengths, achievements, and past successes and focused on my God-given unique qualities and abilities. Recommendation: Affirm yourself through positive words. Speak positively and listen to positive words (music, movies, podcasts, etc.).