Today I’m joining in with a new linkup hosted by Smitha at Running with SD, Linzie at Sharp Endurance and Carlee at Carlee McDot. The purpose of the linkup is to share our triumphs and I was super inspired by this challenge. When I was thinking about this prompt and realized that one of the most important triumphs a person can have is truly being comfortable in their own skin. It’s not only a triumph, it’s a blessing.
I’m not sure where exactly it came from, but sometime between the ages of 27 and 30, I really started being completely confident in who I am. I credit some of it with maturity, some of it with my strongly rooted faith and some of it is just something inside of me, I guess. It’s so easy to fall into the comparison trap and think that everything would be better if you only had what someone else has. I used to spend so much time worrying about what others think. And these days, I just don’t. I know who I am and I like who I am. That’s not to say that I don’t get it wrong sometimes. I do. A lot, actually. Sometimes I’m mean to my husband, sometimes I’m not gracious with my friends, sometimes I ignore phone calls because I just don’t want to talk. Sometimes I’m selfish. All of those things are true. But.
I am also kind and have a big heart and love my friends and family. I know all these things about me and being secure in the knowledge of who I am is one of the greatest triumphs I’ve ever experienced. I read stories like the espn coverage of the young U Penn runner who took her own life in part because she was sad that her life wasn’t measuring up to the lives she saw of her friends on Instagram and I’m saddened. I realize just how much of a triumph it is to be comfortable with who you are and I don’t take that for granted.
I love the quote that I posted above because so much of being uncomfortable is related to fear. Fear of what people will think, fear of what will happen if you show the world who you really are, fear of {fill in the blank}. I believe that until you confront that fear and move past it, you will never live the life you’ve been called to live. Whether it be related to fitness, your relationships, your career or any area in your life, facing fear is what truly moves you forward and allows you to grow. There are a number of things that scare me (right now on the top of the list is thinking about the possibility of having children sometime in the next couple years) and I know that there will always be fear. However, knowing and loving who I am goes a long way in me being able to deal with fear and not let it overcome me.
Thanks again to Carlee, Linzie and Smitha for hosting this linkup!
Do you feel like you are comfortable in your own skin and like the person you’ve become?
YES! THIS! I am still working on this daily (it is definitely a battle for me), but hopefully one day I will be able to write a post like this – truly loving myself!
Carlee recently posted…Thursday Triumph: Rest
it has taken a LONG time for me to get here but once you do, it’s amazing! 🙂
It took me a long time to feel comfortable in my skin. That’s why I love my late 30s so much more than my 20s. Thanks so much for linking up!!
I agree that 30s>20s all the way 🙂 Thanks for hosting!
Great post ! I am very self confidence in general but there are moments in life where we do question what we do… but I think being true to yourself, and accepting who you are and what you want goes a long way in being comfortable in your skin. Bravo ! for the post !
karen – Fit in France recently posted…2016 Paris Marathon prep : First month
Absolutely – you summed it up perfectly, Karen! And being comfortable in your own skin is such a great way to live 🙂
Nope, not always, but more than I used to so I guess that’s good, right?!? 😉 I’m working on it, at least, so I think that’s a triumph; I do think that age plays a role in my own level of comfort. Like you’ve mentioned, I just don’t care nearly as much as I used to about what others think! Great post, Courtney; thank you!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
age has definitely helped me grow in this area – perspective is so different at 32 then at 22, right? 🙂 of course it’s not perfect, but i accept that too 🙂
I didn’t for a long time, but slowly grew into who I am. I think the joy that I have gained from running over the past 6 years has really had a positive impact on my confidence and ability to look beyond fear.
Thank you for sharing! Really enjoyed this post.
Bradley recently posted…Thursday Triumph – The Half
that’s awesome, bradley! i’ve gained much from running as well 🙂 mentally, physically and emotionally!
I have no words except ABSOLUTELY THIS!!!!!!!! This was amazing. Thank you so much for this post!
Linz @SharpEndurance recently posted…Thursday Triumph Whoo’s In El Moro 25K
I think as we age it is easier to become more comfortable with who we are. It takes lots of work doesn’t it? I hope I am modeling to my daughter how to do this for herself.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…BK Creamery Dairy Cream Is Coming My Way
Once we find out who we are in Christ, nothing is impossible!! So happy for you! I will have to join this link up next week! 🙂
Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee recently posted…Thinking Out Loud Thursday #11
I like this prompt! I am so much more confident and comfortable in my 30s than I was my entire life. I think it has to do with experience, but also for me, when I realized my true passions in life, nothing else mattered.
Michelle recently posted…6 Uniquely Delicious Mashed Banana Oatmeal Cookies
You know, I finally found my confidence in my late 20s. Probably for the same reasons you mentioned. That suicide story is beyond tragic and I pray a message of what true beauty, success, and confidence looks like really comes out of it. We, women especially, tend to put too much “perfect” pressure on ourselves. That’s one reason I fell in love with running, it taught me how to truly love my body.
Jess@ flying feet recently posted…Thinking Out Loud Thursday…Maybe It Was the Popcorn and Chocolate.
I’m still fearful for a lot of things. I know I’m a little bit more confident in myself than I used to be. But there’s still things I’m scared to do. Like run a marathon and have kids (after so many years of trying I’m still scared to be a mom). But I’m working on those fears, because doubt/fear can’t be in your mind with faith. So I’m training for my marathon, and I’m working on trusting God with having kids. 🙂 thanks for the post!
Oh, I love your comment! I just heard a great speaker say the same thing about fear and faith! Love that!