I was a shy girl with big dreams, a few friends and a lot of life obstacles. Life was very tough for me especially at school as I used to hate to participate in class simply because I was shy. My mind was filled with thoughts of fear and dread. So many uncertainties in my life, and even in university, I struggled while watching other students be themselves.

This took a toll on me over the years, and I felt the urge to change myself. How can I change the world when I couldn’t even change myself?

So I went on a self-discovery journey deep within myself to the darkest realms and when I hit rock bottom, I had a breakthrough. The self-discovery took years until I met my mentor who saw something in me and guided me. This breakthrough was so powerful in a way that shaped me like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon. I started doing more for myself and those around me. Never in my life I thought I would stand one day and speak in front of hundreds of people but that happened because I was so determined.

This journey inspired me in a remarkable way. People may assume being shy may make you the weakest link among the peers but that’s wrong. I am confident enough to know when to speak and what to say. I believe in the notion that we cannot let the past control us, but these experiences do solidify our character and can make us impermeable to those who are trying to bring us down.

Our strength is in being ourselves but also discovering ourselves and being constantly open to growth.