Being Yourself and Winning

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2017 has been a year of victory for many women in the spotlight. We've watched Issa Rae go from being an Awkward Black Girl to an Emmy nominated CoverGirl, Cardi B make history on the charts and Auntie Maxine Waters reclaim her time and ensure her voice - and the voice of the community - is heard. More importantly, we've watched these women and countless others make these strides while being themselves and staying true to who they are.

In the age of RTs and double clicks for likes, it is very hard to be yourself without the worry of facing judgement. One wrong post and one could face harsh ridicule, criticism and even online bullying. It's even harder when you're trying to chase your dreams in the public eye. Everyone is watching what you do, say and post extremely closely and, unfortunately, people will highlight the bad more than they praise the good you have going on. Despite all of this, it is very important to stay true to who you are.

Take Cardi B for example...

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The self proclaimed - and self made - regular degular girl from the Bronx has shown that there is power in being true to yourself and has climbed her way straight to the top. Even with all of her wins this year, she faced a lot of negativity along the way. So much so, that she expressed on her IG videos that she felt like giving up. From comments about her outspokenness, her past working as a stripper and her wanting to enter into the hip hop industry, to her teeth and her appearance, the road has not been easy for our girl. Luckily, she did not let any of that stop her. She stayed true to Cardi and kept working on her craft and it's no secret that her hard work and authenticity paid off. She made history with her number 1 hit Bodak Yellow and even found someone to love her for all that she is. Go Cardi!

And Issa...

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From her Youtube series The Misadventures of AWKWARD Black Girl to her hit HBO series Insecure, Issa has proven that hard work, doing what you love and being true to who you are while doing it will open all the right doors and then some! Seriously, Issa is a prime example of what happens when you don't conform to what people want you to be. In all of her interviews and appearances she is always down to earth, funny and not shy at all to sharing moments and experiences when she didn't have it all together or figured out - and assures that it's okay. From her struggles with acceptance to not feeling black enough at times, Issa has fought hard to be successful and accepted for who she is despite it all. Her hard work and authenticity has taken her to a high level of success and it's safe to say she hasn't even gotten started yet. We see you CoverGirl!

So, being true to yourself isn't all that bad! 

Check out these reasons and tips to be your wonderful self...

1. There will always be someone who can relate. Let's be real, no one person has it all figured out. It's safe to say we are all learning as we go and facing the challenges along the way. Whether you are funny and silly, clumsy, awkward at times and a genius at others, you are not ever alone. The right people will accept you, love you and yes, even hire, for all that you bring to the table. Be yourself, find like-minded people who you relate to and can learn from and flourish! You deserve.
2. People can smell fake. And trust me, it stinks. Authenticity matters in all settings be it casual, social or professional. And even if people do gravitate to you while you are trying to pass off as something other than yourself, eventually they will figure it out and it may cause more damage in the end. It's better to be yourself so the right people can enjoy that exact person.
3. You are amazing! Yes, even when you mess up at times, you are amazing. Remember, no one has it all figured out. What is most important is that you're learning and growing to become even more amazing than you already are. Remind yourself that Rome was not built in a day.

Being true to yourself will take you far is you allow it to! Everyone won't get you, but even more people will love and accept you, flaws and all! And for those who don't, you don't want them around anyway. So, grow, glow and be you, boo!