Years ago, I made a commitment to work on judgment—not just in how I saw others, but especially in how I judged myself. Let me tell you, this is a vulnerable topic and wasn’t an easy task or a simple switch I could just flip on or off. The more I practiced self-awareness, the more I began to see judgment for what it truly is: a reflection of my own fears, insecurities, and old patterns of conditioning. Judgment often isn’t rooted in reality but in our fears of not being enough and not meeting the expectations of others. I felt this to be 100% true within myself and knew I had to ask myself: why was I hiding behind the fear of what others might think? And… Why was I constantly seeking their approval, even when it didn’t align with my true self?

As I began to challenge these thoughts, I discovered the incredible power behind self-compassion. I started treating myself with the same kindness I would offer a close friend. I also made a conscious effort to surround myself with people who uplift and inspire me. This decision was HUGE for me, especially after coming from a past where I often played the fixer-upper among a sea of takers. Choosing to shift to a more positive inner circle of relationships provided me with the support and courage to stay true to my values, even when doubt tried its best to creep in.

What I realized was that I wasn’t judging others nearly as harshly as I was judging myself. It became clear that the more I worried about external opinions, the more I held myself back from fully embracing who I truly am. I wasn’t standing in my own power!

What I’ve discovered along the way is that the key isn’t to eliminate judgment from our journey; as humans, that would be an almost impossible task—speaking for myself here—but rather to learn how to rise above it. The less you care about external opinions, the more you’ll embrace what truly matters—your true self. We all have so much to offer the world, and our authenticity is our superpower.

Every step we take toward silencing the voices of judgment, both external and internal, is a step closer to living in alignment with our highest self. The journey to embracing who we truly are may not always be easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding paths we can walk. Don’t let the fear of judgment dim your light. The world needs the real you, with all of your unique gifts, your voice, and your heart. Keep rising above, keep shining, and know that your authenticity is your greatest strength.