Rianah - The Humble Brag FINAL

The speaker reflects on their accomplishments and the importance of betting on oneself. They discuss their journey into freelancing, designing a magazine, and being paid as a panelist. They also address the impact of others' opinions on their perception of their career and the power of affirmation. The speaker shares a valuable lesson from their mother about not seeking validation from others. They emphasize the importance of pursuing passions and finding joy, regardless of others' opinions. The speaker encourages celebrating achievements and being unapologetic about them. It's a humble brag. It's incredible what can happen in the space of a year, the things you're able to achieve when you say, fuck it, to even the most microscopic iota of self-doubt. I took the daunting plunge of betting on myself and going freelance last year. I designed my first magazine, of which I'm also a co-editor. I was paid as a panelist to speak about being a creative. This was a big one. For a while, I gaslit myself into thinking none of it was that big of a deal, mainly because there were people in my life who found it difficult to see creative work as, quote, real work or a, quote, real job. Their outlook slowly triggered into my own perception of my career and subsequently stunted my growth without me realizing it. I have always thought of myself as someone who couldn't give a flying fuck about what anyone thinks when it comes to my passions. I'd guided them so tightly that they felt impenetrable, but I underestimated how impactful affirmation from your loved ones truly is, how cutting it can be when you don't receive it. When I was a child, I came home one day in a thread of tears because someone in my class had said quite bluntly that they didn't like me. My mother held my tear-soaked cheeks in her hands and told me the most valuable sentence that I've since carried with me for my entire life, quote, not everyone will, and that's perfectly okay. Resting the weighty responsibility of measuring your value in the hands of strangers is a fool's game because the scales are broken to begin with. The goal isn't to be liked or admired, but to live an unburdened life where you pursue your passions simply because it brings you joy. If anyone likes it, that's a bonus. There's an alternate version of me somewhere, filled with regret, wondering whether she could have done something like this if she took the plunge, and I'm eternally grateful to my past self for doing it. My takeaway from everything I dared to accomplish last year is that whether everyone or no one is watching, the art I put out into the world is important because I deem it so. I know it can sometimes seem quite gash to be boastful or proud of your achievements, but please take this as a sign that anything you've done that feels significant is significant. Don't waste time being modest in celebrating it. Be vocal, enthusiastic, and unabashedly loud about all of it.