The world mental anguish is a slippery place to be. The struggle with depression and self doubt usually permeates your mind more than a little bit. The hot stove of feeling accomplished and validated, versus wondering if it’s all a setup is so disturbing. It can be difficult to appreciate just how much the cosmic forces have brought you to a path in life that you dreamed of, that you thought about for many, many years. Hearing your thoughts and dreams as a child and young adult in your head while the movie is playing right before your very eyes. The other side of you is saying, do you really deserve this? Are you really the right person for this dream to be coming to fruition for? See that is the push and pull that one can never really escape. It seems that you are destined to walk the tight rope between believing in yourself and your own dreams, and criticizing yourself because you don’t believe that it’s meant to be for you.

The mind set that I present to you is one that is experienced my millions of people across the world. Hell, maybe even billions. People live with self doubt and confidence issues all the time. Most of times, you never see it in that person. You don’t know the extent of how deep it goes. But, if you’re really close to these individuals, you get to peek behind the curtain to see just how debilitating it really is. To actively wonder if this really real, while you’re in the middle of completing one of most productive and potentially life changing meetings in your life, is kinda normal, but also kinda insane. Who really continuously doubts themselves in the face of consistent positive changes being brought into their life? I guess it really is true that once you’ve been burned by life a number of times, the cynic in you becomes the primary character and the believer in you has to wait for further validation. Then again, maybe that’s just the mind of a person who really struggles with their own self confidence. And let me make sure I’m covering all the bases, it’s not just the professional or family issues that fuck you up. It’s the personal ones with other people that usually tend to do the most damage.

Imagine getting promoted into your first formal leadership role. One that, though you don’t have a million years of experience, you are very well qualified for. Only to be constantly disrespected, belittled, marginalized by the other newly hired manager who is an older Black woman. Your same race, with a child who is in your age range, and instead of her celebrating your accomplishment and reinforcing you at a time of some uncertainty, she is the primary person trying to tear you down and sabotage your opportunity. And to be fair, there was plenty of reinforcement else where and from people who are closer and mean more, but to have a peer that you once looked up to because of their approach dog you out after that accomplishment, it’s like being spat on. Someone taking the oxygen and cutting it off a bit, because not only do you have to fight the Black stigma in Corporate America, but you don’t even have an ally who could fully relate to that struggle.

Why is that one scenario so impactful, because throughout time you have been hit with scenarios similar to that. You have individuals who are suppose to be supporters and reinforcers, only to let you down when things change. Or to fall off, or become a critic when the changes don’t really benefit them anymore. Yes, you are confident enough to carry forward, knowing that your skills and expertise qualify you. That whatever is coming to you in that moment you have more than earned and deserve to have happening to you. But, the heat that comes to you from those you expected to be your advocates is startling and throws you. It leaves a little residual doubt that can build momentum and sit over you, casting a shadow that you must out run. Why would someone want to live with these mental scars tormenting them so frequently? Part of it is motivation and the other part is to remind you. People ain’t shit sometimes. And most times they only want you for what the fuck you can give them. And you do happen to stumble upon a real ass person. You better keep them for as long as their season is. Soak up all the resources that they provide and reciprocate that shit as hard as they give it to you.

I struggle with these demons every day. And the sad part is just as much as I felt high and in the clouds after such a dynamic and positive meeting. The minute I dropped the call my mind went racing and wandering. Questioning if what just happened was real. Wondering why the energy I’ve given in other places isn’t being returned back. Thinking if I’m leaving myself open to be fucked again and I just can’t see it yet. I know, I shouldn’t be thinking like that at this moment. But man, after being fucked over as much as I have, I can’t help but to. A madness that just keeps spinning.

Talk to me