When I was a child, I pretended that Cheetos were carrots. I didn’t like carrots, but I did like Cheetos. My mom had the fair rule that I had to eat one fruit or vegetable a day. Because the resemblance was uncanny to my innocent eyes, the switch and therefore deception didn’t seem so drastic. I probably wasn’t the only child to do this. But it hasn’t stopped there.

Now I join with most of our generation as we keep pretending.

We pretend that we are texting our friends so we mask the feeling of loneliness in a crowded hallway.

We pretend that we have plans on the weekend so we don’t see the face of our classmate as they pity us.

We pretend that we are alive when we are dying on the inside.

Instead of telling ourselves the truth: “I don’t like carrots” or “I feel like I have no friends” we convince our mind and those around us that everything is fine. That this is just the way life is.

And we leave it that way.

I used to not like carrots. But I didn’t leave it that way. I tried carrots with different things until I found a pairing that works. I tried cooked carrots and raw carrots. I tried carrots with ranch dressing and hummus. I tried carrots with almond butter and peanut butter. Eventually, I found multiple ways in which I liked to eat carrots.

Self confidence is much like trying carrots. It isn’t a switch that can be turned on or off. It is a growing habit that eventually stays in position. I didn’t enjoy eating carrots until I found something that I like it with. I didn’t enjoy being alone in a hallway until I learned to look up at people’s faces and see that they were alone too.

We are not alone in our struggle. We all inhabit the same world, which fosters the same insecurities. And we can overcome our similar insecurities, together. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][divider line_type=”Full Width Line”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Staff Insecurities:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][testimonial_slider][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443447770-1-75″ name=”Shreya Rao” quote=” I feel most vulnerable when I don’t feel like I look my best or if I am not around people I know. I regret being shy when I was younger because that stopped me from doing different activities and doing things with my friends.”] Click the edit button to add your testimonial. [/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443447770-2-0″ name=”Olivia Bragg” quote=”I feel most vulnerable when I sing in front of people. My breath catches and my heartbeat quickens and it’s just an overall insecure and vulnerable moment, especially when in front of the entire class. I regret not meeting more people in my class sooner. “] Click the edit button to add your testimonial. [/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443448222077-0-10″ name=”Maleeha Ahmad” quote=”I don’t actually remember a time when I deeply felt insecure. I have a wonderful ability to stop caring when something bothers me. If it’s important, then I try my best to solve whatever is causing the problem.”][/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443448300576-0-7″ name=”Megan Oosthuizen” quote=”I feel like I’m insecure about most things. What people think, what I’m doing with my life, my appearance. I regret not breaking out of my shell sooner, embracing my insecurities instead of hiding them. I guess it’s true when they say, “fake it until you make it,“ because that’s how I got to where I am today. “][/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443448425206-0-7″ name=”Spencer Goff” quote=”I feel most insecure about the parts of my body that I can’t see. The back of my head, my profile, my body as seen from someone else. I put so much energy into manipulating the way I look, trying to look the best I can, but I know there are aspects of my appearance that I can’t control. They say that the way you see yourself in the mirror isn’t how people see you in reality. That’s terrifying. How can I tackle my own insecurities when I don’t even know how I look to other people? “][/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443448532602-0-0″ name=”Lincoln Chambers ” quote=”I struggle most with insecurities particularly when they are pointed out in public or in a group of friends. I feel exposed in these situations and especially for someone like me who doesn’t take to criticism well, it can demoralize self esteem. Subjection to insults or ridicule is at it’s worst when it’s in front of numerous people. Aside from that, I don’t often feel vulnerable. I most regret letting what people say get to my head. It happens from time to time, and as much I try to limit it, it’s hard to stop altogether. “][/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443448577312-0-1″ name=”Jacob Bray” quote=”My biggest insecurity is my athletic ability. Because I look outwardly “nerdy,“ people assume I’m awful at sports, and I get made fun of for it, even though I’m pretty talented and work out a lot.”][/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443448603119-0-2″ name=”Caryn Corliss” quote=” My biggest insecurity would honestly be my stomach. I have battled with it for years, even when I was a little girl it stuck out which, when it’s on a little kid that’s kind of cute, like a cherub, but you know. And the shape of my back growing up, with the scoliosis I was arched forward which only highlighted that. I’ve spent so much planning and energy trying to stay svelte and flat bellied, and it’s a battle. I feel a lot happier when I just accept the fact that my stomach will never be flat. For now, I just try to be healthy. “][/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443448635308-0-6″ name=”Syeda Rizvi” quote=”I always regret it when I get angry and say things I don’t mean. I hate coming off as someone I’m not. “][/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443448679082-0-7″ name=”Jimmy Muncy” quote=”I usually feel most vulnerable when I have to do public speaking. Normally, that doesn’t scare me, but sometimes my voice cracks and that really sucks. So I’m always slightly nervous that it’ll happen.I think the thing I most regret is that I don’t say things to people, even if they’re important. I’m pretty non-confrontational, so I’ve left things unsaid with several people that I wish I hadn’t.”][/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443448703534-0-1″ name=”Ariana Campbell ” quote=”I am a perfectionist. It sounds pretentious, like something one of those people says to let everyone know they are amazing and absolutely perfect at everything. That’s not true, though-at least not for me. Whenever I do or write something, no matter how hard I worked or how much time I spent doing it, it’s never good enough. I am a terrible procrastinator. I put things off out of fear that nothing will ever be good enough. It’s becoming a problem.”][/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1443448706070-0-7″ name=”Tatiana Calzado” quote=”I sometime feel like I annoy people and that I’m not exactly wanted around. It sucks because I’m constantly feeling like they wish I wasn’t around. It’s hard getting over it since I kind of have that paranoia in the back of my mind. I sometimes feel like I’m not smart enough sometimes- I see that pretty much anyone around me are making grades way better than I am. I try not to compare myself because I know that I am doing the best that I can.I sometimes feel insecure about body image but I wouldn’t consider that a major insecurity. I’ve started feeling confident and not worrying so much about this insecurity because I could only love the way God made me. “][/testimonial][/testimonial_slider][/vc_column][/vc_row]