Hey there. Labels are everywhere. From the time we’re kids, people put them on us, sometimes with good intentions, sometimes to fit us into a box that makes them more comfortable. It’s easy to let those labels stick, to believe them, to let them define who we are. But at the end of the day, the only labels that truly matter are the ones we choose for ourselves.
I know this firsthand….
Growing up, I was called slow. I was called retarded. Those words weren’t just said in passing, they were repeated, reinforced, and cemented into my identity. And it wasn’t just the words; it was the expectations that came with them. I hit developmental milestones late. Crawling, walking, talking, it all took longer for me. And because of that, there was always this underlying message: You're behind. You don't fit in.And I wanted to fit in so badly.
For a long time, I believed the labels that were placed on me. But at some point, I realized I had a choice. I could continue carrying those labels, allowing them to shape my self-perception, or I could define myself on my own terms.
It’s not easy. Even now, there are moments when that little voice creeps in, the one that says, Maybe they were right. It happens when things don’t go the way I planned, when I hit a roadblock, when I feel like I’m not measuring up. That voice is persistent, but here’s what I’ve learned: I don’t have to listen to it.
Instead, I take a step back and remind myself who I really am. I look at the path I’m on, the work I’m doing, and I make a conscious decision to reject the labels that don’t serve me. Because in the end, we all have the power to rewrite our own narratives.
The world conditions us to tear ourselves down, to focus on our flaws, to believe we’re not enough. But I challenge you to do the opposite. Stand in front of the mirror and build yourself up. Choose the labels you wear, and make sure they align with the person you want to be.
You are not the names people called you. You are not the doubts that creep into your mind. You are not defined by the limitations others placed on you.
If this message resonates with you, if you’re ready to take control of your story and work from the inside out, I invite you to join The YLF Experience, a habit-based approach designed to help you build confidence, consistency, and self-trust.