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I remember the first time I held you, my daughter, in my arms. It seems like just yesterday. But years have passed, and you’re about to begin a new chapter in your life. The world is beautiful, but there are parts of it that are scary. I wish I could always be there to guard and protect you, but I know that you too have to learn life for what it is — and you cannot always be in my shadow. I have so much faith in you, and I truly believe that you are well-equipped to be a beautiful, confident woman. There are a few things I want you to always remember:
Perfection Is Overrated
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There might be a lot of pressure on you to be perfect, but here’s what I want you to know — it is okay to make mistakes. To err is human. I have had my fair share of failures, and I’ve successfully overcome them. I am proud of your wins and your losses. Your losses, too, can teach you precious lessons. Here’s what I also want you to know — once is a mistake, twice is a choice. Learn from your mistakes, but don’t repeat them.
You Don’t Always Have To Be Nice
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For some reason, society expects women to be nice all the time. It doesn’t matter if you’re at the receiving end of unpleasant things — you’re expected to smile graciously and accept all that falls in your path. I want to tell you that it is entirely acceptable to be your own woman. If you’re not comfortable with that boy who has been nagging you for a while now, go ahead and tell him off. If you’ve been dealt with the wrong cards, go ahead and make your voice heard. Not being nice doesn’t mean you go around town being rude and inhumane. It simply means that you get to walk out if people are not treating you right.
Learn To Say ‘No’
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It’s funny how women are often unheard when they say ‘no’. It’s time you change that. You must learn to say ‘no’. You will come across several situations where it might be scary to say no, but if you know in your heart that it is not what you want, then go ahead and say it. It’s shocking how a word of just two letters holds so much power, but it does. But before you learn to say it, I want you to understand that it is okay to say it. You might lose people, relationships, and opportunities along the way, but if it is the right thing to do, then you haven’t lost anything.
You Are Everything Beautiful, And More
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You’re at an age where beauty is questioned. You probably have doubts about the way you look, the way you speak, the way you walk, and pretty much everything else. But here’s a promise — you are so gorgeous, inside and out. You’re at the threshold of womanhood, and you’ve come a long way. From the little munchkin wrapped in swaddling clothes to the beautiful young woman you’re about to become, I am so proud of you. I know in my heart that the girls your age are fully capable of lifting their heads high and walking through life like strong, confident women do.
There is just one person in this world that you have to impress, and that is yourself. Go ahead and discover your passion — the world is waiting for you. And to all the mothers out there like me, I know it’s hard.
They’ll always be our little girls, and we’ll always want to keep them close and safe, but every little birdie has to leave her nest someday. We’ve nurtured them well — they’ll be fine.
Have you been proud of the way your little girl has turned out? Is there something special you would like to tell Gen Z girls about becoming confident women of tomorrow? Let us know in the comments below!
