Hello beautiful people. As I scrolled through Instagram recently, I stumbled upon a comment under Vekee James' post that left me taken aback. Someone said she was "doing too much" and "flaunting" her success. Take, for example, her recent grand anniversary party. Some of us might have thought, "Why the fuss? Why the grand celebration?"
In that moment, I felt a pang of recognition. How many times have we been silenced, told to dim our light, to hide our accomplishments? How many times have we been made to feel guilty for being proud of ourselves?
We see the results we don't see what happens backend. Maybe, like one of those commentators, some of us must have thought the same thing.
But here's the thing: you have no idea what Vekee James, or anyone else, has gone through to get to where they are. You have no idea what sacrifices they've made, what struggles they've overcome. We live in a world where expectations are suffocating. We're expected to only be humble and to never, ever celebrate our successes too loudly. We're expected to downplay our achievements, to pretend that they're no big deal.
But what's wrong with being proud of ourselves?
UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME & YOU
With your imagination and experiences in the past, think of yourself this way...I will not apologize for:
Being intelligent and insightful: I spent countless nights studying, working hard, and pushing myself to be better. Sorry, you don't know like I know, I won't be apologetic.
Having a thriving career or business: I poured my heart and soul into building something from scratch. I worked tirelessly, made sacrifices, generated capital, took loans and took risks. Sorry, you don't know like I know, I won't be apologetic.
Enjoying a fulfilling relationship or marriage: When Emma broke my heart I (cried,crewed and crode), when Ibrahim cheated on me countless times, you had no idea, when I had to put up with physical abuse, weathered storms, survived terrible heartbreaks, and rose above the ashes. I know what it means to find true love, get married and be happy. Sorry, you don't know like I know, I won't be apologetic.
Having a healthy and strong body: Being called too fat, too thin, too petite, I fought for every rep, every set, and every sweat drop. Waking up 4:30am daily to gym, I know what it means to push my body to its limits. Sorry, you don't know like I know, I won't be apologetic.
Making time for self-care: When I order the fattest lap of fried Turkey and I book the most expensive spa and Therapy section, to take care of myself. I know what it means to put myself first and heal from those nights I had to sleep with just garri as one square meal or the countless nights I return with no one to fix my weak bones. Sorry, you don't know like I know, I won't be apologetic.
My achievements are like my favorite shoes – I've worked hard for them, and I'm not apologizing for wearing them proudly
To every person who has ever felt shamed, silenced, or diminished, I see you.
The number of my scars are synonymous to the number of my victories. That the reason why my praise, my celebration, my story can never be the same as yours. So excuse me if I don't behave or conform to the stereotypes you have defined.
I am unapologetically me.
Be humble, but be UNAPOLOGETIC.
