Self Love & Empowerment
Just Start: The Journey to Self-Love and Empowerment
We’ve all heard the saying, “Flowers don’t bloom without rain.” It might sound cliché, but the truth behind it is undeniable. Growth—real, transformative growth—requires discomfort, challenges, and sometimes, even pain.
Think about the strongest people you know. They didn’t become resilient, confident, or successful by staying in their comfort zones. They got there by facing setbacks, making mistakes, and learning from them. They took risks, even when they were terrified. And that’s exactly what self-love and empowerment require—courage to step into the unknown, despite the fear.
Embrace the Fear
Fear is a natural response to the unknown. But fear should never be a reason to stand still. Instead, use it as fuel.
Take, for example, someone who dreams of switching careers but hesitates out of fear of failure. They might tell themselves they’re not ready, not skilled enough, or that they’ll embarrass themselves. But the truth is, waiting for the "perfect moment" is just another way of avoiding discomfort.
The real growth happens when you take action despite being scared. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. Some of the most successful people in the world started with uncertainty but moved forward anyway. Oprah Winfrey was told she wasn’t fit for television, yet she built an empire. J.K. Rowling faced rejection after rejection before publishing Harry Potter. If they had let fear win, we wouldn’t know their names today.
Set Clear Goals
Empowerment comes from intention. If you want to build self-love and confidence, you have to start with clear goals. What do you want to achieve? Who do you want to become? Whether it’s personal, professional, or emotional growth, having a vision gives you direction.
Let’s say you want to prioritize your mental health. A vague goal like “I want to feel happier” isn’t as effective as “I will practice gratitude daily and go to therapy twice a month.” A clear goal gives you structure and a way to measure your progress.
When you break your dreams into small, achievable steps, they become less overwhelming. A person who wants to run a marathon doesn’t start by running 26 miles overnight. They start with a single mile, then gradually build their endurance. The same applies to any goal—whether it’s healing from past trauma, becoming financially independent, or developing self-confidence.
Surround Yourself with the Right People
The people around you have an incredible influence on your mindset and growth. If you surround yourself with negativity, doubt, and toxicity, it will be harder to believe in yourself. But when you’re in a circle of people who uplift, inspire, and challenge you, you’ll feel encouraged to reach higher.
Think about someone who wants to start a business but is constantly told by friends and family that it's too risky. If they listen to those voices, they might never take the first step. But if they join a network of entrepreneurs who share advice and support, suddenly, their dream seems much more achievable.
Your circle matters. Let go of relationships that drain you or keep you stagnant. Invest in friendships that push you to be better. The right people will remind you of your worth even on the days you forget.
Self-Love is Built Through Action
Self-love isn’t just about thinking positively—it’s about showing up for yourself every day, even when it’s hard.
A woman recovering from a toxic relationship may struggle with self-worth. She may have been told she wasn’t enough, and those words replay in her mind. But self-love is choosing to speak kindly to herself despite those thoughts. It’s looking in the mirror and saying, “I am worthy of love and respect,” even when she doesn’t fully believe it yet.
Self-love is also setting boundaries—learning to say no to things that drain your energy and yes to things that nourish your soul. It’s allowing yourself to rest without guilt. It’s knowing that your value doesn’t depend on your productivity, appearance, or other people’s opinions.
Take the First Step—No Matter How Small
Starting doesn’t have to be grand. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be something.
A person who wants to write a book doesn’t need to have the entire manuscript planned out—they just need to write the first sentence. Someone who wants to get fit doesn’t have to commit to an intense workout routine immediately—just taking a 10-minute walk is enough to build momentum.
The key is to begin. Progress happens when you move, even if it’s just one step at a time.
You Deserve to Bloom
The journey to self-love and empowerment isn’t easy, but it is worth it. You will have moments of doubt. You will have days when you want to quit. But remember—flowers don’t bloom without rain. Your struggles are shaping you into something beautiful.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Don’t wait until you have everything figured out. Just start.
Your future self will thank you.
Purpose Molded Within Pain
-Zavion Watson
Purpose Molded Within Pain
-Zavion Watson
Imagine being invited to sit at a table but never being invited to eat from it. Or worse, imagine the table being taken away from you altogether.
Adopted at three months old, I grew up not knowing where I came from. Forced into special education, I was given a schedule: wake up, take pills, go to school. Pills I didn’t need. Pills I had to keep taking because the only way to get more was to sit in front of a therapist and tell them the same story over and over again. Why bother telling them how I really felt if my words were ignored?
I had a crush on a neighborhood girl, but every morning, the short bus pulled up to my driveway. Special education shaped me in every way except the right way. I begged my parents to take me out—I knew I didn’t belong—but they never listened. My self-identity shattered, lost beyond measure.
Yet, deep inside, I felt something greater. A force within me, impossible to define. But I couldn’t see it. Darkness became my familiar.
Self-expression often turned into anger. Every time I spoke up, I was dismissed. Every answer from my parents was "no"—unless it involved a video game to keep me quiet. Eventually, I stopped asking for things. I stopped asking for the hugs I never got. Stopped waiting for someone to call me handsome. Stopped looking for reassurance that I was doing this life thing right. My emotions became as mute as my smile. Every day repeated itself, each one a reminder that I was labeled as "special."
Twelve years in special education. Twelve years of wondering if maybe they were right. Maybe I am slow.
But deep down, my spirit whispered, No. You’re more than this.
I had talent. I was a beast at football. Even then, the labels followed me. I could’ve played linebacker, but my coach, just like everyone else, only saw what they had been told about me. He stuck me at defensive end. Another reminder that no one believed in me.
I planned to go to college, but I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. Still, I held onto the hope that there was more for me. During my last visit with my therapist, I told her I wanted to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to study social work and play football. Instead of encouragement, she questioned whether I could handle college out of state. Another dismissal. Another disrespect.
I felt lost. Nothing in my life turned out the way I thought it should. I watched others go to college and chase dreams while I felt like I had failed myself. I started partying to numb the pain—drowning the thoughts I refused to speak.
Then came December 2017.
I was hanging out with a friend, planning a trip to Atlanta, excited for the adventure. But in the midst of the conversation, a quiet voice in my head whispered:
"Find your parents."
This wasn’t my own thought. My heart had never spoken those words. My heart had always felt abandoned, dropped, forgotten.
Yet, the next day, I took the first steps. And just like that, I found my entire family.
I stopped in Ohio, where my mother lived. When I met her, I realized just how beautiful she was. Her first words to me?
"Look at you… you turned out so handsome."
At that moment, it felt like chains fell from my body. Every insecurity I had ever carried vanished.
Then I met my cousins—every single one of them a scholar and an athlete. Suddenly, I no longer doubted my potential in the classroom. I had been shackled my whole life, and now, I was tasting freedom for the first time.
But life has a way of testing us. Belinda, my mother, passed away on November 20, 2020. Just before I was headed to Detroit Christian Community College to play football and earn my associate’s degree.
Rest in peace, my baby. I love you. And I made sure you knew that.
But I kept pushing. September 30, 2022, I became the first-ever graduate of Detroit Christian Community College, earning my degree with a 3.7 GPA, Cum Laude honors.
Today, I am a school nurse and a special education mentor in the same Kentwood Public School District that once tried to define me. I still play football, with four years of eligibility left, searching for the right school to earn my BA in Leadership and Engagement.
Now, I pour into the same soil that molded me. I know exactly what these kids need to become the best version of themselves. I know the level of patience, the measure of encouragement, the belief they need to overcome obstacles early—so they don’t have to struggle later.
Because special education is just a label.
And labels only define you if you let them.
When these kids realize their minds aren’t broken, but wired differently, they become the smartest people in the room.The greatest gift we can give them is self-worth. A child who understands their worth at a young age is the most powerful force in the world.
The Price of Peace
Self-love is a process.
Sometimes, you have to hit rock bottom just to understand how to handle the top. Self-love isn’t found in a chain, the hottest fit, or the most expensive shoes.
Self-love is self-discovery.
You set your value. And make sure you don’t forget the tax.
Every morning, when you look in the mirror, that’s the only person you need to make peace with. Change your habits. Change your routine. Change your circle.
And understand this—pain, to the right warrior, is fuel.
Some of us thrive on the doubt of others. Some of us remember every time someone said we couldn’t.
That’s what makes us the most dangerous kind of warriors.
This kind of self-love? This kind of peace? It wasn’t cheap.
So I ask you—what’s the price of your peace?