People would say I’m too loud and to be quiet. 

People would tell me not to be so bossy.

People would say I’m too much and to chill out a bit.

But all these things were me, being who I was. I soon learnt that who I was, wasn’t good enough, and that I need to be different to be liked and to fit in. Those labels stifled my flame and lead me to internalise my being. 

I stopped being so loud so I could fit in. I stopped asking for what I wanted so that people wouldn’t call me bossy. I stopped being outgoing and loving and retreated into myself so that people would like me. I was only 12. 

Those labels stayed with me no matter how hard I tried to fit in and be liked. Finally, I found a group of people that made me feel welcome and cool. The problem was, this would lead to 10 years addicted to ice and my subsequent arrest and imprisonment for drug related offences. 

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t blame anyone for where my life went, we all make choices and sometimes we make mistakes. It’s a part of learning and living. My lessons in all that turmoil, pain and the labels that caused it were this: 

Be loud.

Be too much. 

Be bossy. 

Be the best version of myself, however that looks. 

The way other people label us is out of our control. What’s in our control is how we label ourselves and how we label others. Imagine if we all chose to challenge the labels we have been given. Challenge the way society see us. Challenge ourselves to see people differently. 

I challenge the way society sees me every day. 

I was addicted to drugs for 10 years. I have been incarcerated. I also have 2 degrees, 2 babies, and soon, a charity. 

I laugh loud, and tell stories with heart. I give my all to everything I do. I’m brave and fearless. I found my power again, to be loud and to be too much in my own right and maybe sometimes I’m bossy - so what. This is who I am.