We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tasha Wilson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tasha below.
Tasha, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Life experiences tainted my perspective of the relationship dynamic between confidence and self-esteem. Perpetual trauma was a constant theme in my life, which consumed my entire existence. In essence, trauma became my identity. I was once a shy, withdrawn, guarded girl who allowed brokenness to serve as a navigation tool in how I showed up in the world. I was a people pleaser who overextended myself to make everyone else happy and comfortable, while minimizing my own needs and ignoring my boundaries. I believed that I deserved to be loved conditionally and accepted the bare minimum from others. As a sexual assault survivor, I viewed myself as damaged goods. I became my worst enemy.
Being entangled in the labels that shaped my self-made identity suffocated me. I remember approaching my thirtieth birthday and making the decision to deconstruct and dismantle unhealthy behaviors that were deeply connected to the familiarity of my past. I was tired of living in survival mode. I stopped feeding my fears and started living in freedom by stripping away the labels that once imprisoned me. It was at that moment, my entire life started transforming and shifting in a major way. Developing my confidence and self-esteem challenged me to unmask the inner me and embrace the greatness within. I created an affirmation wall in my apartment, met regularly with a therapist, aligned myself with authentic friendships, wrote my inner thoughts and feelings down in a journal, looked in the mirror daily and said, “I love you”. While continually doing the intentional inner work and igniting the value of my voice, I became a sounding board for other millennial women to do the same. My persistence, discipline, and faith anchored the foundation of discovering my God-given purpose. I empower millennial women to get unstuck by mastering the inner critic to authentically live a fulfilling life.
My journey of developing confidence and self-esteem is not a linear one. It is a constant investment to unravel years of self-sabotage, persecution, hurt, and pain. Choosing inner contentment is more important than existing for external validation. My confidence and self-esteem journey has helped me realize and participate in things I find rewarding and enjoyable. To love myself and genuinely mean it is an important milestone within itself. Choosing to honor and love myself with my decisions, my actions, and my boundaries has radically changed my life and I am forever grateful. Although God has blessed me with various accolades and awards, none of them compared to my greatest accomplishment—discovering and embracing who I truly am, being fully present while making an impact in this world. My hope is to inspire others to live unapologetically and gracefully flourish.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am internationally recognized as a trailblazer in the marketplace by the name of Tasha W: Messenger of Hope ™. I specialize in helping millennial women discover who they are, explore their passion, and pursue purpose. I have made appearances across the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. I have authored four books, co-authored one anthology and co-authored two publications.
In 2015, I founded the Royalty Refined Movement, a community network that fosters sisterhood centered around self-discovery, personal development, and freedom. In 2016, I received the Governor’s Volunteer Service Certificate for community activism. In 2018, I joined the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) as a member of the Speakers Bureau. In 2021, I served on Grammy Award-winner Michelle Williams’ launch team for the book “Checking In”. In 2022, I received the Deborah Arise Marketplace Forerunner Award and recognized as one of Maryland’s Christian Women in Leadership. Recently, I was a feature in Woman-to-Woman International Network, Inc. Additionally, I was a recipient of the 30 under 40 Advocacy Award presented by the Pan African Network (ACPA) for my diligence in illuminating concerns of vulnerable communities and championing resources for them to excel in our society.
It excites me to know that my story serves as a lighthouse for millennial women to unlock the treasure within, confront pitfalls from the past, and explore the power of fearlessness. I genuinely want to see millennial women win! I have expanded my network by partnering with organizations centered on education, mental health, and DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) initiatives. Collaboration is essential in fostering thriving communities. I enjoy giving back and paying it forward. I serve on the Board of Directors for Kids Chance of Maryland, Inc. (founded in 1996) which provides scholarship assistance to children whose parents have been catastrophically injured or killed in employment related accidents in Maryland. The purpose of this organization holds a special place in my heart as a former recipient. Currently, I am spearheading a project through Information Age Publishing company that gives Black and Brown women an opportunity to share their experiences and eradicate the stigma of burnout in their professional spaces. The expected publication date for this project is early 2024.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey consisted of the following:
Having a growth mindset. Not allowing fear to limit me from moving beyond my comfort zone. Understanding that is okay to pivot and shift when necessary. Combatting negative self-talk with positivity. Using my words to sharpen (speak life) and not using my words to cut (tear down) as I addressed unresolved trauma. Words have power!
Creating balance in my life as an author and speaker. We live in a society that pushes the agenda of busyness. Being busy is not synonymous with being productive. Instead of filling up my schedule with a checklist, I aim to maximize my time by being intentional, doing what’s meaningful and cultivating purposeful connections. I ensure that my accomplishments don’t become an idol in my life.
Integrity. Practicing what I preach. The work that I do externally aligns with who I am internally. Self-examination and introspection are critical for me. I pause, rest, and reflect when needed. As an introvert who operates in extroverted spaces, I reinforce boundaries when it comes to my personal and professional life. I am discerning as to who has access to me.
For those who are early in their journey, I would like to leave you with the following advice:
Give yourself permission to reclaim your identity, worth and existence. Your life doesn’t have to stay the same. You have the power and authority to change the narrative of your story. You are deserving of a healthy, abundant, and fulfilling life. Release fear, shift your perspective, and upgrade your language.
Give yourself grace. Be patient with yourself while developing your confidence and self-esteem. It is not a cookie-cutter process. It is a lifelong journey that is tailor-made.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
A book that I recently read, “Bamboozled by Jesus: How God Tricked Me into the Life of My Dreams” has played a vital role in my development. Yvonne Orji authors the book. The infusion of Biblical stories and Yvonne’s metaphors makes this book a page turner. Yvonne paints a picture on how to live your best life with God.
The book inspired me to remain vigilant, trust what God reveals to me, and embrace the lessons designed to make me a better version of myself. Essentially, surrendering to the plans God has for my life and staying committed to the process. Becoming who God has called me to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lifewithtashaw.com/
Image Credits
C.Mathies Photography
