We were lucky to catch up with Caitlyn Harris recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Caitlyn, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
For me, confidence and self esteem started as a daily cultivation. At the start of my healing journey in 2020 I read a quote that hit me to my core. It goes, “We can’t shame ourselves into change, only love ourselves into evolution.” I was highly self-critical and full of fear and shame in the moment I received that message. It was an enlightening take on what felt impossible, hopeless and a bit cynical as I had never thought of that approach. So I sat with myself in grief, in sadness, and in pain and thought-why the hell not? I’ve got nothing left to lose. If only love could create lasting change then I knew that love would have to come from me so I gave it my all.. as it was my last ditch effort at transformation during the lowest point in my life.
I began to remove myself from all forms of negativity and distraction. I literally threw my tv away as none of the Bravo Housewives were helping my case. I ended connections that felt 1 sided/ toxic/ and co-dependent. I discovered affirmations and repeated them until I truly believed them. I affirmed daily that I was worthy and worthy of love. I became mindful of everything I consumed-food, music, podcasts, literature.
I worked with fitness and nutrition coaches to guide me into developing healthier habits while lovingly holding me accountable. I spent a lot of time in nature and became familiar with meditation and breath-work. I worked with one hell of a mentor, Henri Nawrocki, that could meet me where I was at and hold a space of deeper inquiry, deeper healing and deeper presence. I started to accept everything about myself and my life experiences. I started to practice forgiveness for myself and others. I worked over time on healing my throat chakra as that was always my biggest energetic block keeping me from my most aligned life. This meant I would start to speak up and advocate for myself, set boundaries, and learn that NO is a complete sentence. This took the most courage as I was previously suffering from being an extreme people pleaser while abandoning myself in the process. The first time I set a boundary and said “NO” it felt like the scariest yet most liberating *clutches pearls* moment of my life. That moment felt like I just reclaimed all of my power back from people and moments throughout my life that have disrespected, dismissed, mishandled or abused me-my heart-and my time and energy.
What built my confidence and self esteem was showing up for myself in every little moment and every little decision. It was built by investing in myself, having goals, and taking action. It was built by complete demolition of my old self so that my new self could be built brick by brick on the strongest foundation of all- Love.
Now I’ve started putting myself out there to find empowering communities that are aligned. I have the confidence to claim my space in the world and speak my truth. I have the confidence to take risks and try new things like boxing and lord have mercy my confidence is through the roof!!! Shoutout to Savage Boxing Academy! 🥊
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a hair and makeup artist serving Charleston, SC and beyond! I’ve been in the beauty industry for 12 years and have built my brand-Beauty Redefined to empower women everywhere to own and express their uniqueness while embracing everything that makes them beautiful. I work in both bridal and editorial industries. I’m truly blessed.
My creative pursuits don’t stop there! I’m currently working on a passion project that will highlight much of my journey in hopes to inspire anyone willing to listen.
I’m also training for my amateur boxing debut next May. I figured I remind women of their beauty all day long and now I want to remind them of their strength and power! Stay tuned for an official invite!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1.Remain a student of life-constantly learning and applying.
2.Community/Collaboration- team work makes the dream work!
3.Discipline- this is the ultimate pathway to freedom.
I would say to go ahead and check your ego at the door. We are all imperfect humans doing our best to learn and grow every day! We need each other.
Surround yourself with people who are authentic and aligned..that way even when they can’t see or understand the vision-they won’t try to ruin it.
Create daily practices that keep you nourished and grounded because we’re in it for the long game baby!!!
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I think it’s much more fulfilling and meaningful to invest effort in becoming more well rounded! Our strengths wouldn’t exist without our weaknesses and it’s our weaknesses that hold the keys to unlocking and developing more of our strengths. Our weaknesses remind us of our humanness, allowing us to relate with others around us. The more opportunity we give to discover more of ourselves the greater we can show up to serve and love one another. We are multidimensional beings and it’s time we start acting like it!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beautyredefined.co
- Instagram: @beautyredefined.hmua
Image Credits
@gregglc, @kimber_hanger, @savageboxingacademy, @henrinawrocki_, @shortfuze.pt, @gut_check_garage, @self_well_fed
