We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Grace Chimezie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Grace below.
Grace, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Self-esteem, as described by Rosenberg in 1965, refers to the powerful inner attitude towards oneself, which can be positive or negative. My self-esteem and confidence has been influenced by various factors such as my childhood upbringing, media, society, and peer pressure. In my 20’s I dabbled in and out of being confidence for the earlier factors I mentioned, but now in my 30’s, I have solidified my confidence and how I feel about myself by doing the following:
Writing Down my Achievements: I make a list of things I’m proud of, such as my achievements, the communities I support, and my resilience. Doing this regularly serves as a reassuring reminder of what I am capable of, especially in moments when I don’t often feel I’m at my best.
I surround myself with individuals who affirm my self-worth. The right words matter, so I ensure that I surround myself with the right voices, those who are quick to re-affirm me and speak positive words to my life.
Accepting things I cannot change: For a long time, I struggled with feeling confident about my height and body size. It was a difficult journey because these are aspects of myself that I cannot easily change. For example, there are instances I’ve been mistaken for a 15-year-old or overlooked in social settings because of my body size, I soon realized that I could’t change these parts of me and began to accept myself for who I was. Now, I consider it a superpower to look younger than my age. I also show up dressed nicely which contributes to my confidence and have me always feeling like a perfect 10.
Many of us may never have the exact height, facial structure, or weight that we wish for, but I’ve realized that learning to live with and embrace the natural features about ourselves is incredibly empowering. Embracing ourselves as we are, rather than wishing for something different, is a journey of self-acceptance that ultimately leads to greater self-love and confidence.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Grace Chimezie, I am Nigerian by birth and I moved to the United States in 2017. I have a dual master degree, an M.A. in Technology Policy from Georgetown University, and MSc from Westcliff University. Grace works as a Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Lead for a Non-profit and author a fashion and lifestyle blog, and lives in the Virginia. When she is not doing any of these things, she is reading a book, supporting her friend’s tea shop called Lady Camellia at Old Town, Alexandia.
Through her fashion writing, Grace has amassed over 3 million blog reads, thousands of online followers and collaborated with brands such as Google, Tag Heur, and Petal and Pup. During the pandemic, she found herself exploring her interest in photography and authored a mobile e-book titled “Mobile Photography,” to support upcoming content creators who want to define their brand online.
These days, she is exploring other ways to reach a wide audience including writing about her favorite U.S. cities and interior design. Sharing my story here is an exciting step in that direction.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back at my work both as a leader in the non-profit space and working in fashion for over a decade, three qualities that I would emphasize on are:
Consistency: This is usually a common saying, but a lot of early professionals would benefit from just showing up consistently. Consistency oftentimes translates to being reliable, and the more consistent you are, you increase your chances of being great at something, which in turn provides you with more opportunities.
Study to show yourself approved: I grew up christian and I consider myself a believer. The book of 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. (New King James Version).” I often translate this verse to my work, with the understanding that if I am able to study, I can show up unashamed, especially if I am starting a new role or embarking on a new venture. Often we hear of the word “imposter syndrome” and for most beginners, studying and showing up prepared is the best way to get rid of imposter syndrome.
“You are not the work you do, you are the person you are:” During the pandemic, I stumbled on this quote in while reading an article in The New Yorker byToni Morrisson. Since then, I have read the article every year to remind myself of what is important (family, love, and giving) while striving to live to my full potential.
So there you have it…
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
As I mentioned in my opening statement, I grew up in Nigeria and immigrated to the U.S in 2017 to pursue a Mater degree in Technology Policy at Georgetown University. It was one of the biggest sacrifice from my parents who did the best they can to ensure that I graduated. My parents were always been firm believers in education and the support they provided from an early stage was impactful to me becoming the person that I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gracealexfashionblog.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracechialex/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-chimezie/
- Twitter: https://x.com/GraceChiAlex
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