We were lucky to catch up with Tainabelle “Bellez” Joseph recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tainabelle “Bellez”, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is one of those things that can really consume you if you don’t consciously and actively confront it. That’s EXACTLY what I do whenever I get intrusive thoughts that try to make me believe I am not good enough or that I’m undeserving. I know I am more than enough and that I belong in every room that I step in to, as long as God opened that door. I have to continuously remind myself that I am exactly where I am SUPPOSED to be. My worth isn’t measured by how much more or less I am “accomplishing” than my peers.
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 a singer, I write my own music, and I am also an actress. Each of these are a special and important part of my artistic career and journey. Singing is one of my first loves. I know it sounds cliché, but I have been singing and performing since I was like 5 (maybe even sooner). I have plenty of VHS footage as proof! My mom used to sit in our living room and I would put on mini concerts for her whenever I wrote something new. She would make me feel like I was the best she’d ever seen! Writing has always been a very safe space for me. Whether poetry, songs, or journaling, it has helped me express my deepest thoughts and feelings and has also helped me put a lot of life experiences into perspective. I feel like I’ve always been an actress. I had my very first role in a church play when I was about 8. Later I became a member of my middle/high school Drama Club. I started really taking my acting career seriously 2 years ago. Last year, I was the Lead in a series called Divine Intervention. You can watch it on YouTube on Divine Intervention Productions’ page! Currently, I’m working on putting all my God-given talents and gifts to good use! The most exciting thing about what I do is really discovering myself artistically and personally. I get excited when I get creative ideas and inspiration! Right now I am actively auditioning and I know I’m going to book a series or feature film real soon! I am also more focused on writing and recording my music and will be dropping my first single this summer. So stay tuned! (follow @OfficialBellezMusic on IG and YouTube)
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?
For me personally, it’s always being open to learning, honesty, self-awareness, and spirituality. That’s four, but each have and still play very significant roles in my character and development as an individual. I would go into detail about each one but that would take an entirely separate conversation. Of these four, the most important and impactful in my journey, has been my spirituality. I have been through many highs and so many lows, as we all have. In my relationship with God, He has carried me through experiences in my life that felt almost unbearable and has also blessed me immensely! It brings me to tears to think of how far I have come and have yet to go. The most useful guidance I can offer others, is to seek to learn yourself and to know God intimately. I mean, truly find ways to discover who you are in His eyes and your own. With that, be diligent, be committed, and be intentional in everything that you do. With all the noise the rest of the world brings, find what brings you true joy and peace, and LIVE THERE. I know that not everyone has the same sentiments or spiritual beliefs, but speaking from my own personal experience, these things have helped me tremendously in developing and improving the aforementioned qualities and skills. I would not be who and where I am today otherwise.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
CRY! I’m not even going to lie! I like to LET. IT. OUT! Feeling overwhelmed or frustrated is not something I like to hold on to at all. So after I have a good cry, I refocus, center myself, pray, sleep, rest, put my phone on DND, etc. WHATEVER I need to do to take care of myself so that I can be functional and mentally prepared moving forward, I do that. I’ll be honest, it doesn’t ALWAYS play out perfectly. I am still human and some days are a little more challenging than others. However, I’ve made a habit of really talking to myself (and God) in those moments, asking why I am feeling a certain way, and identifying what I need in order to release those feelings. It also helps sometimes, to have someone you trust to talk to. If you don’t feel like you do, try the aforementioned strategies. And don’t forget to be good to yourself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @BellezTheGreat and @OfficialBellezMusic
- Twitter: @BellezTheGreat
- Youtube: @OfficialBellezMusic
Image Credits
Ira Carmichael Tainabelle Joseph
