“This experience honestly shifted everything for me. It made me realize that I’m not alone. Reading someone else’s story — seeing what they went through, how they handled it, and then being challenged to take small steps myself — made me understand that I don’t have to fit into someone else’s box when God made me exactly as I am.

The first chapter hit me the hardest because it felt so familiar. It made me think, ‘Wow… someone else has felt this too.’ Then Chapter 7, Shrinking to Keep the Peace, completely broke me open because that WAS me. I spent so much time shrinking myself to fit spaces that were never designed for me.

One of the biggest truths I realized is that I AM ME — and that is enough. I don’t have to hide who I am, silence myself, or become someone else just to fit into other people’s expectations.

After completing this, I felt stronger in my voice and more confident in staying true to myself. I realized that many people try to shrink confident women because they are intimidated by their light, their growth, or their achievements. But I no longer feel the need to apologize for who I am.

This helped me stop hiding my voice, even when others may not understand me or see things the way I do. Different doesn’t mean wrong. We all process life differently — and that is okay.

To any woman considering this journey: DO IT. BELIEVE IT. And most importantly… STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF.”

— Erika Vaughn