BY CHANTALLE ANNE GUDDARAN
Many of us can find ourselves asking this question. It is not always easy to be confident with ourselves because it always seems like we can find something wrong with ourselves. So, how do we avoid this and become the confident girls that we truly are? Confidence starts with our mental health. That means taking pride in our condition and changing our perspective.
Recognize Our Strengths
It may be too easy to focus on our weaknesses; it’s okay, it happens to everyone! However, it is always important to acknowledge our strengths. Children with dyslexia are often reduced to children who are unable to read and write, which is very untrue. There is a plethora of children that excel in other subject areas, like science and math, and activities outside of school, like sports and art. Take the multi-talented Whoopi Goldberg as an example. Whoopi Goldberg, a comedian, actress, and producer, was often called “stupid” because of her condition by her class bullies. Now we know she went on to excel in the arts. So much so that she became one of the very few people who have acquired an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award.
Read With Someone Else
As they say, practice makes perfect. Continuing to read daily is essential to improve your reading skills. Though, I understand that it can be boring reading by yourself. It is also easier to get irritated by every little mistake you make. So, I suggest reading with someone. If you are looking after a toddler or a child with dyslexia, I recommend reading a short bedtime story with your kid every night. If you are a teenager with dyslexia, I recommend visiting a library with a loved one or a friend and reading together, whether you are reading from the same book or just sitting together and reading on your own. An alternative is joining a book club at your local library or school. The key thing here is consistency. If you are unsure how to start, start with reading 10 pages a day, then read more pages as you progress and become more comfortable.
Write About Interesting Things
If you are struggling with how to write and what to write, I recommend writing about things that either interest you or you find interesting. Instead of only writing for school essays or assignments, find some time to write about yourself or anything interesting. For example, journaling has become a popular activity and is often featured in the “how to be that girl” routines. For journaling, you can write about anything: what you are grateful for, what your day looked like, or anything that was notable. The same principle with reading applies to writing: consistency is key. You do not necessarily have to write a lot, especially for journaling. As you continue to write, you get better at writing, and you start to develop more creative ideas.
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