More Than Enough – Claiming your space for who you are (No Matter What They Say)
If don’t know who Elaine Welteroth is, you have been seriously missing out one powerhouse of a woman! Not only is she an award-winning journalist, but she is now an author of the book “More Than Enough” and a judge on Project Runway! I knew her mostly from the headlines she made when she was the youngest person to be editor-in-chief at Teen Vogue. She is just one dope individual and Boss Lady!
I knew she was releasing a book and that I would definitely read it, but when I saw she was making a stop here in D.C. on her book tour, I just knew I had to go! She came to the area this past Saturday and I had such a blast! One of my grad school friends (hey Saskia!) came with me and we both agreed so many gems were dropped! It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t recap the event and share the lessons that Elaine imparted unto us!
Do What Makes You Feel Alive
Elaine made some great points about reflecting on your past and what kind of things bring you joy and make you feel alive. What are you doing when you feel most alive and most like yourself? She talked about the kinds of activities she liked to do as a kid and how those later translated into her adult passions. Even if there is a hobby that you really enjoy doing—How can you make that job? You may not want to, but if you did, How can make it so you can feel alive doing what you love every single day?
There is a Difference Between Your Intention and Your Impact
Whew! What a message. She shared this point that came out of a learning lesson during her time at Teen Vogue. But this point is so true. No matter how well intended your words or actions are, all that really matters is your impact. How do leave people after they interact with you? Are they motivated, and feel good about themselves? Or are you kind of like a dark cloud looming with negativity?
A lot of times our “intentions” can come back to bite us when we should really just apologize for how we made someone feel rather than trying to prove that because we didn’t have a negative intention, that a negative impact didn’t happen.
Building Your Own Table can be the Most Liberating Thing
We always hear about working towards and earning a seat at “the table” but what about building your own table where you can bring up people to sit at? Being able to create something that is your own where you can make your own rules and guidelines can be liberating because you aren’t working to sit at someone else’s tables. You don’t have to conform or meet someone else’s expectations of you.
When the World Wants You to Shrink, Expand
I think every woman needs to hear this point. Every woman–but particularly black women need to know that they don’t have to conform to their environments to become socially acceptable by anyone else’s standards. Make everyone else adapt to You. You shouldn’t have to hide or shelter any part of you to fit the mold. You can flourish in any environment. Not only can you flourish in any environment, but you also bring something new to the space that couldn’t be done without you.
I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the More Than Enough event and I also found it in her book. For me this quote resonates with me so much, especially working in the Corporate space. As cheesy as it may sound at times, it is truly your job to be authentically you! Someone else’s personality or style is already taken, and it works for them! You are doing the world a disservice by not showing up and sharing who you truly are!
Sometimes just being yourself is the radical act. When you occupy space in systems that weren’t built for you, your authenticity is your activism. -Elaine Welteroth
Which of these points resonated with you the most? I just started reading More Than Enough, but if you want to read along wtih me, you can get it here. I plan on doing a review when I’m done! Here is a post where I share a few of my other favorite books.
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