For the longest time, I was afraid to take up space. I lived in the shadows, believing that someone like me didn’t deserve to be seen or heard. I thought I needed permission to express myself — permission from my friends, family, or the world at large. And every time I shared an idea, hoping for encouragement, I was met with dismissal. It was like asking people to resuscitate a dream they didn’t believe in.
I’ll never forget the last time it happened. I had just shared a business idea with a friend, full of excitement, only to be told, once again, “That will never work.”
And something inside me snapped.
I was done asking for permission. Done waiting for the perfect moment. Done waiting for validation.
I was so angry — but instead of letting that anger fester, I poured it onto the page. I started blogging. At first, it was just an outlet, a way to release all the frustration and pent-up emotion. But something unexpected happened:
I found my voice.
Blogging helped me reconnect with myself. It was like meeting the real me for the first time. I started writing about my experiences, my heartbreaks, my challenges — and in the process, I built a muscle I had never used before: the muscle of self-expression.
I began to realize that expressing myself wasn’t just about me. It was about taking up space, claiming my right to exist fully and authentically.
And it was life-changing.
That’s why I believe everyone should find a way to express themselves. Maybe writing isn’t your thing. That’s okay. There are so many ways to let your voice be heard.
Start a podcast, even if it’s just five minutes long.
Film short videos and post them on YouTube.
Draw, dance, paint, knit, direct a short film.
Create something — anything — that allows you to share who you are with the world.
Because when you express yourself, something shifts. You start to hear yourself. You start to see yourself. And you realize that you don’t need permission to take up space.
You’ve had the power all along.
So, whatever that creative outlet looks like for you, go for it. Start small if you have to. But start. You might just change your life.
Salima