You Belong: Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Taking Your Seat at the Table

I see you. I know what it feels like to second-guess yourself, to wonder if you belong in the spaces you’re occupying, to hold back your voice and your ideas because you’re not sure if they matter. I’ve been there. Heck, we’ve all been there at one point or another. But listen, I’m here to tell you—you belong.

That seat at the table? It’s yours. The voice you’ve been hesitating to share? The world needs it. The ideas you’re holding back? They just might be the spark someone else needs.

It’s time to stop asking yourself if you deserve to be here. Stop questioning your worth. You belong.

Stop Asking Yourself if You Deserve a Seat at the Table

I get it. You’re sitting in a room full of talented, powerful, confident people, and you feel like you’re not quite sure how you ended up there. Maybe you’re thinking, "Am I really supposed to be here?" or "What if I’m not good enough?"

Stop.

You earned that seat. The fact that you’re even in the room means you have something valuable to offer. You’ve been invited to the table for a reason. Whether it’s your expertise, your fresh perspective, your drive, or your unique skill set—you’re here because you are meant to be.

I know it’s easy to get wrapped up in comparing yourself to others. But guess what? There will always be someone who seems more qualified, more experienced, more confident, more whatever. But the truth is, there is no one else like you. Your experiences, your insights, your perspective—they matter. They belong in that room just as much as anyone else’s.

Stop Questioning if Your Voice is Relevant

Maybe you’ve been hesitant to speak up. Maybe you’ve been waiting for the "right" moment or wondering if your opinion is worth sharing. Maybe you’ve thought, "What if they don’t take me seriously?" or "What if they already have all the answers?"

Cut it out.

Your voice is relevant. What you have to say matters. Stop downplaying your ideas, dismissing your thoughts as not important enough. The world needs your perspective.

Here’s the thing: The more you stay quiet, the more you reinforce the idea that your thoughts don’t matter. And that’s just not true. If you’ve got something to say, speak up. You have every right to contribute. You belong at the table, and your voice belongs in the conversation.

Stop Holding Back Your Ideas

If you’re holding back your ideas because you’re worried they’re not good enough or that someone else has already thought of them, let me stop you right there: stop holding back.

The best ideas often come from the people who are willing to share what’s on their mind, no matter how raw or unrefined it might seem. So what if your idea isn’t perfect? Perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. Your ideas can evolve, get better, and spark something bigger when you put them out there.

Think about it: If you don’t share your ideas, how will anyone ever know how much they matter? You belong, and your ideas belong, too.

Stop Worrying About Taking Up Too Much Space

Here’s a truth bomb for you: You are not taking up too much space.

I know it can feel like there’s only so much room for everyone’s voice, especially if you’re a woman or someone who feels like they have to shrink themselves to fit in. But here’s the thing—if you shrink yourself, you’re robbing the world of your brilliance. The world needs you to show up fully, unapologetically, and confidently.

Stop worrying about taking up space. You’re allowed to take up all the space you need.

You know what happens when you take up space? Others feel encouraged to do the same. You create a ripple effect that makes everyone around you feel more empowered to stand tall and share their voices. So stop holding back. Your energy, your ideas, your presence—it matters.

When Imposter Syndrome Creeps In, Kick It to the Curb

Here’s the deal: Imposter syndrome will rear its ugly head. It will. It’s sneaky, it’s tricky, and it’s designed to make you doubt yourself. It whispers that you’re not good enough, that you don’t deserve to be where you are, that you’re a fraud.

But I’m here to tell you—kick that imposter syndrome to the curb.

When those thoughts start creeping in, catch them. Recognize them for what they are: lies. Remind yourself, “I belong as much as anybody else does. Not more, not less. I belong.”

Say it out loud. Say it until you believe it. Because it’s true.

You’ve worked hard to get where you are. You’ve earned your seat at the table. The voice you’re holding back? It’s needed. Your ideas? They matter. Your space? It’s yours to take.

You belong.

We Need You

Here’s the final thing I need you to hear: We need you.

The world needs you to show up as your full, unapologetic self. We need your voice, your ideas, your brilliance. You may not realize it right now, but your presence makes a difference. You bring something to the table that nobody else can.

So don’t hold back anymore. Don’t shrink. Don’t doubt. You belong, and it’s time you started believing it.

If you’re reading this and wondering, "Do I really belong?"—the answer is a resounding yes. You do. You always have.

Now, go take up the space you deserve. Speak your mind. Share your ideas. You’ve got this. And we’re all better for it.

So, what do you say? Try it. Let that imposter syndrome go and step into your power. You belong, and the world needs what you’ve got.