Editor’s Note: Confidence in Progress

Confidence shows up everywhere — on Pinterest boards filled with confidence quotes for women, in TikTok glow-up soundbites, and in Instagram captions about leveling up. But we all know self confidence doesn’t come from reposted quotes alone.

For me, it’s been less about tuning out the outside noise and more about confronting my own head noise. This is my editor’s note on confidence, insecurity, and why I’m still pressing publish anyway.

I see creators online talk about being embarrassed — worried about family, friends, or coworkers laughing at them for “trying to be a creator.”

Luckily that’s never been my struggle.  I don’t care if someone sees me posting videos or writing blog posts. What held me back was the way I looked at myself. I’ve already said harsher things to myself than any hate or judgement comment ever could. That’s the real wall I had to climb over before I could start showing up online again.

Here’s the part that stings: I’m not a writer. At least, not in the traditional sense.

I’ve never been a beauty editor, never been paid to write about skincare or makeup, and my style doesn’t look like it belongs in a polished magazine spread. I admire those who studied writing, who make it look effortless. And deep down, I sometimes feel like an amateur — like my blog posts read more “2010 Tumblr” than 2025 digital beauty publication.

That insecurity weighs heavier on me than the idea of being called “cringe” for being a content creator.

So where does that leave me? Honestly, still figuring it out.

Some days I feel like the ugly duckling in the beauty space — not a professional editor, not an educated writer, just me. But then I remind myself that confidence affirmations aren’t just Pinterest filler — they’re reminders.

Confidence doesn’t always look like a polished byline or perfect prose. Sometimes it’s hitting “publish” even when you’re unsure. Sometimes confidence is choosing to believe your voice matters even when it feels small. Even when literally no one will see it (much like this blog post). 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: we all have insecurities.

Maybe yours looks different than mine, but it’s no less real. Self confidence isn’t about pretending insecurities don’t exist — it’s about creating anyway. This editor’s note is proof that I’m still working on it, and maybe that’s the most confident thing I can do right now.

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xoHanyaMarie.