As the year comes to a close—I’m trading Instagram’s social mask for a little authenticity 👉 ...⁣ ⁣ I started 2021 nearly six figures in debt to the IRS, overwhelmed by negative self talk, imposture syndrome, depression and self-doubt. ⁣ ⁣ It was my dark secret. ⁣ ⁣ I’d been writing the IRS large checks every month for two years and was so ashamed of my financial burden that I kept it hidden from almost all those closest to me. ⁣ ⁣ The negative self talk was relentless—How could I be so stupid? The tumble from near financial freedom to losing it all happened in the blink of an eye and stripped me of everything I knew including the man I believed I was meant to be. ⁣ ⁣ Every morning I woke to the weight of my mistakes and failures holding me down while putting on a smiling mask for the world to see.⁣ ⁣ But beneath that smile I was depressed, isolated, and broken. ⁣ ⁣ In February, an unexpected stroke of luck came in the form of crypto. The market was making a comeback and I watched with bated breath until the exact dollar amount matched my debt and pulled everything out. ⁣ ⁣ With no regrets in that instant, I became debt-free. ⁣ ⁣ Something strange happened next, or rather didn’t happen. My world didn’t change and I didn’t feel better. The self-doubt and negative self talk was still there and it took nearly the rest of the year to rediscover myself and start feeling whole.⁣ ⁣ What I've learned over this time is that until we can have the courage and vulnerability to forgive ourselves for our mistakes, we'll always feel broken. Repair only comes with true self-love.⁣ ⁣ If you’re in a dark place, please take a moment to appreciate yourself and know that in dark moments the world needs you to shine ever more brightly. Choose to use the coming fresh year to be real, vulnerable, and to radiate all your hidden treasures that the world will be lucky to see.⁣ ⁣ With love, happy new year. 🧡