Learn To Be Comfortable In Your Own Skin

A question I get asked a lot is what advice would you give your younger self vs. the girl who was in her twenties? Honestly, I would have the same advice for both girls. Learn to be comfortable in your own skin and that would be a domino effect of learning to love yourself. Learning to love who you are, learning to work on your self-esteem, learning about your self-value, your self-worth, learning to take care of who you are, learning to love you from the inside out.

Growing up in this skin I wasn't always excited and happy to be in it. I used to pray to God like, “please can you make me a little lighter” because I was discriminated against so much for being dark skinned, it made me have really low self-esteem. My self-esteem was under my shoe, because I had zero, none zip zilch, nadda, nothing. 

I wish I knew the power of being comfortable in my own skin as a young girl as it would have helped me sooooooooooo much  in life! And with the thick skin that’s needed in this business, I know it would have helped me tremendously. I would have spent more time building myself up, (You’re worthy of booking this job, you are enough) vs. tearing myself down. (You don’t have enough credits, they won’t book you, you don’t have a big enough social media following, etc.)

It honestly took the realization of like okay well, this is who you are. This is how God made you. Are you gonna just stay in this ‘woe is me’ feeling or are you going to do something about it? I chose the latter and affirmations were the thing that helped me. Affirmations made me see myself differently, made me fall in love with me and Love who I am. It made me more comfortable in my own skin. So my words of wisdom for a younger version of me would be to Love. Who. You. are.

I’m proud to say, now I do. I love being in this beautiful chocolate skin and I thank God for making me the way he did.

Here are a few affirmations I’ve used on a daily basis. Trust me, Loving yourself will help you in life and in your journey as an Actor.

1. I am an amazing actor

2. Great roles are finding me.

3. I am unique

4. An audition is an opportunity for success

5. My light does not dim when someone else’s light shines

6. I have a great memory and learn lines with ease

7. I create my own opportunities

8. My art inspires my audience

9. Acting is my passion

10. I am defined by my self-worth and values

11. I learn from rejection

12. I accept the journey of auditions

13. I am enough

14. I enjoy every moment on stage and screen

15. I bring integrity and truthfulness to my role

16. I learn from my fellow actors

17. I love my work and I love myself

18. I attract roles that take my career to the next level

19. The audience is waiting for me

20. The jobs I book are a confirmation of my dreams

21. Acting is my calling

22. I act with empathy

23. My best audition comes just in time for my perfect role

24. My role and I are one

25. Every role is important

26. I connect with my audience and my audience connects with me

27. I take my audience on a journey with me

28. I am improving every single day

29. I am an artist

30. I embody my characters

31. I act with authenticity

32. I am a star

33. When I’m on stage, people want to watch

34. I transform when I act

35. I am meant to act

36. My dream role is inevitable

37. I’m grateful for my past success

38. Acting comes naturally to me

39. I portray my characters with respect and nuance

40. I am full of creative energy

41. The role is within me

42. I choose success

43. I am fearless in auditions

44. I am confident

45. I do not compare myself to others

46. I am calm when I perform

47. I bring a unique perspective to my roles

48. I’m worthy of success

49. I am a star

50. I am grateful for my art

I’m rooting for your success,

Taja