Minessa

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Dog mom, coach, wife, partner, sister, therapist, housekeeper, personal shopper. I am an introvert with an enormous capacity for empathy. I want to make a difference and believe in living with a purpose. I have anxiety, so I worry about everything. I grew up in Pakistan where family homes are common so I was raised by a village. As one of very few half Americans living in Karachi at the time I was picked on and made fun of like any kid who's different. Later, when our lives were in danger because of our nationality, we moved to the US. By then I identified as a South East Asian woman and didn't fit in here either. My mom had liver cancer and her mind snapped the day before she died. It came back for fleeting seconds and her fear and anguish when she realized what was happening was harder than her actual death. My greatest struggle has always been my cruelty to myself. Anxiety and depression are horrible. The mean girl inside of me is always itching to come out to say horrible things to her favorite target - me. I’m not worthy. I don’t know enough. I’m not good enough. I have been in therapy for years, but this last year I put a lot of systems in place to make kindness to myself part of a regular routine. Meditation, being vigilant about the words I choose to use on myself even in jest and changing my mindset to a place of service are things I've implemented to build confidence in myself. I wish more people out there felt like they meant something. I wish there was less anger and more forgiveness in the world. Success isn't a place you get to and live in, it's a journey. Happiness is found through gratitude. Confidence is beauty. I am proud of my willingness to be wrong, reflect and to make a different choice when I need to. I am creative, strong willed, courageous and impatient. I am Minessa. I have a story. It means something. It matters. I matter.