How many times have you settled for less than you know you deserve? How often have you sucked it up and convinced yourself that you should just feel grateful for what you have and quit wanting so friggin’ much? How many times have you compromised, at the expense of valuing what you’re worth? How many times have you been underpaid or passed over for a promotion you deserved or failed to charge someone what you’re worth?

If your answer is often, you’re not alone -- especially if you’re female. Even those of us with high levels of self confidence second guess and undervalue ourselves. Why? Because we’re afraid.

We are thrilled and honored, as always, to welcome back Tama J. Kieves, who is the bestselling author of  THIS TIME I DANCE! Creating the Work You Love  and who has helped thousands world-wide to discover and live their creative dreams. Here at Owning Pink we have been experimenting with writing letters to our younger selves - we humbly thank Tama for sharing her letter today. Big love and thanks to Tama. Enjoy, Pinkies!

Tummy trembles. Brain fuzz. That discombobulating feeling that tells you you're not quite sure what you should be doing but you know you should be doing something to keep your act together. Anxiety. Sometimes it slips away with a few deep breaths, other times you need to beat it off with a stick or some little white pills.

I am definitely a creature of habit. When I take my daily hikes, I traipse along one of four trails, usually the Ocean View Trail at John Muir’s famous national park Muir Woods. But this week, after the sky dumped loads of rain, my favorite trail was closed. I stood there in front of the yellow barricades, feeling perplexed and a wee bit pissed. How dare they close my favorite trail? Disoriented, I wandered a bit aimlessly, going in circles, until I ambled upon a trail I had never taken. Feeling a bit of trepidation, I questioned whether to embark upon a new journey.