Rose-Colored Glasses

As a child, I thought adults had life perfectly figured out. My parents, their friends, and most of my friends’ parents exuded confidence as if they’d cracked some sort of secret code to living. From my young, naïve perspective, everyone older than me looked so put together. Sharp clothes, calm voices, steady hands. 

But growing up shattered that illusion. 

I realized many adults never grow up, and some even decline over the years. Maturity, I’ve learned, has nothing to do with age. It’s not an automatic outcome of getting older, and some people never truly grasp it at all…

I assumed gossiping would fade away with time. I believed we’d all evolve into people who could hold meaningful conversations, manage responsibilities, take care of our bodies, steward our money wisely, and build lasting, healthy relationships.

Not everyone matures in the way I expected. Many people remain stuck in their ways or even regress. Some choose distraction over growth. Others bury themselves in avoidance. Over the years, coming to terms with this was a constant shock. It felt as unsettling as realizing that love isn’t always effortless, or that even the best friendships can fracture and end in disappointment.

For most of my life, I wore rose-colored glasses. 

I believed friendships were meant to last forever, free from tension or betrayal. I thought shared moments would remain perfect and unchanging. I imagined my faith would never waver, and that my plans would unfold exactly as I envisioned. Now, I expected and even welcomed challenges. But I believed I’d overcome them all and achieve my dreams in a much shorter timeframe than what was presented. I never factored in the messier, more humbling realities: the slow unraveling of discipline, the quiet return of old habits, the heaviness of losing momentum.

Last year, I had to face something I never expected I’d deal with again. 

Despite having a business built on empowerment and personal growth, I found myself sliding back into depression. The kind that makes it hard to get out of bed, let alone get in front of a camera and inspire others. The kind that forces you to ask for help when you’d rather prove you can “handle it.”

For someone who’s built an entire platform around affirmations and resilience, admitting that I wasn’t okay initially felt like failing in public. But it wasn’t a failure. It was honesty. And honesty is where real growth begins.

The truth is, I don’t have it all together. No one does. The difference is, I’m learning to embrace the messy parts instead of cowering behind them. I’m learning that vulnerability isn’t a crack in my brand. It’s the bridge between me and the people I now get to help.

It’s taken me months to shake off the weight, to pick myself back up, to remember that my worth isn’t tied to my perfection. I had to choose, over and over, to take small steps forward. 

In the midst of this, life has proven to be more complicated than I ever imagined. Certain moments are simple, but we tend to complicate life with our own perceptions and pressures.

Now, as I step into this next chapter, my goal isn’t to be the woman who has all the answers. I’m choosing to be the woman who tells the truth about the questions, the struggles, and the work it takes to rise again.

My business revolves around affirming myself and others, yet I often feel the pressure of being seen as someone who’s always in control. With my background in self-development and leadership, it’s easy to feel the weight of others’ expectations.

But as Marisa Poster wrote in the 100 CEOs newsletter, reflecting on her journey through depression while being named to Forbes 30 Under 30: “Vulnerability isn’t a weakness. It’s your superpower.”

If you’ve ever felt this way, too, you’re not alone. Let’s rise together. That’s why I created the I Affirm Myself Method™. It’s a soul-rooted system for rebuilding your mindset, reclaiming your energy, and rising with clarity and confidence.

✨ Earlybird enrollment is now open. Join the waitlist to receive exclusive bonuses, behind-the-scenes content, and first access when the doors officially open.

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Kemi Reyes | August 15, 2025