Heart 2 Heart: Self-Confidence

9:00 AM


It's the middle of May and once again I find myself contemplating Bloggers With No Makeup Day, which is a day I may be alone is celebrating 5 years after it first began. Should a day of connecting with who we are naturally, publicly, makeup-free, only occur once in a lifetime? It's the reason why I first began making Heart 2 Heart videos which might be the most important thing I've done in my entire career so even if it is only a handful whom it may affect, it's worth celebrating annually.

Today I wanted to talk about a global misconception: Self-Confidence. One of the crazy fascinating things about the internet is that it connects all of us in such an immediate way without any walls between cameras and computer screens, even thousands of miles apart. Because we are constantly bombarded with an overflow of media telling us how to be sexier, healthier, richer, and younger, it's difficult not to feel like we are the only ones inadequate to meet society's standards. This is exactly why I believe self-confidence the internet's greatest fallacy. Everyone believes everyone else is more put-together and confident than we are. I'm not saying it's a lie to make us all feel down, but actually the opposite. Thank goodness we aren't all perfect robotrons with perfect homes and perfect lives eating perfect meals in perfect bodies!

Because we aren't all immaculate unicorns, we have to derive confidence from something other than perfection. 

To all you who are self-conscious, to all who have ever felt insecure, to anyone who is imperfect, this is from my heart to yours.



If you are interested in checking out my past Heart 2 Heart posts, you can click the links below:




Thank you guys for being an imperfect, honest, loyal, and uplifting community. I love you guys dearly and consider it the hugest blessing and honor to be able to share my pains and triumphs alongside you, my sisters and brothers, knowing we are all in this game together. 

Lets fight to spread positivity and put our strength toward making waves of change with courage, humility, and faith, not simply trying to fit in or be beautiful. You are already beautiful, now believe it!

Readers, what is an insecurity that you struggle or have struggled in the past with? What do you do to boost your self-confidence? Share in the comments below!

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33 comments

  1. You are really brave and one of a kind! This is the first video of this kind that I have seen! Great job!


    A Cult Beauty Haul | The Conscience Fund

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  2. This is such a wonderful video and precious words. Everything what you told is true! Thank you for this great video <3 and I must say that you look just amazing with no makeup!

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    1. Oh gosh I don't know that I actually look anything but average without makeup but THANK YOU for your precious words!!!

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  3. That is such an important issue and I think it's great that you brought that up.
    Thank you for sharing you thoughts <3

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  4. Thank you so much for making these videos. Honestly this couldn't have come at a better time - I definitely needed to hear what you were saying. So thank you - and you are the best!

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  5. I've enjoyed watching your makeup and skincare tutorials, but I wanted to reach out and thank you especially for taking the time to make this thoughtful video. It must have taken a lot to put yourself out there in this way, and it feels good to hear such a candid, heartfelt account of universal confidence issues in the rush and worry of everyday life!

    http://thatumamilife.wordpress.com - a clean eating bento blog. Japanese or Asian-inspired!

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  6. Love your heart to heart, genuine and down to earth videos.

    LIVE.IN.LOVE

    ~

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  7. I really enjoyed this video from you Jen, you are such a lovely person x

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  8. Thank you so much for making such a lovely video. I've gone through many changes this year and have really faced a lot of self doubt. Things have been better lately, but it's a constant battle. I really appreciate being reminded that I'm not alone in that. Thanks for being so open and genuine.

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  9. I've been a huge fan of you and your videos for a long time, but this is my first time to comment. I just want to say i am so much comforted and impressed by this honest, brave and wonderful video. Thank you so much for doing this. You are so great!

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    1. I'm truly honored to have a follower like you. To even comment for the first time means a lot to me! <3

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  10. gen, i have been watching your videos for quite a long time, i check your website almost everyday, i learned so much about make up knowledge from you, i have tried lots of products you've mentioned. i use to have no clue about make up, little by little, i found myself more familiar with putting make up on and know myself better. i like your videos, i like you, you are such a genuine person. beccause of my personality and all that, i dont like to leave message, or post anything, i have tried to post some message on your website a couple times, i always ends up deleting them. After watching this heart to heart video, i decide to be more open with my heart and my thought, posting this is my way of saying, you are the best!

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    1. Thank you so much for being brave and commenting! I really do read every single one and I take it to heart when someone comes forward and opens up. Thanks so much for being supportive and checking in and please, please don't delete your comment before posting in the future! It's not just me whom it can affect, but even a simple comment can have an impact on others as well. :)

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    2. Thanks for the reply, sorry for the typo of your name, i must got nervous that i put i name backwards and yours spells wrong, too bad i cant change the posted message, i guess there is a first time for everything. English is not my first language, but still i cant believe i did that. Thousand times of apology! And Thank you again for the reply, it means a lot to me.

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  11. Great video! :) i do felt the way you felt... i have an asian monolids eyes, and i have to wear an eye tape to make my eyes bigger. if i didn't wear it, i feel so ugly.That's why i have to wear makeup all the time to boost my confidence.
    Sometimes i do have an insecurity, i scared people will judge me a faker. Because people around me and my friends didn't wear any makeup on, they said it too much but i don't have any choice.
    So.. i have to build a confidence in me everyday ! as long as i'm happy with it
    Just like you Jen <3
    Your video really inspired me :D thx

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  12. Thank you so much for this video. This really hit close to home with me, as I am going through a stressful time in my life right now (and of course with that, out come the breakouts!) and my skin is really showing it. I too have struggled with acne from my early pre-teen years and now into adulthood, wondering when it will ever go away. I look forward to your blog and video updates every week, as your words are inspiring and give me the courage to believe in myself and to put my best face forward to face any challenge each day! And as other viewers have commented, you look amazing without makeup! :)

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  13. Jen: Thank you so much for sharing. This couldn't have been available at a more perfect time than now. I really needed this because I'm at the point where I've been given this great opportunity to grow and to do more good in my field of work, which is helping improve and maintain the well-being of the elderly who have cognitive impairment. I love my job so much because of the people I work with and for. My work does have its stressors, but at the end of the day I still find it worthwhile and rewarding because I know and believe I am making a positive impact on the lives of the elderly. At the same time, I'm a little scared and insecure about this new position that I could potentially have. I'm still waiting on a confirmed interview date, and because of this video, I feel ready to move forward and to do the interview. I'd admit that I had some tears while listening and watching this video. I know that if I am given this new position, there will be a lot of challenges and obstacles. Like you said, you need to have faith and hope and understanding that once you put yourself in the uncomfortable position, you'll learn and grow from the experience and next time it will be a little easier. I know that in interviews, you are supposed to highlight all the good parts about you, your skills, and what you can offer the company. I think I'm going to do things a little differently this time around. The individuals who will be interviewing me know me well because of the commitment, dedication, diligence, passion, and work I've done for them at the community for the last year and 8 months. As you have the courage to be vulnerable and authentic with sharing the insecurities you've had in this video, I'm going to be the same during my interview - completely open.

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  15. Love your ❤2❤ articles !
    Thanks for your honesty and courage !

    Xoxo,

    Michelle | MyWonders❤MesMerveilles

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  16. Hi Jen. Are you interested in the idea of making a video of a typical day of you. I think it's very interesting to share. Thank you. I am always inspired by your posts.

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  17. Jen: I was wondering if you've ever tried a overnight skin mask? There are these masks that you can wear while sleeping, and was wondering what you thought of them.

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  18. gah it makes me so sad to see someone this age still obsessed with such superficial and vain things. you put SO much emphasis on your appearance, it's really really sad. you should really think about things like what kind of person you want to be, what kind of wife/friend/daughter/sister you'd like to be, how you;d like to give back to your community, etc, and maybe volunteer some on your free time. it's like your maturity is stunted because you live in a bubble, so all you do all day long is obsess over your appearance

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    1. Jenn I don't ever post but felt I had to after reading some of the comments here. Excellent video - you are beautiful inside and out and it shows through this video where you are sharing our your own life experiences and encouraging others to love themselves inside and out. I find it sad that someone at whatever age would be quick to jump into conclusions about your life from a mere 13 minute video. I'd like to tell you I got nothing from positivity from your video, and I love your make up tutorials! I suck at putting on makeup (I have both lopsided monolids and weird hooded inner and outer v's) and I've learned a lot from the videos :)

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  19. Hi Jenn,

    I almost feel like I shouldn't be suggestion a solution on a post where we are discussing faith and accepting the perfection of imperfections. But, I thought you might be interested. You are not alone, I get post inflammatory hyperpigmentations from my acne too and I'm 31. This product speeds up the healing for me. Maybe it will work for you too.

    http://www.sephora.com/rapid-age-spot-pigment-lightening-serum-P4009?skuId=654095

    Thank you so much for sharing. I really do enjoy reading your blog. I totally agree with you.

    Love you back!

    http://sbbeautydiary.blogspot.com

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  20. Hi Jen!
    I've been following your blog for several years now but have never posted a comment. I love watching and learning from your tutorials and videos, because your inviting personality always puts a smile on my face :) This video is by far my most favorite that you've ever posted. There are so many of us out there who can't even find the strength to be vulnerable with our families or significant others, but here you are showing us that you can be completely vulnerable with the entire Internet and hey... things are still okay. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us--it is not an easy thing to do. The things you said in this video really resonated with me and I could not have put those thoughts into better words myself. I did not used to be a confident person when I was younger, but I have gained a ton of confidence through variations of all of the things that you talked about. Thank you again for sharing!

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  21. THANK YOU Jen!!!
    I needed this... God guided me here watch your video. I love you too...

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  22. Hi jen, I have been following you for some months now. I am French born chinese, that is what brought me on your blog first ( asian monolid makeup mainly). I stayed because I found you very sweet and simple. Anyway, just commenting to thank you for this video that will surely help many of your followers. Also, I wanted to say that you are really lucky to have both your sister and dad ok now one year later. I wish I had the same luck with my dad who was diagnosed with a lung cancer in 2012 and died less than one year later. I hope you have time to enjoy to enjoy your loved one company as much as possible. Sorry for any possible language mistakes in this post. Love from France.

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  23. Hi Jen, i really love this video of yours, it's just at the right time. I just got out of a 4 years r/s and we were supposed to be married next year. It totally crushes my self confident and self image, I've been dealing with low self esteem for my whole life. There are days where i feel really uncomfortable without my make up (been 6 years living with adult acne), but i remembered your video where you appear without and talk about it and i feel braver. Thank you very much Jen for all your inspiring videos. Maybe you can talk about heartbreak in your next videos? :)

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  24. Hey Jen,
    Can you do a heart to heart on your height? I am 5ft and I am subconscious of my height so I wonder if you have the same issue as well.

    Kreamblush

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  25. Hi
    I'm not commenting every time because I'm not really have good english and fear every time using bad word.
    But I think it's important to react. i'm impress for this video you seems so painful in your voice it's the first time I heard this in your voice (more important when it's not your mother language, you heard the real intonation more and more), and I didn't reallyse immediately that you are self confident.
    So real so true.
    Believe in himself is important, for sure.
    So Long time to you and your family and take every time the good side of things, it's the best way to be good with himself and others
    So thank you for this video ^^

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  26. Hi Jen,
    I only started watching your videos recently, but I was really touched by your heart 2 heart videos! As someone who has also had horrible acne as well as always having been skinny without many curves, I know how it can mold you and affect all of your behavior and how you see the world. I don't know what changed and when I finally became more or less okay with my figure (the acne finally got better with birth control use in my 20s, of all things) but it is nice to hear someone else ask why it is okay to criticize skinny girls for having no curves - we know, and we are jealous of anyone with a B cup and up! Thanks for having the bravery to post your videos. Keep up the good work! Also, you are beautiful with and without makeup!

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  27. Hi
    I have been watching your videos and reading your blog since a pretty long time. But I have never written anything or left a message to you. It's so touching to me when you are talking about how your setback (Acne monsters) are bothering and devastating your life. I know how that feels and can hugely relate to that as I got the same problem when I was younger. Thanks god who listens to my prayers and wipes off my tear with his soothing words. You and your family will be in my prayers even though we barely know each other!
    I am an Asian and I am proud to be one!

    Cheers!

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