A Work in Progress: Learning to Trust Yourself Again

I sometimes wonder if it’s just me. Do you ever feel like you had all the answers, only to look back and realize you didn’t? That you thought you made the right decision, but somehow the situation ended up worse than where you started? You try to keep your chin up. You tell yourself, “It’s okay,” or, “It’s cool.” But deep down, you know it’s not. You are hurt, confused, maybe even a little disappointed in yourself.

And if we’re being completely honest, sometimes we repeat the same behavior that got us there in the first place. It’s like we expect things to change just because we want them to. We keep trying the same thing, hoping for a different result. Sometimes we’re not even sure why. Maybe it’s just human nature. Maybe it’s because we’re not ready to let go. Or maybe it’s because, underneath the pain and the pattern, we are still hopeful.

Hopeful that if we give just one more chanceHopeful that if we love a little harderHopeful that if we try one more time, things will change

And even when they don’t, we hold onto that hope.

Are We Foolish, or Just Hopeful?

So, what does it mean when we keep making the same decisions, even when we know they don’t lead us anywhere good? Are we foolish? Are we naïve? Are we weak?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Maybe we are just hopeful in a way that’s honest and deeply human. We want to believe in people. We want to believe in outcomes. We want to believe that our hearts, our intentions, our prayers, our choices will eventually align with something beautiful.

It doesn’t mean we are silly or crazy. It means we are still learning. And learning takes time. Mistakes are part of the process, not a sign that something is wrong with us. We are a work in progress. We are trying. We are showing up. And that matters more than getting it right every time.

The Moment You Wake Up

One day, it will happen. You’ll wake up, stretch your arms, take a breath, and decide: Today is the day I try something different. Maybe not something big. Maybe it’s just choosing to pause before reacting. Or saying no when you usually say yes. Or getting help instead of pretending you’ve got it all figured out.

You will look in the mirror and say to yourself, “I’m a work in progress, and I’m okay with that.” You won’t feel perfect. You won’t feel like you have all the answers. But you will feel ready. And that’s the beginning of change.

That’s the day your story starts to shift.

Giving Yourself Permission to Grow

Growth is rarely loud. It doesn’t always come with fanfare or applause. Sometimes, it’s silent and subtle. It looks like choosing not to respond to that text. It looks like taking time to journal instead of scrolling. It looks like finally signing up for that activity you’ve been putting off, even though you’re nervous.

It also means giving yourself permission to make mistakes. Again. And again. But learning something new every time.

The beauty of life is that it gives us endless opportunities to begin again. We do not need to be defined by the choices we made yesterday. Each new day is a soft reset. A chance to step forward. A reminder that we are not stuck. We are simply in transition.

The Importance of Trusting Yourself

When you’ve been let down by others or even by your own decisions, it’s easy to lose trust in yourself. You second-guess your instincts. You feel unsure about what’s right. You seek validation or permission before taking the next step. And while asking for support is a good thing, losing your inner voice is not.

So how do we get that trust back?

We rebuild it, one choice at a time. It starts small. You keep promises to yourself. You choose kindness over criticism. You reflect instead of reacting. You accept that sometimes you will get it wrong, but that does not make you broken.

That makes you human.

And that’s something every girl should learn early. You are allowed to be a work in progress. You are allowed to evolve.

Creating Space for Reflection

Sometimes the best way to begin again is by creating space to be still. Not every solution is found in action. Sometimes it’s found in quiet moments of self-reflection.

You could sit with a journal and write about how you feel

You could walk in nature and let the breeze clear your mind

You could listen to music that speaks to your soul

You could simply sit in silence and breathe.

Reflection helps us process. It helps us connect the dots. It reminds us that even the tough moments carry lessons if we are willing to look for them.

That’s one of the reasons we believe in building healthy habits through things like journaling, creative expression, and self-love rituals. These aren’t just trends. They are confidence-building activities for tweens and teens that teach emotional resilience. They give girls tools to navigate feelings, face challenges, and learn to listen to themselves with compassion.

Growing Without Shame

There’s a moment that often happens after we realize we messed up. Shame creeps in. We replay what we said, what we did, how it turned out. We ask ourselves why we did it again, even though we knew better. And then we start to label ourselves.

We say things like:

“I’m so dumb.”

“I always mess up.”

“I’ll never learn.”

But none of that is true.

You are not your mistake. You are not your misjudgment. You are not stuck in your past decisions.

You are learning. You are growing. You are showing up.

There is power in reminding yourself that your past does not define your future. Even if no one else says it, you can say it to yourself. I am allowed to grow without shame.

Little Reminders Make a Big Difference

It may sound simple, but sometimes the smallest reminders carry the most weight. A sticky note on your mirror that says “You’ve got this.” A soft journal where you can write freely. A surprise note from a friend. A thoughtful item that makes you smile on a hard day.

These little things are not just cute. They are powerful tools for self-connection and encouragement. This is part of why curated moments of joy whether in a monthly self-care box for girls or something you create on your own can help girls feel grounded.

These moments aren’t always about buying something. Sometimes they’re about receiving something meaningful that reflects who you are or who you’re becoming. It’s less about material things and more about experiences and reminders that affirm your growth.

Becoming Who You’re Meant to Be

Who you are today is not who you will be a year from now. That’s the beauty of life. We are all becoming. Some days we move forward with confidence. Other days we stumble and fall. But we rise, again and again.

You may be eleven, thirteen, or fifteen years old right now, just trying to figure it all out. You are not expected to have all the answers. Even grown women don’t. But you are expected to keep showing up for yourself, to keep trying, to keep believing that something good is on the horizon.

This is why spaces of empowerment matter. Whether it is a curated gift box for 10 to 15 year olds, an encouraging community, or a project that makes you feel proud, these are all ways to remind you that your journey is worth investing in.

You Are Not Alone

If you’ve ever thought you were the only one who felt this way, like you were the only one struggling to make good decisions or wishing you could take something back, know this. You are not alone.

Every single one of us has questioned ourselves. Every single one of us has wished we had handled something differently. Every single one of us is trying to get it right.

And the best part is, we don’t have to walk this journey by ourselves. We can learn from others. We can lift each other up. We can offer support, even while we’re still figuring things out too.

Starting Again Without Fear

Here’s the truth: starting over doesn’t mean you failed. It means you are brave enough to try again.

It means you believe in your future more than you fear repeating your past. It means you are not giving up on yourself. That’s what courage looks like.

So, whether your reset looks like rewriting your goals, asking for help, setting new boundaries, or simply choosing peace, do it without fear.

Because every new beginning is a sign that you believe in something better.

And believing in something better is what helps us grow. It’s what helps us transform from someone who doubts to someone who trusts. From someone who hides to someone who shines. From someone who is hurting to someone who is healing.

A Final Word for the Girl Who’s Still Figuring It Out

You are not broken

You are not lost

You are not behind

You are becoming

You are evolving

You are rising

And you are worthy of every new beginning

So, the next time you mess up or feel unsure, remember what you told yourself. I am a work in progress, and I am okay with who I am.

And that, my love, is more than enough. #HeyDollstrong