Your Stories…

See the amazing stories of inspiration and empowerment from those who ChooseREAL and encourage others that they are #MoreThanEnough.

Your Stories

I didn't always ChooseREAL.. Raw Exposure & What I Now Know

There was a time I didn't choose real. I chose to try and be like everyone else. I desperately wanted to fit in. But I couldn't. I was trying to be what I thought others wanted, but was always left feeling confused and empty. In my mind, I was not enough…

Slow Erosion >> We all Struggle Sometimes

#RealTalk - Been there for sure and actually feeling it right now... it’s been a really challenging last few months. In September I realized I've actually been BURNT OUT all this year. That felt right but sounded like a bit of a shock. I mean so often you hear about burn out being these life shattering stops and breakdowns, but I was still pushing on. However, I've realized burn out can also be a SLOW EROSION. Slowly loosing motivation, passion, energy, drive, joy, until it's just so hard to keep pushing through and your body starts forcing you to stop...

Honesty In Practice - Aurora Myers

To me, being real is being honest with others and myself about where I am and what I want to do. It doesn’t necessarily mean being unafraid or confident all the time. I’m insecure about a ton of things! But I purposefully put myself out there to remind myself that I’m enough and to be of support to others who are going through the same things.

Don't Let Fear Stop You - Rebekah

Being real to me looks like being genuine and vulnerable yet still holding on to the respect and values that make you who you are. It looks like stepping past the boundaries that fear has on us, that we face in our everyday world. Whether it be the words of the person you sit next to in school or something you read online...

Find Your Passion and Be You - Abby

Don't worry about what is "cool". "Cool" is a made up word for people who lack individuality. Be bold and put yourself out there. Dedicate your life to loving others and being a light in a dark world!

I am Unique - Haylie

I was told that I couldn’t be a model, that I should not smile because I had an UGLY SMILE and my teeth were not pretty. I didn’t know how to respond. I went into a shell deciding that maybe they were right. And then I STOPPED SMILING, because I felt so self-conscious.

Why ChooseREAL? Laura Bennett Shares 5 Empowering Reasons

For me being REAL brings about thoughts of authenticity: being true to our personal beliefs, and narrowing the gap between who we are on the inside, and how we represent ourselves on the outside. It’s about recognizing the value of your individuality, and courageously showing it off . . .

Why ChooseREAL >> It creates a culture of freedom >> It gives you room to fail >> It sets you on the path to your purpose >> It gives other people permission to ChooseREAL >> It's way more fun

Honouring My Scars - Linda

I choose real by honouring my scars rather than hiding them. Each one is a reminder of a battle fought, a challenge overcome, a mistake that has been redeemed and a lesson learned.

Just Me Is Enough - Jess

Being REAL is Authenticity & Transparency - Teni

ChooseReal to me means acknowledging that we are OK to be who we are. In fact, we are more than OK to do so because being real, staying real is necessary. Aiming to be and/or look like something you’re not is an impossible, relentless journey that will leave you unhappy and unsatisfied.

Imperfect World Changer - Jen

You are REAL because you're honest of who you are. I am REAL because I am not afraid to say that I struggle and that my life isn't Insta-perfect. Don't be afraid to be you. Don't be afraid to share your story. Be an imperfect world changer.

Claire - Social Media Always Left Me Feeling Inadequate

I used to spend hours scrolling through my feed, comparing myself and my life to every other woman’s on social media. Wishing for that hair, praying for those clothes, dreaming of that life. It made me feel awful. It took away the gratitude I had for my own life and replaced it with utter disappointment...

The Girl With Sparkle - Hannah

Being REAL looks like existing. It’s dressing the way you want, talking the way you want, and smiling as big as you want without worrying about others opinions.

Accepting Yourself in Every Moment - Tessa

I think being real is about acceptance. Being real for me is accepting myself for who I am at every moment of my life weather it's accepting my accomplishments or accepting that I'm not okay.

My Battle With Mental Health - Bella

Bella courageously shares some of her journey with mental health, inspiring us all that we are stronger than we think... I think the most important thing I learned is I am NOT MY OCD, I am not any of my illnesses, I am just a girl who had mental illness. I choose to be real and tell my story so that others can too, it's okay to not be okay and help is out there!! Thanks for letting me share all of this with you!!

Belly Love - Sabrina

My name is Sabrina - and yes I am poking my bare belly. I've always been self-conscious as a child about my weight, and even though family and friends always told me I was beautiful, I may have sheepishly smiled with thanks, but deep down never fully believed it was true... Being REAL to me means raw. Natural. Unedited. Uncensored. As you are. No games. No hiding. No cover-ups. TRUTH. Uniquely YOU...

A Recovering People Pleaser - Larrisa

Oh I am most definitely a recovering people pleaser! Comparison being my drug of choice for sure. What will people think of me if I am different, if I contribute to the discussion from my own point of view how will I be treated? Was I good enough to be in the team or leading the team just as I was? All of this internal dialogue kept me bound and second guessing for a long time. Looking back now I just think what a waste of precious energy!

Stop Hidding Behind A Mask - Elena

Bringing Hope - Brittany

My name is Brittany Schiavone. I am a 27-year-old woman thriving with Down syndrome and I #chooseREAL. That means I celebrate being who I am—how I walk, talk, look, and feel...

Being Authentic - Rachael

Strength in Vulnerability - Zelma

I kept saying to myself: "I'll do the selfie part when my skin is clearer/I've had more time to do my hair and make up/when I've tidied the house and there isn't washing everywhere". Then I realised - I am choosing real. Why would I want to contribute to such a campaign with a "fake" picture?! So here I am - in all my glory (or not) - as I am, no make up, pulling a weird face, but loving being part of this and being a voice for those who would be swallowed up by those same thoughts...

Getting Alongside - Diana

Being a part of the ChooseREAL campaign is about getting alongside women and empowering them to develop their talents and to encourage them to believe in themselves and that they are more than enough...

Lifting Each Other Up To Reach Our Goals - Gracie

I believe it is so important for girls to lift each other up and support each other. I am an 11yo competitive surfer out of Florida. I'm constantly competing against some of my best friends. I have learned to not compare myself to anyone else...

Don't Let Fears Hold You Back - Michelle Poler (The Fear Girl)

So excited to share this video with you! Michelle Poler is the amazing founder of Hello Fears - who bravely journeyed through 100 Days Without Fear, facing a different fear each day and inspiring millions along the way. She has put this beautiful film together in inspiration of the ChooseREAL Campaign! Standing with us as we encourage others to “choose to be you"...

I Won't Hide Behind My Imperfections

It's been a long 10 year battle, one that I am only recently overcoming... At 23 my face broke out in acne and the mirror became my enemy - highlighting the imperfections that I felt defined me, thinking "I was not pretty enough". But no more! ...

You are Unique and Beautifully made - Anna

Shareen - I'm Not Shrinking Back Anymore

Free to live Happily - Evelyn

Gabi - From Wards to Warrior

being real began with my being vulnerable. after six years in and out of psychiatric wards paying this dangerous weight game of relapse and restoration…

Ellie - Most Empowering Thing I Have Done

Bethany Hamilton SHARES why she chooses to be REAL…

"Choosing REAL is important to me, because I wouldn't want to be anyone else".

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Your story is so valuable to us and can bring freedom, hope and courage to others.

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Will you stand with us?

Be part of the movement by sharing a pic with you and ‘I #ChooseREAL’. Write it on paper, on your hand, print off our blackboard, chalk it somewhere – get as creative as you want. We just want to see your beautiful face.

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Posting your ChooseREAL Selfie

Thank you so much for joining us in our mission to encoruage girls to embrace and celebrate their REAL identity and value and live the life THEY CHOOSE. We are so passionate about empowering girls (and everyone) to know and live out the truth that they are loved and valued, that they belong, and that they are more than enough!

1. Follow our pages:
- Instagram – @esteemdesignz | @ichoosereal
- Facebook – Esteem Designz | ChooseREAL Campaign

2. Upload your ChooseREAL Selfie to your social media streams

Post a photo of you 'I #ChooseREAL + #MoreThanEnough – can be written on paper, on your hand, using our blackboard, chalked someone, get as creative as you want – we just want to see your beautiful face somewhere.

Tag us and our hashtags #ChooseREAL #MoreThanEnough

Encourage your friends to join and nominate people to post their own ChooseREAL Selfie. Let's take this message to everyone.

Thank you so much for being #MoreThanEnough - just as you are! You're amazing!

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What does being REAL look like for you?

What’s stopping you?

We invite you to share with us and inspire others with your story – it’s yours, its REAL, its unique.

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IT's Your Story

Simply click on the link above to share your story with us. Your story is so valuable to us and can bring freedom, hope and courage to others. Choosing REAL starts with a few courageous people who take a stand for their own lives and those around them. Whatever you'd like to share is a privilege for us to receive.

Thank you for being an inspiration to our growing community of girls and women standing up for each other in embracing and celebrating their REAL identity and value and living a confident and courageous life that they choose.

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We love seeing how others share and take on the ChooseREAL message. Share your ChooseREAL event - the journey, the transformations, show us pics, inspire others.

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