Teresa Simmonds is creative, entrepreneurial, and gets to play with makeup for a living – and that is perfect.
“Stop comparing yourself to others, and happiness will follow you. I am proud of you”
June 28th, 2017
Those were the last words my best friend, my Mom, said to me privately before she passed from cancer.
For thirty-four years, I compared myself to everyone and anyone; I was never pretty enough, small enough, smart enough, strong enough, or good enough. I grew up in a house with four strong, brilliant, and vivacious women, and an intelligent father who believed finding your path involved family, God, university, and a high paying job. After receiving my degree, I told my parents I wanted to go to makeup school. Let me tell you, the shock was there. Although supportive, there was a little cajoling, “What about becoming a teacher?” I always felt that I was not as good as my sisters who are teachers, accountants, and pharmacists. I would joke about how I was the black sheep of the family because I played with makeup for a living. When I would tell people what my profession was, I would get a look of amusement or disbelief.
I started doubting myself and the career I chose. Unhappiness set in.
Why was I unhappy? It was because I looked at my family, friends, and people I did not even know, and I would compare myself to them. I started to lose control of my life. It was not until my Mom said those words to me that I knew I had to make a change. It has not been easy. With the help of my counselor, I have slowly started to move past a lot of self-doubt and damage done by bullies growing up.
I went back to school again to obtain a diploma in a career I am so passionate about.
Graduating with my Esthetics Diploma and working in the industry, I can finally say I am happy. I am on the way to owning my own business. The most important thing I have done is stop comparing myself to others.
I am me, and I am perfect.
