For a long time, I didn’t realize how much my insecurities were feeding my anxiety. I wanted to belong, to be liked, to feel seen. That led me to constantly seek approval online, especially in Facebook groups where I thought I’d find support.
But my insecurities got the best of me. I posted too much, leaned too heavily on others for reassurance, and ignored the unspoken balance communities need. Eventually, it backfired. I got myself banned from multiple groups. At first, I felt angry, embarrassed, and rejected. But after therapy and honest reflection, I realized the truth: I was the problem.
That realization was hard — but it was also the beginning of change.
What About “Third Chances”?
Sometimes it feels like I’ve had a million “second chances.” Every time I stumbled, I thought this would be the reset button. But instead of fixing the deeper issues, I’d recreate my brand — new names, new logos, new themes. On the outside it looked like “fresh starts,” but in reality, I was running from my insecurities.
The result? I left my audience and followers confused. They never had the chance to truly connect with me or trust my brand, because I kept changing it before it had time to grow.
This time is different.
Now, I finally got my brand right. I built something I’m proud of — with a new name, new designs, new blogs, new colors, and the same mission: sharing my love of pets, rescue, and mental health. I even wove in some of my hobbies, like reading.
It wasn’t easy to get here. I took the leap of faith six years ago when I opened my brand, trying to sell my art and chase the dream of making money with Photoshop. I was told it would never happen. Then I found print-on-demand, and suddenly the dream seemed possible.
But my journey was full of trial and error. I was insecure and fighting my own demons while trying to build my brand. I forced myself to work when I was drained, I let my anxiety dictate my choices, and I hurt myself in the process.
I regret how I treated those groups. I regret giving myself a terrible reputation in spaces that could have been supportive. I regret letting my mental health go untreated for so long. But I don’t regret the leap of faith I took.
Because even though it took six years and a new mental headspace, my brand grew stronger as I grew stronger. It evolved alongside me. And now, I can finally say I’m proud of what I’ve created.
How Insecurity Harms Mental Health
Insecurity isn’t just “feeling unsure.” It can seriously harm your mental health if left unchecked:
Constant overthinking. Every word, post, or silence feels like a judgment.
Dependence on others for worth. You stop believing in yourself unless someone else validates you.
Burnout from proving yourself. You overwork, overgive, or overshare to feel “good enough.”
Strained relationships. Friends, followers, or community members may pull away if your insecurity feels overwhelming.
Anxiety spirals. The more insecure you feel, the more anxious you become — and the cycle keeps feeding itself.
What You Can Do About It
Healing insecurity takes time, but here are practices that helped me:
- Self-validation first. Before hitting “post,” I ask: Am I sharing to connect, or just to be reassured?
- Journaling instead of spiraling. Writing my fears out helped me process them without dumping them on others.
- Therapy and support. Talking it through gave me tools I didn’t even know existed.
- Celebrate small wins. Not every step forward needs applause — learning to notice my own growth has been huge.
- Pause before rebranding. Instead of scrapping everything when insecurity hits, I sit with the discomfort and ask if it’s truly needed.
How I Rebuilt
After years of insecurity and rebrands, here’s how I began to rebuild my brand — and myself:
New name, same mission. I chose a brand identity that reflects my love of pets, rescue, and mental health without constantly changing it.
Consistency. I stopped reinventing everything and focused on showing up steadily.
Stronger designs. With time and practice, my art skills and Photoshop work grew — and so did my confidence.
Blogging my truth. Writing about my journey gave me a way to connect with people honestly, not just for approval.
Balance with mental health. I no longer force myself to create when I’m drained. Rest is part of the process.
Moving Forward
I can’t undo the past or erase mistakes, but I can forgive myself, keep learning, and show up differently. My brand has survived my insecurities, my mental health struggles, and countless rebrands — and honestly, so have I.
If you’ve ever been there too — insecure, anxious, stumbling through mistakes while trying to build your dream — please know this: you’re not broken. Growth is messy. But it’s worth it.
Your brand, like you, will grow stronger with every lesson learned. 🌱
