Sia’s Girl Talk Story

I wasn’t born confident. Even before turning 9, I knew I was “nothing special,” as I was told and treated as that. I was average at best at school and had no athletic ability. I couldn’t draw, paint, or play instruments as best as expected. I was not pretty. It was a shock to others when I finally got contacts and my braces off. They didn’t think someone was underneath the awkwardness; they may have even forgotten. I tried desperately to make them remember, to redeem myself of my shortcomings, the ones they defined for me, loud and proud. I would try and try at things I knew wouldn’t work in hopes that, by some miracle, I would finally have something I could say I was good at— something that I could call mine. I thought that I’d find that ‘something’ as I grew into my teenage years. I didn’t.

And I had no idea where to look or how to find it.  

My struggles with mental health have been a huge part of my life, starting as I transitioned into high school. Between hormones and chemical imbalances, I had no space to find myself. I have millions of thoughts racing through me every second; stopping them is difficult, much less impossible. Early on, I was rapidly losing the battle with myself. My confidence stayed stuck in my brain’s abyss as I tried to retake ownership of my mind. And on the journey there, my energy to explore had run out: I was officially lost. When you’re 14, you’re convinced no one understands you. But when I was 14, I was convinced I’d never know myself. I was exhausted from being me and didn’t even know who she was.

Girl Talk helped me find her.

Despite being reserved, I’ve always been outspoken. Regarding my mental health’s manifestations, it’s no surprise I feel deeply and wholeheartedly. On the last day of my first Girl Talk Camp as a counselor, my 15-year-old self felt so moved by the confidence journey of my Campers that I walked on stage and testified to it. Mildly blinded by the stage lights, with a microphone in my hand, I looked into the crowd of campers, counselors, and parents, and it all made sense. I finally felt good at something: public speaking. Since then, I’ve written, planned, and spoken at large protests in Washington, D.C., being recognized and published for it with my friends. I’ve learned to advocate and support others and their voices, working together to create long-lasting change. My confidence continues to flourish five years later, and the Girl Talk community reminds me I’m not alone when I struggle mentally.

Girl Talk didn’t just help me find myself: they helped me love myself, too.

I’m not who I was before Girl Talk, though I often think about her. I think of her with the care she craved and the grace she deserved. I think of her as something special.

I think of her with love.

Girl Talk has been inspiring girls like Sia to be confident leaders for over two decades, and in partnership with Dove and Sam’s Club, we will be doubling our reach nationwide. Join us in empowering thousands of more girls to build confidence and self-esteem through our peer-to-peer programs.

Learn more by visiting: https://samsclub.com/DoveSelfEsteem