From Where You Are: #StartWithin and Embracing Your Unique Journey

Have you ever caught yourself thinking you need to have everything perfectly in place before chasing after a dream or making a meaningful change? You're definitely not alone. 

We often delay our aspirations—starting that business, going back to school, or finally investing—waiting for a time when life feels more settled or we're more confident.

But guess what? The perfect moment you're waiting for is right now, exactly as you are. That's the essence of the #StartWithin philosophy: empowerment doesn't wait for ideal conditions—it thrives right in the middle of your beautifully messy life. 

Your journey as a Filipino woman is unique, filled with valuable imperfections, detours, and lessons that make your story powerful. Instead of saying “I’ll do it when I’m ready,” you flip the script to “I’ll do it to get ready.” Each step you take from where you stand now helps you grow into the person you’re striving to become.

Letting Go of the “Not Enough” Mindset 

One of the biggest hurdles to starting within is the nagging thought that we’re not enough – not experienced enough, not knowledgeable enough, not something enough. If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re far from alone. 

Many of us grow up believing we must be flawless in our roles – the perfect daughter, top student, ideal mother, exemplary employee – and so on. These expectations can weigh heavy. By the time we consider pursuing personal goals, we might feel we’re falling short of some invisible checklist. 

So how do we break free from the “not enough” mindset? It starts with recognizing it. Pay attention to those moments you tell yourself you’re not ready or worthy. 

Challenge those thoughts as you would challenge a friend who downplays herself. Wouldn’t you tell your friend she absolutely is enough? Offer yourself that same kindness. Real empowerment grows from self-compassion – acknowledging your worth and forgiving your own imperfections.

Embrace Your Journey – Every Bump and Detour 

Your path in life is uniquely yours, and there’s strength in owning that. Maybe you took a break in your career to raise kids, or perhaps you pursued a field of study that you didn’t end up loving, and now you’re charting a new course. 

These twists and turns aren’t failures; they’re simply chapters in your story. When you embrace your journey, you give yourself permission to be a work in progress. You realize that nobody has it all figured out, no matter how perfect their life might look from the outside.

Try this exercise: list down things you’ve accomplished or overcome that you once thought you couldn’t. Big or small, it doesn’t matter. It could be “got through college while working part-time,” or “learned to cook and started a side hustle selling food,” or even “finally started an emergency fund.” 

This list is proof of your capability. It’s your reminder that you have started from scratch before, you have grown, and you can do it again. 

Every Filipino woman’s journey will look different—some start businesses in their 50s, others find their passion straight out of school, some juggle corporate jobs and family, others excel in community leadership. 

There’s no one template for success or empowerment, and that’s a good thing! It means your journey can be authentically yours without comparing it to anyone else’s.