797: Turn Insecurities Into Strengths With Kim Fernandez

Kim Fernandez is a professional model, writer, and Co-Founder of KimChi Communications. She started modelling professionally when she was 17 years old after joining Ford Supermodel of the World Philippines and finishing as a runner up in the competition. She was still in college when she started modelling so she had to juggle both of her studies and career. Pretty much almost 10 years of her life was dedicated to modelling. Kim has had a couple of corporate jobs, working for an ad agency and a community magazine. She has always loved writing and when she got the chance to have a career in writing, she grabbed that opportunity real quick. She is currently writing for a tech website and a retail learning channel, where she also works as its community manager. Recently, she started a company, KimChi Communications, which is a creative writing agency based here in the Philippines.

Kim shares about the insecurities she used to deal with such as her height and how she was able to turn them into her strengths. She also shares tips to help you in your own journey to self confidence.

Bio

Kim Fernandez is a professional model, writer, and Co-Founder of KimChi Communications.

Cultural Background

Kim is of Filipina and Taiwanese descent.

Favorite Self Confidence Quote

Believe in yourself and the rest of the world will believe in you.

Definition of Self Confidence

Self confidence is accepting who you are and believing in yourself. Most of us have always wanted to be someone else or to possess qualities other people have. A lot of people, especially here, doesn’t like their own complexion and will do everything to either get a fairer skin or a tanned one. And not just about physical appearance, also talents, skills, attitude, and a whole lot more that sometimes we wish we have because we think that if we will have these qualities we will be more confident or we will be a better person than we are right now. But she believes that we possess them already. All we have to do is accept ourselves, the way we look, the way we talk, our skills, talents. Once you accepted who you are, believe that you have everything you need, believe in yourself.

Her Life Before the Discovery of Self Confidence

Kim used to be very insecure of herself. She grew up being always the tallest girl in the room, sometimes even taller than her male classmates. She never got bullied with her height, but she always wanted to have the same height as her peers. She didn’t wanna stand out, she wanted to fit in.

The “AHA” Moment

When Kim started fitting in, she realized she is not truly happy. She kept comparing herself with other people, checking what’s on their plate and hoping to have the same as what they have, but she realized that it isn’t her. That she molded herself into someone she herself doesn’t even know anymore. She realized what was wrong, she is fitting in. And that’s not how it supposed to be, she should accept herself. Simple stuff like music genre, movies or series, those even small things, or even mundane things, those small decisions that she makes affects her self-confidence. The more she chose to fit in, the more she didn’t have confidence in herself. Because she didn’t believe in herself, she believed in other people (their likes, decision etc.) and more so because she didn’t accept herself. The AHA moment is when she realize that it’s okay to stand out, because of her height mostly, because she can change that, that’s who she is. She should accept that and believe in herself. And look, the thing she is insecure about is one of the reasons why she became a model.

Her Life After the Discovery of Self Confidence

Kim feels liberated. She doesn’t have to keep second-guessing herself just because someone has something she doesn’t have. She believes that the only person you need to be better than is yourself. The only person you should compare yourself is from who you were before.

The One Self Confidence Tip For the Listener

You are what you need, and don’t compare yourself to other people. Don’t try to be better than other people, be a better version of yourself. Accept who you are and believe in yourself. Give yourself some credit, girl!