Own Your Power: A Women’s Day Reflection

Every year, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible achievements of women across the world. We look to inspiring figures—leaders, pioneers, visionaries—who have broken barriers and paved the way for others. But today, I want to shift the focus. Instead of looking outward, let’s take a moment to look inward. To see ourselves as role models.

For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with acknowledging my own accomplishments. I could admire others, cheer for their success, and recognize their resilience, but when it came to myself, I hesitated. I minimized my wins and magnified my setbacks. I thought that to be worthy of recognition, I had to be flawless, or have accomplishments that are seen as lofty in the eyes of society. And I know I’m not alone in this.

Why do we feel this way? Why is it so hard to see ourselves the way others see us? A big part of it stems from how we’ve been conditioned. Many of us have been raised in environments that encourage comparison rather than self-celebration. We are taught, often unintentionally, to measure our worth based on someone else’s journey—to strive for the next milestone, to chase perfection, to avoid failure at all costs. We don’t celebrate ourselves because we don’t believe we’ve done enough. And when we do stumble, we see it as proof that we aren’t capable, rather than as an opportunity to grow.

But perfection is a myth, and the real markers of success are not just the moments of triumph but also the lessons learned through failure. It took stepping away from my work, from Style with Tia, to truly understand this.

Last year, I hit a wall. Between burnout and a close family member’s major surgery, I felt overwhelmed. Creativity, something that always flowed naturally for me, became stagnant. I withdrew. I stopped posting, stopped sharing, stopped doing what I loved. It wasn’t just about the workload—it was the weight of self-doubt and exhaustion that made me feel disconnected from the very thing that brought me joy.

At first, I saw this as failure. But now, I see it as one of my greatest accomplishments. Because from that experience, I learned. I grew. I realized that resting is not quitting. That stepping back doesn’t mean you’re weak; it means you’re wise enough to recognize what you need. And most importantly, I realized that I had been waiting for someone else to inspire me, when all along, I had the power to be my own role model.

Burnout is something we don’t talk about enough, especially as women. We take on so much—the mental load, the emotional labour, the expectations of being everything to everyone. We juggle work, relationships, parenting, friendships, and somehow still feel like we should be doing more. And because we’ve been conditioned to think that struggling is a sign of weakness, we don’t always reach out when we need help. But the truth is, burnout doesn’t come from a lack of ability—it comes from giving too much of ourselves without refilling our own cup.

Taking a break from something or even stopping isn’t failing. Sometimes, we just need rest. We need to listen to our bodies and minds to hear what else they need. Trauma takes on different forms for everyone, and we all experience it for different reasons. Acknowledging that is one of the first steps to healing and growth. When we give ourselves grace to step back, to process, to heal—we allow ourselves to return stronger, wiser, and more in tune with our purpose.

This is why support systems matter. We need people we can lean on—friends, partners, family, or even professional help. We need safe spaces where we can be vulnerable, share our struggles, and hear the reassuring words, "I’ve felt that way too." You’d be surprised by how many women are carrying the same doubts, feeling the same weight, and waiting for someone else to say it out loud first. 

So today, I encourage you to have those meaningful conversations. Be honest about your struggles. Open up to your friends, your colleagues, your loved ones. There is so much power in shared experiences, and sometimes, simply knowing you’re not alone can be the first step toward healing.

Every challenge you’ve faced, every moment of self-doubt you’ve pushed through, every time you got back up when life knocked you down—these are the things that make you extraordinary. Others see it, even when you don’t. Your children, your friends, your colleagues, and even strangers watching from afar—they see your resilience, your kindness, your dedication.

This Women’s Day, I want to encourage you to see yourself through their eyes. Celebrate yourself not just for your achievements, but for your persistence. For the quiet moments when you kept going. For the times you thought you had failed, but in reality, you were just learning.

As for me? I still struggle with the idea that I’ve accomplished anything. I still need reminders from time to time. And that’s okay. I’m stepping back into what I love, embracing my journey with all its imperfections, and reminding myself that growth never happens in stagnation. Style with Tia is more than a brand—it’s a reflection of my passion, my creativity, and my evolution. And I’m ready to show up for it again.

To every woman reading this: You are worthy. You are inspiring. You are a role model, whether you realize it or not.

So today, don’t just celebrate women—celebrate yourself. Because you are incredible.

Happy Women’s Day.

With love,

Tia