I listened to Jen Sincero’s “You Are a Badass” a few months ago, when that belief was, for me, long gone.

I was struggling to keep going, to keep my head up, to manage my PTSD symptoms and to combat the constant anxiety, depression and self-doubt that plagued my existence. I thought the book was funny, but I doubted I’d connect to the belief that I’m a badass. How could I be when I was so limited by the effects of trauma?

I’m working out of town all weekend on a project that is personally and professionally important to me, and I’m already tired. Very tired. Hallucinate while driving back to my hotel after dark tired. All of my bones ache tired. Haven’t eaten for nine hours and not even interested in food tired.

And for the first time in a long time, I feel like a badass.

Not because I’m working harder or longer or doing more or contributing more than anyone else. It has zero to do with anyone else. It has everything to do with what I believe about myself, and I’m finally starting to believe again that I’m a badass.