It’s OK to Be Seen
I struggle with imposter syndrome all the time. That nagging feeling that maybe I’m not good enough, not qualified enough, or that I should shrink myself down, take up less space, be quieter, be easier to digest.
For years, I worried I was ‘too much’—too loud, too passionate, too ambitious. I learned to make myself smaller to keep the peace, to avoid judgment, to fit in.
But here’s the thing: I was never meant to be small. And neither are you.
A friend recently told me about someone who turned up to an audition wearing a hoodie that boldly declared "Lead Role Energy" across the front. Some of the other actors thought it was pretentious, or obnoxious, but when I heard about it, I was struck by how powerful it is to own what you want. To deliberately step into your role, embrace your identity, and choose to be seen.
And this isn’t just about artists—it’s about anyone, in any role we play in life. At work, in our families, in our friendships, in our communities.
It’s not just about talent. It’s about being seen.
And the best part? You get to make that call.
Sometimes, it’s not about being seen by everyone—it’s about being seen by your people. The ones who celebrate who you are, rather than making you feel like you need to be more like them. But for that to happen, you have to show up. You have to let yourself shine. Otherwise, they’ll never see your light. And when they do? It’s a powerful thing. It gives others permission to do the same.
It’s easier said than done—I know. I still have to consciously make an effort to talk myself up, to put my hand up first, to take up space. But I’m getting there.
One of my favourite activities in drama class is having students stand tall, plant their feet firmly, and declare: “My name is … and I OWN this space!” At first, they giggle, they hesitate, they shrink. But as we continue, something shifts. Their voices get stronger, their eyes lift, and they step into their own power.
Because that’s what drama class does—it gives us a safe place to take up space. To own our voice. To say, unapologetically, ‘I am here, and I deserve to be.’
It reminds me of one of my favourite children’s books, Too Loud Lily. It’s about a hippo named Lily who is always being told she’s too loud—by her family and school friends, by the world around her. But then she finds a place where her ‘too much’ is just right. Drama and music give her the space to embrace what makes her special, rather than suppress it. I loved reading it to my kids because it’s all about turning what people see as your weakness into your greatest superpower.
If you’ve ever felt like you had to play small, I get it. But let this be your reminder: You are allowed to be seen. You are allowed to take up space. You don’t need permission to exist fully as yourself.
So whatever role you’re playing today—whether you choose to be in the spotlight or somewhere behind the scenes—stand in it with confidence. You belong here. And you don’t have to apologise for it.