16 Comments

I could not agree more! I’m rarely confident but I’m *always* steadfast. Eyes on the prize x

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Just subscribed to your Substack and have already spent half an hour just reading your wonderful writing! Loved this piece in particular. My 16 yo is struggling with her mental health and I keep banging on about confidence, but actually steadfastness is such an underrated skill and one that I will definitely be encouraging my girls to cultivate. Sometimes we just have keep on keeping on.

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This is the best thing I’ve read in ages Katherine - thank you! I sent it on to my daughter who’s just started her first year at Uni this weekend as I’m sure it will help how she’s feeling right now xx

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I LOVE this essay, I found it comforting, inspiring and beautifully written. And it captures the essence of a truth I’ve really struggle to explain. I think there are many of us who *look* like we’re doing a lot, and when we need talk about our anxieties and insecurities, it’s difficult to feel heard, understood or believed. We’re not necessarily drawing on vast reserves of self belief, (I WISH!) but the scraps of tenacity that allow us to Keep Buggering On.

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"scraps of tenacity" - there's something most of us can relate to.

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This is a brilliant piece of writing and just what I needed to hear on a Sunday night before a week of work. Thank you.

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I love this so much Katherine. I spent a lot of time thinking if only I were more confident I’d be able to do more things. It’s only really in this the last few years I’ve realised that quietness determination and sussing out it’s not really bout me. That means I press the send button more often than not and my mantra is ‘Let’s just keep going’. It makes a difference as to what I can achieve. 💫🙏

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This is exactly the piece I needed to read right now when my confidence feels at 0 but my ambition still burns. LOVED this.

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This is so meaningful, so valuable and true. Like the old sage fable (slow and steady wins the race), I'll take the stamina of a tortoise every time.

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The huge struggle seems to include a combination of self-confidence and perseverance. Any of us could rightfully claim the latter. I wouldn't know, but maybe self-confidence is the after-burner.

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I love this, it’s something I’ve thought about before. I think lots of brilliant women can appear outwardly confident but they’re the sorts of people who are actually very steadfast!

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Oh this came at a moment I too needed to hear it. I just never looked at confidence from this perspective. Thank you.

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Instructive and timely.

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Great piece KO. Very true and an important tactic to have in the tool kit, will practice using it. And beautifully written as always

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I sent this piece to my three children as they all exhibit steadfastness in themselves. So far only one of them has recognized it.

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So true, and agreed in principle, though in practice it isn't always as simple.

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