Hey Reader,

My teenager is starting to apply for jobs, which means we’re suddenly having a lot of conversations about “experience” — or in his case, the lack of it.

He’s nervous. He feels like he doesn’t have anything to offer because he hasn’t had a real job yet. And wow, if that isn’t the most relatable feeling on earth. I remember that inner voice — the one that says you’re not ready, you don’t know enough, someone else is better at this than you. I still hear it sometimes.

But we’re flipping the script.

We’re talking about the skills he does have. Like being responsible enough to help with his younger siblings. Like showing up for school every day and managing a full schedule. Like being kind, dependable, thoughtful, and funny.

All of that? It counts.

I told him the same thing I have to remind myself of all the time: doing something, even when you’re scared, is better than doing nothing at all. Confidence doesn’t magically show up — you build it by showing up, one shaky step at a time.

You don’t need a paycheck history to be valuable. And you don’t need external validation to start building confidence. Sometimes, you just need to remind yourself what’s already true.

Weekly Tarot Card.

Let’s talk about that little voice in your head that’s convinced you’ll mess it up. The Five of Swords often shows up when we’re caught in our own mental tug-of-war — that cycle of overthinking, self-doubt, or assuming we’ve already lost before we’ve even started.

This card invites you to pause and ask: Whose voice is that, really?

Is it yours? Or something you picked up from someone else? (A teacher, a boss, a parent, a random troll on the internet?)

It’s time to check the facts.

You’ve done hard things before. You’ve shown up for stuff you didn’t feel ready for. You’ve figured it out. You can do that again. This card isn’t about avoiding discomfort — it’s about choosing which battles are worth your energy and silencing the ones that aren’t even yours to fight.

A Powerful Question.

What stories am I telling myself that aren’t actually true?

See ya next time.

Speak kindly to yourself. Build confidence even if your voice shakes.

Cheers,