The Gift You're Withholding From the World

May 28, 2026 - Allison Santana

One of my favorite things to do for other moms is take their picture. So many times, moms are behind the camera, being the record keepers, the memory holders. We're the ones getting everybody ready for the click of the shutter, or capturing the candid moments for our loved ones to appreciate later. But so often, there's no one there to witness us in the same way. That's why I love to snap a photo or make a cute edit of a video for the moms in my life, catching them right there in the moment.

As much as I understand the importance of witnessing another woman, I still struggle to see that same importance when it comes to getting myself in front of the camera. I'm not as self-conscious as I used to be. I'm not so worried about critiques of my appearance. My real question is: what's the point? What do I have to say that makes recording myself worth anything? Honestly, it can feel a little self-absorbed. I feel silly. I even feel selfish for stealing time away from my family just to sneak off to my car and find a quiet spot free from bathroom echo. I worry about sharing too much, about whether my kids will feel uncomfortable about it someday. They didn't sign up for any of this. And real talk, content creator was never consciously my number one goal.

A lot of that doubt and negative self-talk is rooted in trauma. A LOT of it is conditioning to be quieter, smaller, more palatable for others. Assuming the worst, believing that people don't want to see or hear me, that's a struggle I actively fight against every single day.

So if you're wondering why it matters to take up space, here's what I want you to hear: you are worth it. But beyond that, you need to risk being witnessed. This isn't only about what you can gain monetarily. It's about what you could miss out on, in terms of community, self-expression, and sharing your work with people who actually need it. To withhold yourself is to isolate yourself. And for what?

Now let's talk about the gains, because yes, there is money to be made. And for whatever it is you're putting yourself out there to do, you're also taking the risk that makes the reward possible.

xo,

Allison