Taking Risks In Life And Not Looking Back

Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong

Taking risks in life? Do we do it enough? Towards the middle of the year, after just launching my blog, I felt like I was being safe with my decisions. I didn’t take any risks to help my career, I didn’t just randomly book a plane ticket, or do something crazy and out of the norm for myself. I’m sure most of us can relate and I can understand why taking risks in life are hard.

What if you fail? If you look bad doing it? What if people talk and laugh at you? These thoughts begin to consume you and you ended up seeing September come by and you’re like what did I EVEN do this year?

taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong

Opportunity

I kept seeing on my Facebook over and over again to apply for the Miss Florida USA pageant. I didn’t think anything of it, because honestly, I’m FIVE foot, NOT under 100 pounds and didn’t think I was good enough to compete with the stunning ladies this pageant has had over the years. The doubt was just TOO powerful to overcome!

Couple days go by and still this pop-up is literally EVERYWHERE on my social media. Then on the eve of my 25th birthday, I thought to myself, “Karen, why not?” Think of the opportunities this could present, the people you could potentially meet, the network you could build. What this opportunity could mean for your brand?

That DOUBT was soon gone. I applied and said if it’s meant to be, I’ll get chosen as a delegate, if not, well I TRIED! If something keeps flashing on your screen or you keep thinking about trying it but are just unsure about it, DO IT! What do you have to lose? NOTHING! Yeah, it’ll hurt if you don’t get chosen but it simply just wasn’t meant to be. There’s always another opportunity waiting for you to try and KILL IT! Don’t let one hold you down, there’s plenty of opportunities to go around.

taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong
taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong
taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong

Don’t Ever Doubt Yourself

DOUBT was my biggest enemy. Taking risks in life was like what, I could never! It is SO hard to get that little voice inside your mind to actually say what you want it to say. But you have too just push the negativity away and chase your dreams and start taking risks to achieve something bigger. For YOU! Don’t let anyone, even yourself, talk you out of doing something you want to do.

It’s scary taking risks in life, I know, but the reward after doing it is indescribable, it’s like I just won the Super Bowl feeling! It’s a high that’s unparalleled to anything else in the world. You did something for you, you overcame any doubters, and YOU are set to prove them wrong.

taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong

Taking Risks In Life

When I arrived to orientation that Thursday afternoon, I walked into a room full of woman head to toe with full makeup on, glamorous dresses/jumpsuits, hair all done up, and everything. I literally thought about turning around and going back home. My Forever XXI dress just didn’t stand up to the other gowns. Then I realized, I was hand-picked to be here, I had earned my spot in this room just like all the other girls.

Out of over 700 women across the beautiful state of Florida, I was chosen to be in the TOP 200! So if the Miss Florida USA organization saw something in me, why couldn’t I? Again, doubt enter my head for a moment but I didn’t let it overcome me. I was going to be in control of my opportunity.

Now I knew I was going to have to interview with judges, learn choreography, be photo ready, walk in front of hundreds in a bikini and evening gown. ALL intimidating on their own! I just took each obstacle as its own and faced it head on. I KNOW, I KNOW!

Easier said than done, but that is a part of taking risks, learning to overcome any doubt/fears/insecurities you have. I knew I wasn’t I size 0 walking into this, but what made my body any uglier than hers, NOTHING! So why was I comparing? I had to happy in my own skin or I was just going to fail.

Taking risks in life is scary, it’s stressful, but it is something that helps you grow. My next post will be all about how the Miss Florida USA pageant completely changed my life, changed my outlook, and most importantly gave me CONFIDENCE in myself that I didn’t have before so stay tuned for next week.

taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong
taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong
taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong
taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong
taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong
taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong

CONFIDENCE:

A huge part of taking risks is having the confidence in yourself. Having the confidence to say, I didn’t achieve the reward I was looking for, but did I learn anything? Did I grow from this experience? And if you answered YES! Well, that sounds like you won something to me. During my 4-day weekend at the Miss Florida USA pageant, I grew more confident in myself. Did I win? No.

But I walked on stage in front of hundreds of people, the Chrisley Family, the Miss USA organization members, and walking on that stage I felt like I was on top of the world with all those people staring and cheering me on. I didn’t win the title but I won. All 200 woman are an inspiration to me and our sisterhood is unbeatable. Confidence in myself. The feeling like I could take on the world. I felt stronger than ever to empower more woman to take chances, create platforms, and change the world we know.

taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong
taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong
taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong
taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong

Taking risks can be scary, but it can BE SO SO rewarding as well. Who said you aren’t good enough? Who created that doubt inside you? I want you to ignore it. I want you to grab that doubt, that fear, that insecurity, and use it as motivation. Use it as a driving force to take that risk and smash it head on. If you don’t succeed?

Learn from it, grow from it, and in those moments is where you realize you may just have WON. “Nothing in this world is handed to you. You have to go out and get it! Nobody said it would be easy but hard work always pays off.” Comment below or email me, if you’re thinking about taking a risk and need some extra support. I want to hear your story!

taking risk in life, Miss Florida, USA, Organization, beauty pageant, confidence, beauty, empowerment, woman, change, strong

XOXO

Karen Giuliana

Karen Bardales
Karen Bardales

Hello loves, welcome to my blog! My name is Karen Giuliana Bardales and I am currently 31 years old. I was born New Jersey and raised in Florida, graduated from Florida Atlantic University and still residing in sunny South Florida.

The reason for my blog is to write about my experiences from traveling, the beauty industry, fitness and other things I love. I want to help inspire others through my personal experiences and be seen as a role model to young woman everywhere.

Thank you for reading and following along through my journey of life. Your support means everything to me, so thank you!

Find me on: Web | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

34 Comments

    • January 10, 2018 / 1:27 pm

      Thank you Nicole! 🙂 I’m excited to share. And thank you for leaving your site, so I can show some love too! â˜șâ˜ș

    • January 10, 2018 / 1:29 pm

      Thank you Nathalie, yes I know it’s hard at first but once you take that first risk everything else seems just easier. We had a coach her name is Dale Smith Thomas she is so inspirational and motivational that it brought out confidence in me. I would go check her out on her website or Instagram. I would love to hear about your journey! You got this girl! 😃

  1. Lauren
    January 10, 2018 / 1:15 pm

    Love this post! Self-confidence is key to success in everything you do!

    Lauren

    • January 10, 2018 / 1:30 pm

      It really is Lauren! Thank you for your love! 😀

  2. January 10, 2018 / 3:32 pm

    Thanks for sharing this. So motivating in many areas of life. We can’t let fear rule our lives.

    • January 10, 2018 / 4:23 pm

      Thank you Debbie for reading! So true, we just have to go live our lives and not let ourselves or anybody talk us out of it! Just go for it! 😀

  3. January 10, 2018 / 7:21 pm

    You are amazing, girl! Way to get out there and take a risk!

    • January 10, 2018 / 9:08 pm

      Thank you Sydney! It was hard but so rewarding! 🙂

  4. January 10, 2018 / 9:29 pm

    Taking risks, and even failing itself, are they keys & steps to success.

    • January 10, 2018 / 9:52 pm

      I couldn’t agree more! We have to fail sometimes to win later on. 🙂

  5. January 10, 2018 / 10:53 pm

    Way to take risks! With great risk comes great reward 🙂

    • January 10, 2018 / 11:40 pm

      So true Jess! Thank you!

  6. January 11, 2018 / 12:00 pm

    Good job taking risks and putting yourself out there like that!

    • January 11, 2018 / 1:13 pm

      Thank you Tiffany! 🙂

  7. January 11, 2018 / 9:48 pm

    you are an inspiration! Confidence and trusting your own capabilities made you reach the goal! congrats!

    • January 11, 2018 / 10:40 pm

      Awww MJ thank you so much for the kind words! Thank you!! â˜ș

  8. January 12, 2018 / 11:45 am

    How fun! What a success to celebrate. I look forward to hearing more about the specifics of the pageant and if you plan to do it again. Thanks for sharing!

    • January 12, 2018 / 3:31 pm

      Thank you Andrea! It was so life changing and such an amazing experience and organization! Thank you for reading 🙂

  9. Zwia
    January 12, 2018 / 6:19 pm

    It’s great you were able to get out of your comfort zone and try something different!

    • January 12, 2018 / 7:12 pm

      Zwia, thank you for the love! It was hard but we just gotta push it out our minds and just go for it! 😁

  10. Ariel
    January 13, 2018 / 4:15 pm

    I love this post for many reasons! First off it is really well written and speaks volumes. Secondly it was so courageous of you to actually put yourself through that pageant and I love it made you more confident. You looked stunning in all those pictures. All of your words of wisdom are so true. Thank you for sharing this, I needed this today.

    • January 13, 2018 / 5:38 pm

      Omg thank you so much! Your words truly mean everything to me. Sometimes we just have to put ourselves out there and just go for it. Thank you so much! 😘

  11. January 13, 2018 / 4:17 pm

    You are amazing!
    It’s not important if you win or not, it’s more important to take the risk. Sometimes we win sometimes fail but the confidence grows always. Wee done!

    • January 13, 2018 / 5:39 pm

      Thank you and I couldn’t agree more! It’s what we get out of the experience.

  12. January 14, 2018 / 10:20 am

    It’s fantastic that you have taken the chances – and it paid out! It often helps when you ask yourself what’s the worst thing that can happen – most of the time is not so bad that it should hold you back!

    • January 14, 2018 / 6:14 pm

      I totally agree with you! Just have to take the risk and go.

  13. January 15, 2018 / 6:44 am

    I have to say it – you look fabulous, girl! I hate taking risks but we need to do it from time to time! Amazing article! Very inspiring! Thank you for sharing your story! ❀

    • January 15, 2018 / 11:37 am

      Awh thank you so much girl! 😁 I’m glad you enjoyed reading it and go for it! Take that risk, don’t be afraid and just go for it! You’ll learn from that journey.

  14. January 15, 2018 / 11:17 am

    Amazing! I love that you went for it! It’s crazy how the things we have so much fear and doubt over are the things that can turn into wonderful life long experiences that grow us! Thanks for sharing this. So encouraging!

    • January 15, 2018 / 11:39 am

      Thank you Naomi! It really is. I was surprised too learn so much about myself. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂

  15. January 15, 2018 / 11:19 am

    So amazing that you stepped out of your comfort zone and went for it. Kudos to you! You looked and did amazing.

    • January 15, 2018 / 11:41 am

      Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for your kind words! 🙂

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