I used to be afraid of tools like ChatGPT. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought, What if it steals my information? That fear came from not knowing enough. It also stemmed from a deeper place. It was the kind that whispers, this space wasn’t made for you.
As a Black woman, I’ve learned that hesitation often comes from history. It stems from being told to be careful. We are advised not to take up too much space and to play it safe. But as I sat with that thought, something shifted.
I started remembering those TV shows where wealthy people spoke into the air. Their digital assistant answered like a modern-day “Jeeves”: “Would you like me to write that for you?” For so long, technology like that seemed reserved for someone else — someone with privilege or power.
But the truth is, we have that power too. Everyday people — creatives, caregivers, teachers, entrepreneurs, dreamers — can use these same tools to imagine, build, and grow. It’s not about status. It’s about perspective.
When I reframed my fear, I realized this: technology isn’t stealing my creativity. It’s helping me organize, amplify, and honor it. It’s giving shape to ideas that once stayed trapped in my head or hidden in my notes.
AI has become a quiet creative space for me — a place to process, brainstorm, and write freely. It’s not replacing me; it’s reflecting me back to myself.
Sometimes, the real work isn’t learning how to use new tools. It’s learning to trust ourselves enough to use them.
Reflection Prompt:
Where are you still hesitating because of fear? What might happen if you reframed that fear as an invitation?
Author’s Note:
This reflection began as a simple thought during one of my quiet walks. I realized how often fear hides behind unfamiliar things. For years, I kept ideas locked in my voice notes, too afraid they weren’t “real writing.” Using technology became part of my healing process. It served as a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be honest. What once felt like a threat has turned into a trusted companion for clarity and growth.
By Tonia Tyler | #ConfidentStrides | Sweet N Social
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Some of the best things in life happen when you least expect it. That’s the joy of staying open minded to new ideas, new concepts and new people. You don’t grow when you stay enclosed with the same thought patterns and social circles. Each new thing is an opportunity to grow either spiritually, mentally or emotionally. I have in the past said “what’s the worst thing that could happen?”, now I ask “what’s the best?”
I worked with a civilian contractor early in my military career. Whenever I would say “life sucks”, Mrs. Brown would reply back with, “life is what you make it.” Now more than 25 years later, I finally understand what she was trying to say. What we choose to focus on, is what we attract, whether “good” or “bad”. In other words, like Facebook, once you begin a search, it will continue to feed your timeline with similar posts.
The one investment with the biggest return is the one you make in yourself. Skills can be learned and characters can be built. Make yourself a priority and know that you are worth every penny spent.
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