In the 3rd grade, a snotty girl named Ashley told me I couldn’t be friends with her because my Mom didn’t buy my clothes at Neiman Marcus. I kid you not.

I remember that day on the playground like it was just yesterday…her sparkly headband, cardigan with gold thread and pink jelly shoes. I had clothes that were PLENTY cute–my Mom loved a good coordinated outfit–but because they weren’t from THE store this tiny tyrant demanded, I was now OUT of the group. 

Adolescence is hard. Period. 

The desperate need to belong…well, I’m not sure it actually goes away. And it’s truly universal. We’ve all been through it, and continue to. In fact the Surgeon General recently highlighted the epidemic of loneliness. Belonging is actually important for our health!

I had many more awkward years (am I still in them?), including the big, red Sally Jesse Raphael style glasses, the years I thought it was cute to fake tattoo around my belly button, the Blossom years with big hats with sunflowers, the year I was REALLY into cow print…yeah. It all just screams popularity, doesn’t it?

But somehow, all of those years built character–confidence even. 

Now I confidently do the dorky thing.

What’s it like being cool and nailing life in the spotlight? Well, this week’s podcast guest wouldn’t know. And clearly, neither do I.

This week on Bound + Determined, I’m chatting with Laura Belgray, founder of Talking Shrimp, co-creator of The Copy Cure with Marie Forleo and new author!

We’re talking all about her first book Tough Titties: On Living Your Best Life When You’re the F’ing Worst.