Fleeting coments that have stayed with you and cheered you on

[FleaDog]

In reference to the AIBU thread about really awful comments some people have received that have had a negative impact (a really interesting read and lots of women that have had crap said to them that is uncalled for). let's contrast it with kind words that have stayed with you.😊

'You aced it - you were the top scorer' - after interview panel for a job I really wanted, when I had never excelled at interviews before and had a lot of hangups as a result.

'You've just got it' - lovely colleague after delivering a presentation/training session. Again lots of hangups up to that point about not being extrovert/articulate enough to be a good public speaker.

I've never completely conquered my inner imposter but I use these comments to shut her up whenever she gets too loud.

When i birthed my first born i felt useless as ended up having a forceps delivery after a spinal (in case forceps failed and they had to go to c section). I couldnt feel my bottom half to push although was trying to do as instructed and push in time with the forceps.
The midwife at Liverpool womens at the end told me "he couldn't have done it without you" and whether it was true or not, it was kind to say. My daughter breastfed immediately and i also remember her walking past and saying "she'll be on the steak dinners next" because she was really going for it. Small acknowledgements that things are going right are really important for new mums.

When I was about 11 or 12 I was in a swimming costume as my class was going swimming, and a girl said "you have a beautifully defined back".
It was so precocious and precise, that was over 20 years ago now and I still remember it

Two incidents for me. 20+ years ago I decided to study GCSE and then A level Law at night school. I was pregnant with my third child and had been a full time for a few years. My A level lecturer (retired barrister) asked me if I would take it further and build a career in law. I said no but he told me he really thought I could do it. 10+ years later I did a full time law degree and am now a solicitor (qualified at 50).

Also a few years ago I contributed a recipe to a charity cookbook. I saw that Nigella Lawson had bought a copy and tweeted about having imposter syndrome - she replied and said we all have it and should have more confidence in ourselves.

” You could do stand up!”
said my friend in stitches after a funny night!
I’m not that funny but this warmed my bones 😊

Not so much ‘said’ but an act of loving support that I always smile about:
My brother’s Father’s Day cards he used to send me when I was a young single mum. They were always SpongeBob cards. 😁
I miss my brother dearly. He passed away. But his love gave (and still gives) me so much strength and hope.

A homeless man I chat to sometimes. I hadn't seen him for a couple of weeks - we kept missing each other. I was worried about him, but when I finally caught up with him, his first words were "I was worried about you! I was worried about what would happen to your cats." I mean, he has enough on his own plate without thinking about me.

The nicest thing my dad has ever and probably will ever say:
"You do have a great relationship with DC"
It really made me feel glad I've changed the mould and he at least recognises that.

When I had failed my AS-levels (EECU) and the sixth form was going to kick me out, my chemistry teacher heard and took me off to a corner for a pep talk. I remember her looking me in the eyes and going 'I believe you can do and if you do we can come back from this stronger and show them all.'
I convinced the head to let me stay and ended up with an A in Chemistry and doing a chemistry degree