Woman Shares Her 'Biggest Insecurity' to Help Others Overcome Theirs

It's easy to compare ourselves to the images of perfection we see on social media, which can often heighten our own insecurities. But one 23-year-old has taken to TikTok to change that narrative as she hopes to reassure people that insecurities are only in our own minds.

In recent years, Dana Cuccurullo from Long Island, New York, has gained a newfound confidence and learned to love every aspect of her body. However, that hasn't always been the case and it's taken time to develop a positive state of mind that allows her to love herself wholeheartedly.

Cuccurullo knows that not everyone has this positive mindset, so she posted a video to TikTok (@danacucc) last month urging people not to feel so insecure. In the clip, she explains that insecurities come from "the fear of being judged," but they're all in our heads and other people don't see them.

Overcoming insecurities is all about mindset, as Cuccurullo tells Newsweek that people have to realize that they're internal rather than external before they can "stop overthinking what others see." We might feel plagued by them, but on the outside, people wouldn't even notice.

Woman shares biggest insecurity
Dana Cuccurullo, 23, from Long Island, New York, shared a video to TikTok explaining her insecurity that other people can't see. Cuccurullo says it's all about mindset, and not overthinking it. @danacucc / TikTok

"Insecurities are a result of society, media, and consumption. What you see affects the way you view yourself. But no one knows what your insecurities are, so you're most likely not even being judged for it," Cuccurullo said. "No one is perfect, but the beauty in all of us comes from how unique we are because we're all one of a kind. We are perfectly imperfect, and that's something to celebrate not dwell over."

Since the TikTok video was shared, it has gone viral and generated more than 7.2 million views and over 525,300 likes so far. In order to prove her point, Cuccurullo asks viewers to guess her "biggest insecurity" by looking at her, and then proceeds to explain that sometimes she feels insecure about her arms, which most people probably wouldn't have even guessed.

While everyone's insecurities are personal, Cuccurullo suggests that they often stem from the shifting beauty standards that make people want to change themselves to follow current trends. But once people realize that their imperfections are what make them who they are, they will be much happier about the reflection staring back at them in the mirror.

It has taken a lot of personal growth and confidence for Cuccurullo to reach the point she's at now, and she hopes that using her social media platform will help others accomplish a similar mindset.

"Most of the comments are positive and people felt a sense of reassurance that they aren't alone, and my advice sparked something in them. However, a lot of comments are negative and didn't quite understand the point of the video," she told Newsweek. "There are people who see positivity, and there are ones who know it's there but choose to avoid it. The more insecure you are, the more envy and jealousy you develop."

TikTok Users React

The viral TikTok video has gained over 6,800 comments already, as some people posted about their own insecurities, while others praised Cuccurullo's words of wisdom.

One user wrote: "Everything that came to my head is what I'm insecure about for myself."

Another TikTok user commented: "Everyone needs to hear this!"

While a third responded: "Wow these comments are so disappointing. You're beautiful girl!"

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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Alyce Collins is a Newsweek Life and Trends reporter based in Birmingham, U.K. with a focus on trending topics that ... Read more

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