6ft of Presence (And why I finally stopped slouching)

Hey love, it’s Nnemoma.

I have a confession: for most of my life, I tried to make myself physically smaller.

See, I’ve been 6ft tall since... well, it feels like forever. I was always the tallest kid in the room, even back in kindergarten. Imagine being the only Black girl in an all-white environment and also towering over everyone else. I didn't just stand out; I was a landmark.

I hated it.

I spent years "bracing" myself against the world by slouching. I tried to pull my shoulders in and round my spine, hoping that if I just tilted my head enough, I’d blend into the background. Then came the dating years—and let me tell you, nothing makes you feel more "awkward" than being the girl who literally overlooks everyone at the party. I felt like my height was an inconvenience, a "too much-ness" that I needed to apologize for.

The Epiphany

But then, something shifted. I realized that my height wasn't a mistake; it was a mandate.

I had this radical epiphany: I am an Amazonian Goddess. I wasn't given this height to hide it. I was given this frame to take up space, to use my voice, and to carry the healing powers I’m here to bless the world with. My height is part of my frequency. It’s part of the PRESENCE I have when I walk into a room before I even say a single word.

When I stopped trying to shrink to fit into other people's comfort zones, my whole life expanded. I realized that if God wanted me to be "manageable," I would have been made shorter (no shade yall!). But instead I am a pillar.

Own Your Stature

Maybe you aren't 6ft tall, but I bet there is something about you that you’ve been trying to "slouch" around. Maybe it’s your big ideas, your loud laugh, or your unconventional way of seeing the world.

Whatever it is, own it. Stop rounding your shoulders. When you walk into a room, don’t look for a corner to hide in. Walk to the center. Your presence is a gift, and the world is waiting for you to stand at your full height.

For the Visionaries Ready to Stand Tall

This is exactly why I do the work I do. My Group Coaching Sessions are a sacred space specifically for Women of Color entrepreneurs who are tired of sitting on their God-given ideas.

If you’ve been "slouching" in your business, waiting for permission to be "too much," or hiding your brilliance because you’re afraid of being seen in your fullness—this is for you. We aren't just building businesses; we are building meaningful legacies. It’s time to stop shrinking and start leading with the presence you were born with.

Claim Your Space in Coaching

Go ahead—straighten your spine, lift your chin, and remember: you are a goddess. The view is much better from up here.

With love,

Nnemoma

Journal Prompt

In what area of your life or business are you currently "slouching" to make others feel comfortable? What would change today if you decided to own your full presence and take up the space you were designed for?

A Moment for Reflection

Take a breath right now. Scan your body. Are you "slouching" right now? Are you trying to appear small?

Today's Practice:  lift your chin up and stand tall. Look in the mirror and agree with yourself that you look powerful standing head high. Feel the weight of it. Feel the power in it. You were made with intention; it’s time to live that way.

By Nnemoma Chukwumerije, Founder of Essence of Freedom

This piece was written in collaboration with Eke Ezinne, Content Assistant at Essence of Freedom