The Jaime David Podcast – Episode 31: Shades is out now!
Check out the original post here!
Shades
I used to wear them all the time.
I’d wear them so I could cover my eyes.
At least, that’s what I thought for the longest time.
As years have gone by, I have realized,
Deep down, I was insecure on the inside.
I felt that I needed to wear sunglasses
Because I thought it would somehow boost my confidence.
In reality, that was not the case.
I was not being honest.
The reality was, I was too scared to let people get to know the real me.
When I put on the shades, I felt like I was a more confident me.
I felt I could do anything.
Without my shades, I felt afraid.
I felt as though people would judge me for being me.
But now, I don’t need them.
I don’t need a piece of apparel
Or some sort of fashionable eyewear,
To make be a confident individual.
That has to come from within.
I still like wearing shades from time to time,
But now, I am happy with who I am on the inside.
Listen to the episode here!
Read the episode transcript below!
JAIME DAVID (host):
Hey everyone, welcome back to The Jaime David Podcast. You’re listening to Episode 31, and today’s topic is personal—deeply personal. It’s about shades—yes, sunglasses—but more importantly, it’s about the layers we wear to hide ourselves from the world, and sometimes, from ourselves.
This episode is all about vulnerability, confidence, and the journey from fear to self-acceptance.
Let’s begin with the poem. It’s called “Shades.”
Shades
I used to wear them all the time.
I’d wear them so I could cover my eyes.
At least, that’s what I thought for the longest time.
As years have gone by, I have realized,
Deep down, I was insecure on the inside.
I felt that I needed to wear sunglasses
Because I thought it would somehow boost my confidence.
In reality, that was not the case.
I was not being honest.
The reality was, I was too scared to let people get to know the real me.
When I put on the shades, I felt like I was a more confident me.
I felt I could do anything.
Without my shades, I felt afraid.
I felt as though people would judge me for being me.
But now, I don’t need them.
I don’t need a piece of apparel
Or some sort of fashionable eyewear,
To make me a confident individual.
That has to come from within.
I still like wearing shades from time to time,
But now, I am happy with who I am on the inside.
JAIME DAVID (host):
This poem hits close to home for a lot of people—myself included. It’s amazing how something as simple as a pair of sunglasses can become armor. A way to mask insecurity, a way to build a persona.
We tell ourselves that confidence comes from how we look, what we wear, how we’re perceived. But true confidence? It comes from accepting yourself—flaws, fears, feelings and all.
Wearing shades made me feel untouchable, cool, in control. But underneath that tint was anxiety. There was a version of myself I was too afraid to show. And I think a lot of us do that—we wear metaphorical shades: fake smiles, tough talk, silence, perfectionism.
But once I began to drop the performance and lean into authenticity, I found something stronger than any façade: peace. Real confidence. Not the loud, showy kind. The kind that says, “Yeah, this is me—and I’m okay with that.”
And you know what? I still wear shades sometimes. I like them! But they’re not a mask anymore. They’re just an accessory—not a shield.
So if you’re listening today and you’re hiding behind something—be it sunglasses or sarcasm or silence—take a breath. You’re not alone. And you don’t need to hide to be worthy.
Thanks for tuning in to The Jaime David Podcast. That was Episode 31: Shades. I appreciate you being here, and I hope you keep finding your way back to your real self—unfiltered and unafraid.
See you next time. Stay bold, stay honest.
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