Finding Myself in the Mirror: My Story of Growing Up With CMN

Growing Up Different

I am Naava, Growing up in a small village in Kampala, Uganda, I was born with a congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) on my face. It was a constant reminder that I was different, and it seemed like the world was always staring back at me. People would gawk, point, and whisper to each other, making me feel like a spectacle, not a person.

The Weight of Being Seen but Not Understood

As a child, I struggled to understand why God had made me this way. I felt like I didn’t fit in, like I was an outsider looking in. The constant attention and scrutiny took a toll on my self-esteem, and I began to believe the negative voices in my head. I felt unloved, ugly, and like I didn’t belong.

Searching for Purpose in the Pain

But somewhere along the way, something in me began to shift. I started questioning the idea that my difference made me “less.” My CMN was a part of me, yes, but did it define me? Did it get to write the narrative of who I was and what I could become?

The Turning Point

As I grew older, I began to see myself more clearly. I realized I was so much more than my appearance. I was smart, kind, talented, and full of potential. I had a perspective shaped not by shame, but by resilience.

Then one day, I looked in the mirror and saw someone beautiful—someone strong, someone who had endured more than most and was still standing.

In that moment, I understood that God had created me this way for a reason. My nevus wasn’t a flaw; it was a part of my story. It wasn’t a punishment; it was a path. A reminder that I was unique, valuable, and deeply loved.

My CMN Is Part of My Story — Not My Identity

Today, I embrace my uniqueness and celebrate my differences. I know now that I’m not alone. So many others struggle with feeling like they don’t belong or aren’t enough.

To you, I say this:

You are beautiful. You are loved. You are enough. The opinions or reactions of others do not determine your worth.

A Message to Anyone Who Feels ‘Different’

I share my story because I know how heavy it can feel to hide or doubt yourself. You don’t need to shrink to make others comfortable. You don’t need to change to belong.

Your uniqueness is an asset, a part of your brilliance, and the world needs exactly who you are.

Why I Share My Story

My journey to self-acceptance has been long and winding, but it has taught me so much about love, compassion, and resilience. I have learned to love myself—flaws and all—and to see the beauty in what makes me different.

If you’re struggling to find your place in the world, remember:

You are loved. You are valued. You are enough.

Your light matters, and your story has power. You are a precious gem, and the world needs your shine.

-Navaa

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