"You don't have to be perfect, just be you!"

Before she was beloved for her Emmy-winning role as Claire Dunphy on ABC’s Modern Family, Julie Bowen was busy balancing her acting career with raising three sons—and she wasn't always the confident, funny mom we see on TV. She says she “suffered the terrible disease of low self-esteem.” Here, Julie talks about gaining confidence and finding freedom from fear

- BONNIE SIEGLER

Actress Julie Bowen will never forget filming a scene for Modern Family with costar Ty Burrell, and blowing her line over and over again. “I berated myself, thinking I was talking too much, and Ty said, ‘Oh Julie, you are such a human.’ That just made me laugh,” she tells Woman's World. “I needed someone to say that to me—to remind me I don’t need to be perfect all the time.” And Julie admits that fear of making mistakes has affected her confidence through the years. “Self-esteem is my Achilles’ heel,” she admits. “But I’ve watched myself in blooper reels, getting things wrong, and I realized, wow, I am funny! I didn’t have to feel like this imposter all the time. Now that’s my little secret—I boost my self-esteem by staying in the now and remembering it doesn’t have to be perfect to be great.” Read on for more of Julie’s effortless tips for staying happy and healthy!

Don't miss Julie in Happy Gilmore 2!

Catch Julie reprising her role as Virginia Venit in Happy Gilmore 2, the sequel to the cult classic, which premieres on Netflix July 25. Adam Sandler also returns along with many original cast members. “My hand-eye coordination was never strong,” laughs Julie, who put down her own golf clubs at age 13. “This film is about family, friends, love and being human. Adam has a huge heart and family is a meaningful part of his life. Happy Gilmore 2 is an ode to that.”

Find peace in giving