Being Your Authentic Self

I recorded a spontaneous-on-the-trail video the other day and put it up on Instagram. It spoke to so many that I felt moved to also pose these questions to you all…to probe a bit deeper…and, to hopefully inspire others to take aligned action on their own behalf in this vein.

What if you stopped filtering yourself to fit the mold of what you think others want to hear or experience from you?  Of how you imagine others perceive who you are and what they expect you to do and say…and act on the whole.

What if you wrote, spoke, and lived from the genuineness and truth that sits deep in your bones—the truth that sometimes whispers and sometimes roars, but is always there?

What if you moved through the world anchored in your authentic self and let the chips fall where they may…in your work, in your relationships, and in your community?

I don’t mean the curated and censored version of you…the one who, perhaps, tip toes around to not ruffle any feathers. The one who stays quiet even though, perhaps, there is a fire burning inside of you that is begging for attention.

Not the polished, perhaps hesitant and stifled version of you….the one that has been shaped and molded by years of social conditioning and quiet, internal self-doubt.

I mean the authentic, vulnerable, unguarded, courageous, powerful, and rooted YOU.

What if you just gave yourself permission to be exactly who you are in all of your messy, beautiful, glorious, fumbling, and profoundly powerful ways? What would happen?

Would some people not understand? Maybe.
Would you risk judgment? Probably.
Would you feel the relief of no longer carrying the weight of constant self-editing and diminishing? Absolutely.
Would you attract the “right” and aligned people, opportunities, and energy? Without a doubt.

For too long, many of us, as women, have measured our words, softened our edges, and shaped ourselves into what feels acceptable—what keeps the peace, what won’t rock the boat or step on toes.

We have, perhaps, swallowed our opinions, internalized our beliefs and needs, hesitated before speaking up, felt diminished for who we are in our upright selves, and/or dulled our shine in an effort to blend in…stay small, hidden, and under the radar.

Does this resonate for you personally?

Over time, this way of existing can take a toll on our self-worth, on our self-confidence, our relatability, and on how we move through the world on the whole. We begin to lose touch with our own voice. We second-guess ourselves before we even open our mouths. We abandon parts of ourselves for the sake of fitting in, being liked, or avoiding discomfort.

And our bodies take on the cellular imprint of this disempowering way of living which can be tremendously detrimental to our health and well-being.

Where in your life do you feel yourself shrinking away from your full, authentic expression of yourself?
What dreams have you kept small?
What ideas have you buried?
What parts of yourself have you hidden away from the world?

When have you wanted to speak about something yet chosen to stay quiet?

What if, just as an experiment, you tried a different way?

What if you started speaking your truth—kindly, unapologetically, and without timidly holding back?
What if you let yourself be fully seen, even if it felt uncomfortable?
What if you trusted that those whom are in alignment with you on an authentic level, the ones who truly get you, would remain? 

To me, there is profound freedom on the other side of self-censorship.There is joy in living as your unfiltered self. There is power in no longer asking permission to be exactly who you are. And there is deep fulfillment in being real and open and honest and fierce and truthful with others in a way that, again, is kind, yet tactful.

So, here is my invitation to you today...

Start small. Say the thing you would normally hold back. Write the words you might have deleted. Share the thought you’ve been afraid was "too much." Be real and clear and soft and strong and vulnerable.
Because your voice does matter.

Because the world needs more people willing to show up as their true selves.
Because, really, at the end of the day…authentic connection is the balm for the heart and soul. And I can boldly state that I am not the only one who is in need of this salve in these days.

Rise up. Show up. Be yourselves. Use your voice. Share your hearts. Be REAL. Be truthful.
Be authentically YOU. 

 Take good care of yourselves and be kind to each other.
I am always out here if you need any support and/or connection. Reach out anytime! You are not alone.