Be your Authentic Vulnerable Self!
Stop Being someone else
Do people ever tell you to stop being you? Do you have people in your life who tell you how you should walk, talk, look, or act so that you fit in with their vision of who they want you to be?
I often meet people who want to encourage others to look or act a certain way. In my life, I’ve experienced some of this as well. Usually, I get positive feedback for my work, though I think the more public my work gets the more I open myself to unsolicited opinions about who I should be. Every once in a while people pass through my life and decide I need a little “fixing up.” It typically makes me laugh, because I’ve spent so many years trying to figure out who I am and how I want to present myself to the world. These days, when people want me to change so they can be more comfortable around me, it makes me chuckle.
Recently, I’ve received comments and opinions such as, “Slow down, you move too fast. Calm down, you have too much energy. Stop being such a hopeless romantic, don’t you know that only happens in fairy tales? Don’t be so free-spirited, you need to be more planned out.” It’s become a litany of don’ts. Don’t be so passionate, pushy, driven, fun, excited, alive, or colorful. Essentially, they’re telling me to stop being everything that makes me who I am.
I think too many people live their lives trying to please others so they can fit in, calm down, and play quietly. They’re living their lives trying not to make waves so others feel more comfortable around them. I know I can be too much for some people, but I like me. It’s taken many years to learn to be okay being different, being high energy, and being an optimist. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it works for me. I’m not going to apologize for being true to myself or for living each day fully alive and in color. This is who I am; I might not be your cup of tea but I’m happy being me!
Are you living an authentic life? Are you true to yourself ? Do you spend more time trying to fit in than showing the best version of you?
What are people telling you to stop being? What do you want more of and less of in your life?
If you had to use five words to describe yourself what would they be? What five words would others use? Do they match? Are you being the best version of yourself? #BeaPineapple #BetheException #FreeToBeMe
