Unmasking Your Authentic Self - A Journey To Freedom

I think there's something about milestone birthdays that shines a spotlight on aspects of our lives that are ready for transformation. It doesn't just have to be a big birthday that does it, it can also come from suffering a loss or a major life change. One of the things I have noticed since going through the trauma of the last couple of years and celebrating this huge milestone birthday, is that I just don't have the capacity to entertain inauthenticity anymore - not in the people I choose to surround myself with - but most certainly in myself.

When we're younger, I think we wear different masks in various situations...We wear a "cool and confident" mask in social settings, the "professional" mask at work or school, and the "perfect" mask when we meet a new potential love relationship. These masks are usually worn to hide our insecurity and vulnerabilities...if people see us as we really are - they may not like us.

But the longer we wear these masks, we find ourselves feeling disconnected from our own genuine emotions and desires. The weight of it - it's like carrying a backpack full of stones. With each mask we put on, the burden is heavier and heavier. This weight of inauthenticity can lead to stress and anxiety, and most probably a sense of inner emptiness.

When we get older, or go through a rough life experience...a job loss, a break-up, the death of a loved one, something in us changes. We begin to question these masks that we've been wearing all this time. Who are we really? What do we want? Why are we pretending to be something we're not? We start to drop our masks.

It's so liberating to drop that mask...like taking off your bra or tie (for the men!) at the end of the day. Letting people see who you are flaws and all. Don't get me wrong, this takes courage. You have to confront those fears and insecurities head on. You have to peel all of those layers you've been piling on over the years to reveal the perfectly imperfect person you are....the REAL you.

Then is when you receive the gift...you experience a sense of freedom like you've never felt before. You no longer feel the need to conform to other's expectations or pretend to be something you're not. You don't have to pretend to love golf, just because your new beau belongs to the local country club. You don't have to pretend to be Julia Child, when you can't master making toast.

Authenticity then becomes your guiding light. It leads you to be the person you want to be - the person you truly are, with a deeper sense of purpose. It also leads you towards more meaningful connections, because when you are living a truly authentic life, it becomes very easy to spot someone who isn't.

This is when you give the gift...being authentic is not just a gift you receive, it's a gift to those around you. When you are genuine, you inspire others to do the same. You create an environment where being real is celebrated - not hidden.

Becoming your authentic self is a beautiful and transformative journey. It's about discovering the person you were meant to be, free from the masks of societal pressure. It's NEVER too late to start on this journey. With every mask you shed, you get closer to the joy of being...you...you truly beautiful you.

I could talk about this for days, and I would love to hear your thoughts on this...

#EmbraceAuthenticity #SelfDiscovery #Liberation #PersonalGrowth #GoHappyYourself