I finally sat down yesterday to make my 2026 vision board – yes, I know it’s mid February… but better late than never, right?
As I scrolled through Pinterest, hand selecting the visuals that I plan to make a reality in the next 317 days of 2026, I stumbled across a thought that stated the following – “I am a writer. Of course I get ideas from a random sentence.”
At the time, I couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, as that statement holds quite a lot of truth… If I were to think about the majority of the posts published here, most stem from a sentence or question I either overheard or read somewhere at a certain point in time.
I mean, heck, if you were to go back and read the last two moments we shared together here, I’m pretty sure both start with something along the lines of – “this past weekend, someone asked me” and “the person then said…”.
And so now, shamelessly, here we are again, because I do find my inspiration in others’ thoughts and actions. It’s what makes me feel connected to this world we all share.
So, what did I read today…?
“Please don’t ever trade your authenticity for approval. Let people dislike you.”
Gosh, after reading that I felt my breathing halt for a moment – experiencing a little punch to the gut if you will.
What a brave action that is – having the courage to be disliked.
Authenticity is and has been one of my biggest drivers. In fact, I was just sitting at my desk this morning discussing this topic with one of my coworkers. As we had an open discussion about what it means to disagree on things, I shared that there’s nothing that I admire more than someone who can confidently and respectfully hold an opposing or contradicting view to a perspective or belief I might have, and then share it.
I don’t think we as a society give ourselves the gift of meeting our truest selves. We are so influenced by the world around us, which of course, is a given. I definitely would not be who I am if I didn’t discover certain inspirations along the way; however, there is a difference between finding these little glimmers of life that speak to us so deeply and then compiling them to formulate a whole individual and unique human being – and then differently, being influenced so heavily by someone or something that we don’t allow ourselves to individually think.
About a year ago, I went to a bar with some friends and one of them was wearing a fabulous fur jacket. She looked incredible. Upon walking into the bar, she immediately started panicking – “I knew I should’ve left this in the car”, “I shouldn’t have worn this.”, etc..
Alarmed by this quick shift of energy, I asked her why, because just 5 minutes ago she so confidently was strutting down the street.
“Because nobody else in here is wearing one.”
I told her that’s exactly why she should be wearing it! That it was what made her unique.
She shook her head and told me she just wanted to be like everyone else.
Parts of this interaction made me sad, because I could see her most authentic self wanting to shine through, but in a moment, worry had overpowered and dimmed part of her light.
Now listen, I to this day, fall victim to this mentality, so me sharing this story, by no means, is me saying that adapting this mindset, and finding/being our most authentic selves is an easy feat.
I actually curated this ramble here today to admit that lately, I’ve been feeling a little like she did in that bar last year.
I find so much joy in creating in so many different capacities – writing, painting, photography/videography, you name it.
But lately, I’ve been feeling – loud. Like I talk too much and just simply need to, well… not.
I can’t tell you how many times in the last week or two I have created a video or shared a thought, simply just because I wanted to – because creating made me happy– and then had small bursts of anxiety the minute I shared it with the world.
What if people don’t like it? What if they think it’s weird? Am I smiling too much in that photo? People probably think I’m annoying. I’ve been posting too much. Is the post I just created meaningful, or was it only half of as good as it could’ve been?
If you ever were wondering what goes on in my mind sometimes… there’s a little glimpse. I also know I’m not alone in this. It’s very probable that you just read that jumble of self doubt and negativity, and related.
And then I read that quote this afternoon, about trading our most authentic selves for approval…
My next breath was a little lighter. I felt like a little light bulb had been clicked back on after burning out and going dark there for a second.
Personally, when I create something and decide to share it, it’s an expression of me – an extension of who I am.
I’ve been told by quite a few people before that they admire how much my creative work and content authentically represents who I am. To this day, that’s one of the greatest compliments I have ever been given. Authenticity has always been the goal, and documenting my journey to finding it, while also maybe helping you find yours too is why I’m still here, typing away…
What a gift it is, to have things to offer the world – thoughts, skills, questions – that no one else does in the way that you do.
But so many of us are wasting it – all due to the crippling fear of being disliked.
“Be yourself, so the people looking for you can find you.”
Yes, another quote I recently came across, but a fitting one at that.
I fully acknowledge finding who we are and letting fear go are two journeys that require much more time, energy, and effort than it just took you to read all of this. I mean honestly… I’m still over here self conscious about the fact that I think I talk too much or I’m too animated and loud sometimes.
We all – struggle.
But here I am, admitting these things to you. Some of you may be friends, some family, and then a handful of you I maybe haven’t even met quite yet… but I will say it to all of you –
Over the years I have had to work hard at it, but currently I am the most confident and authentic version of myself – but I also have insecurities. As much as I hate to admit it, I have that fear of being disliked. I still question myself often.
But I am me.
This person, here, admitting all of this to you and pouring out my deepest recent inner thoughts, is me.
So now, I will ask you – who are you? If you didn’t care about what people thought about you when you walked into a room, or what they would say if you told them how you really felt? Who would you be, and what would you say?
And then work your hardest to be that – because if there’s one thing I do know… it’s that we need you. The real you.
So as I continue to do my very best to show up as me and to question myself and my art less, can you pretty please promise to do the same?
