Have you ever tried to be someone you're not?
Maybe you've tried to fit in with a certain group of people or pursue a career path that didn't truly align with your passions and values. It's easy to get caught up in societal expectations and forget who we really are.
But the thing is, we all have strengths, weaknesses, and personality quirks that make us who we are. However, all too often we rail against our true nature, leaving us exhausted and unfulfilled.
For years, I tried to force myself to fit into a certain mold, to be the person I thought others wanted me to be.
I became a classroom teacher. I put others' needs before my own. I leaned into being the funny friend instead of the introspective, compassionate friend. But each step of the way it felt like I was attempting to build a seawall in the middle of a hurricane–I made progress, but it never quite added up. Just like the force of the sea, my true nature always kept peeking out asking to be acknowledged.
It wasn't until I started embracing my quirks and imperfections, that I began to feel a sense of peace and contentment. I realized that I didn't have to be perfect or have it all together. I learned that it was okay to be a work in progress. I learned that I don’t have to resign myself to societal expectations. I learned it was okay to take up space.
Working with our true nature doesn't mean giving up or settling for less.
It means embracing every nook and cranny of our hearts, heads, and souls. It means identifying our values and trying on different passions for size. It means giving ourselves permission to reinvent ourselves over and over again.
Just like how we might choose to let some weeds grow in our grass rather than constantly expelling our precious energy trying to eradicate them, we might also consider rebranding our so-called flaws and imperfections as things that make us beautifully unique.
What good is a garden if you don’t ever look up from pulling weeds to enjoy the bounty?
What are some specific societal expectations or molds that you have felt pressured to conform to?
How have these pressures impacted your sense of self and your overall fulfillment in life?
What steps can you take to start embracing your true nature and increasing your fulfillment in life?
Incorporate more mindfulness & fun into your life this month with my journal, Lessons from Nature. It’s filled with 30 items and corresponding prompts to practice intentionally using your sense of sight to explore your world.
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