I think one of the best gifts you can give yourself is permission to be your authentic self, 
which isn’t always easy. Even before we’re born, well-meaning parents place expectations upon us, speculating about every aspect of our lives, not the least of which being who we’ll be, what we’ll do, and the life we’ll live.
Growing up, we learn from family, teachers, peers, and mentors the rules of society, what is considered acceptable and what is expected of us in our roles as daughter, son, sibling, student, friend, etc. Perhaps more significantly, we learn the repercussions of failing to meet those expectations.
Once we enter adulthood, expectations of who we should be become weightier as the added responsibilities of marriage, career, and parenthood enter the picture. If you’re anything like me, going after a dream always took a backseat to the practicality of daily living. I thought having a dream was nice but being able to pay the bills was nicer. I had a good salary, great benefits, and a stable, if not fulfilling job. There was only one thing I hadn’t considered. My authentic self.
While my practical self was content, my authentic self was clawing to escape. She knew I wasn’t where I needed to be, even if my practical self wouldn’t admit it. My job had felt like a four-inch pump, two sizes too small. I was bored and miserable trying to fit into a space I didn’t belong.
After three years of agonizing over whether I should leave, the universe forced me to decide. The promotion I had been working so hard to get suddenly dropped into my lap. Funny thing was, I didn’t give a damn. The promotion I wanted so badly, the promotion I jumped through hoops to get, no longer held any value for me.
My practical self argued, “This is what’s expected of you, work hard, move up, make more money. Work harder, move higher, make even more money.”
My authentic self asked, “Is this who you are and where you want to be? Are you happy?”
The answer was, “No”.
So, I took a scary leap of faith, cast aside expectations of who I should be and what I should do, and for the first time listened to my authentic self — the self who wanted to write. Though rejecting a traditional career path has had its challenges, I’ve found far more fulfillment and sense of belonging working in creative spaces where I can be my authentic self.
Have you consulted your authentic self lately? Is it trying to tell you something? Take a moment to listen. The conversation may be difficult, but I promise you won’t regret it.
Wishing you happily ever after.
Lynn
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