It’s not always easy to open up. To be raw. To be vulnerable. To let others see the real you – to let yourself see the real you. To tell it like it truly is. To let go of any pretenses. To step out without a mask. To show your soul.
And yet – what is the alternative? Living a life that isn’t truly yours. Going about your day in fear. Constantly worrying what others will say. Wondering if they will approve of you. If you will approve of you. Wondering if what you said was right or appropriate. Worrying that your words may be taken in a way that they weren’t intended. Fearful of criticism. Afraid of backlash. Anticipating the worst.
When we don’t allow our true selves to open up – we shrink inside. When we live our lives in fear of what others will think or worry that everyone won’t like us or fearful that we will be seen as different or weird or too “out there,” we die a little inside.
Dan calls these, “little grey deaths.” And I know that we have all experienced these throughout our lives.
I made the decision a year ago that I was no longer going to live in fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of success. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of anything. I was tired of allowing my fear to control my soul – the part of me that wanted to break through and share and inspire and be free! The part of me that so desperately wanted to feel alive again.
So here I am. For the last seven months, I have shared my truest self with you (and with me). I have given you my truth. And it has been scary and enlightening at the same time. I have felt queasy after hitting “publish” on some posts. I have worried that it might be too much – too often – or too deep. When these worries pop up, I remember why I am writing this blog. We are each on a journey of self discovery. And I believe that going within and getting in touch with our higher self is essential along this path. I write with the hopes to inspire others to do the same. I write from my soul because I can’t imagine writing from anywhere else. This is me. And I know that the more “me” we all are, the more the universe lines up and life falls into place.
Let’s all agree to no longer hide from our truest selves. Let’s all agree to step into our power – to share our higher selves – our innate wisdom with the world. Let’s all agree to push past our fears and allow ourselves to be completely vulnerable. Let’s all agree to embrace each other’s rawness with love and empathy – knowing that we are all in this together. Knowing that it truly takes a brave soul to share this deeply.
I am so grateful to be able to share with you each day. And I am even more grateful when I hear that you are sharing yourselves with the world as well.
Let’s keep at it!
–> “I have felt queasy after hitting “publish” on some posts. I have worried that it might be too much – too often – or too deep.” <–
I feel the same way so often with my blog posts. Keep doing what you're doing. Your blog is amazing.
You, too, Brandy! I’m so glad we’re cheering each other on and being each other’s self-care check-in partner! 🙂
I love this post, this has been my journey for the last few years.. being honest and true to and for myself. I have learned so much about me and about people and my life has changed for the better in so many ways. Deciding I was important and deserved the truth was a huge step and so well worth it. I look forward to going back and reading some of your posts and getting to know you 🙂
Hi Michelle. I’m so glad you stopped by, and I look forward to getting to know you, too! 🙂 That’s wonderful that you have been honest with yourself and practiced self care over the last few years. I’m learning each day just how essential doing this is.
This is an amazing post Jodi. It takes a brave person to step out from behind the curtain and say, “Here I am.” But, you have consistently done this and because you are willing to do it, others in turn will be inspired to embrace themselves and do it too. Thank you for being you. It is quite a gift.
Thank you so much, Leah! I love that we are each putting our true selves out into the world – and supporting each other through the process. Big hug!
Thank you for this post, Jodi. I’m so surprised to find that others get “queasy” as they hit that post button…I had that after every single post from April ’til a few weeks ago….and then worried that I also might have revealed too much, too personal, fearful of criticism…it’s such a relief to hear I’m not the only one who has felt that way. I just kept going back to my intention, every single day… to share the “pages” I’ve created in case any of them might help someone else…So, thank you so much for writing about that…
It is comforting to know that we aren’t alone, isn’t it, Kathy? I’m so glad that even through your queasiness you have stuck with writing and posting. And I know you are helping others with your blog – you are putting such positivity into the world. Let’s both make sure we keep at it. 🙂
Thank you for sharing so freely from your heart every day, Jodi. I relate so deeply to this post. xo
Thank YOU for sharing such heartfelt words, too, Alia. You inspire me so much. Much love and hugs to you!
Jodi ~ all I can say is I love the way you live, write, share, give permission to and DO life! Your words are refreshment and inspiration to me and I am sure to many others!
Keep on writing, don’t stop writing!
Hugs, Sheri
Thank you so much, Sheri – that means so much! Your words are such an inspiration to me, and I love that you share so much of yourself as well. Big hug to you!