
What is ‘REAL’ anyway?
We can all spot things that are ‘fake’, can’t we?
That ‘Gucci’ handbag with the label that’s glued on wonky.
Those ‘bargain’ perfumes you can buy from market stalls that just smell nasty.
The politician’s smile that doesn’t make it to his eyes.
We have an internal radar for what’s fake and what’s real when it comes to things outside of ourselves.
But what about internally?
Many introverts I’ve spoken to say they “want to be their real self.”
That really resonates with me. It’s what held me back for so many years, and I’ve now begun to peel back the layers and open up more.
Can you imagine what benefit there might be for you to be more of your ‘real self’?
I’ve been on a long internal journey, and for me, being ‘real’ can mean being ok with finding certain things hard, and not trying to pretend that I enjoy something (just because ‘everyone else’ does).
It’s enabled me to be kinder to myself, and given me permission to be more open and vulnerable.
Even just writing publicly ‘from the heart’ would have been impossible for me a few years ago. It would have felt too dangerous and exposed.
But as I peel back the layers and ‘expose’ myself to others, I realise that we’re all the same underneath.
Everyone gets scared sometimes.
We all have things we find hard.
We all long for love and acceptance, and to know that we’re not alone.
We are all naked underneath our clothes.
That knowledge makes me a feel a little braver, and to risk being seen for who I really am. And THAT allows me to step up and follow my calling, knowing that I’m being true to myself and fulfilling my potential.
How do you know when you’re NOT being real?
But wait, there’s more!