This past weekend, I spent a few days at River Mountain with the incredible Hike and Heal community. There is so much I want to share with you but if I could think of my top takeaway it would be: Always show up as your true self.
Backstory: I used to be whatever anyone else said I was and wanted me to be. I was a master people-pleaser and good at changing myself (looks, tone, storyline) to fit in every room. As you can imagine life was hella exhausting, and I spent the entire pandemic working to unlearn this.
At the Hike and Heal retreat, I can say I was completely myself and it felt great. It was a refreshing reminder that you don't have to live multiple lives just to fit in. Being you is enough.
Sure, it may be easier to show up as your true self at a retreat where everyone has a common interest - but what about at work, school, or home? Raise your hand if you hold back your corny jokes in the office or stress over putting on makeup for a date even though you don't wear it any other time.
If you're ready to listen to and trust yourself more, here are three reminders to help you show up as yourself every day:
- Do what feels natural to YOU, not what you think will feel good to others.
- Show people who you are without reservation.
- Ask yourself if you are operating from a place of integrity and go from there.
When it comes to being ourselves, we all have a lot of unlearning to do. This week, let's practice showing up as our full selves in at least one scenario where we usually don't - corny jokes and all. It's truly the best way we can show up in this world.
