Are you a part of the positivity bandwagon?
We are what we choose to believe in.
"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're suppose to be, and embracing who we are" - Brene Brown
As of lately, people all over the world are filling your social media and inboxes with so much content on positivity and self-development that at times it can be overwhelming. It seems to be that there are two types of responses to it:
1. This is fucking awesome and I love having the motivation to be the best that I can be or
2. This positive shit is a load of crap and I want it at least an oceans length away from me.
The best thing about these two types of people is that either opinion is absolutely okay! Because what it boils down to is that you have an opinion of what motivates you and what doesn’t! Because in the end, what matters most is that you’re authentic to whatever shit in this world makes your heart sing and that leads you to the type of life that you’re meant to live and want to have!
As for me, I’m a positive junkie, I fill my life with positive everything in my house, on my phone, in my journal, on my social media and with what I wear. For such a long time, I was so focused on having a certain look or maintaining some lifestyle that doesn’t fully align with all of my values. I was not being true to who I am. Then after four years of working abroad and living in conditions where I was alone most of the time and in countries where I was considered the minority, I was finally able to do some deep digging and figure out what the problem was.
All this time, I was trying to fit some stereo-type, like hippie, beach girl, business woman, party girl, Mother Theresa, or Beyoncé wannabe etc. but none of them truly fulfilled my soul and it simply just did not fit! I had put so much pressure on myself to be this one thing and the consequence was that I was not being AUTHENTIC to all of the wonderful parts that makes me who I am.
Coming back to the United States, I decided to make a shift in my life that focused on being authentic to who I am by bringing things into my life that create happiness. For me that means accepting the fact that being authentically me involves drastically different activities, hobbies, values and outfits.
It means one weekend I’m backpacking and the next I’m wine tasting in Napa.
I’m road tripping across the United States trying all the deliciously greasy food of the Mid West and then ending the trip with a colorful vegan salad.
It means Friday nights out Salsa dancing until two am, and then Saturday nights staying in working on my children’s book.
It means waking up to do my yoga practice at 5:30 a.m., and other days sleeping in because I was out late making great memories with my best friends.
Some days I wear a long flowy beach dress, and other days it’s a tight deep cut body suit that hugs my curves in all the right places.
All while surrounding myself by positive mantras and motivational magic!
Now for you, it could be very different. It can align with one particular lifestyle or it can be a variety of things. You can hate on the wave of positivity that’s flowing around everywhere, or you can soak it up like a fluffy piece of French toast with maple syrup. Whatever you decide, just make sure that it is authentically you.
When you start to figure out what makes you shine, keep pushing towards that direction, and you’ll see how things will start to work out for you. Surround yourself by whatever motivates you and gives you the courage to not give up. Find a tribe that encourages you, follow your role model on Instagram, listen to podcasts of people who are doing what you want to do, make a dream board, journal, set daily reminders, whatever it takes. And most importantly, just promise yourself that every morning when you wake up you commit yourself to being authentic and surrounding yourself with what brings you happiness.
