I am a fraud. Before you come at me, hear me out. I started this blog as a way to connect with others as a way to spread positivity and encouragement as we navigate through these changes in our life. Here’s the reality. Life has ups and downs. Good and bad and as hard as I try, I cannot always live that positive, perfect life. Like so many others, I struggle with autoimmune disorders, chronic lyme and CIRS that is caused from mold illness. Every day is a challenge. Some days are just hard, and all the positive quotes and songs cannot change that. Imposter syndrome is real. You doubt your abilities or skills and feel like a fraud despite the evidence. When I put myself out there as a happy go lucky person, it makes me feel like a fraud because deep down I know the truth. I try to live my most authentic life but inside there is a fear that whispers you don’t have a clue or you’re a fake. My goal is not to be fake or lead people to believe life is perfect, because it’s not. The world right now is unrecognizable compared to the world we grew up in. It has the ability to turn even the most positive person into a “negative nelly.”

So how do we move forward from the expectation of perfection to a genuine life? I believe we first have to accept the fact that life is not perfect. We get sick, things go wrong and the sadness in this world is hard to ignore. There are some ways to learn to live authentically but first we need to shut off social media and the news because it presents a false sense of worth leading us to believe we aren’t worthy or good enough. Next, we need to spend quality time with ourselves. Go for a hike in nature, read a book, do what makes you happy. Everything else will still be there in the shadows but eventually you will learn to not listen to it.

Living authentically isn’t about being yourself. It’s about knowing who you truly are. Your beliefs, your needs and desires and having the courage to act in alignment with them even when it feels uncomfortable. You have to push back all the layers that have been shaped by outside influences, parents, peers and social media. The time is now to rediscover who you are and ask yourself what excites you. What values do I hold regardless of the circumstances? What things and relationships drain me instead of fulfilling me?

Embracing our imperfections. Authenticity doesn’t mean perfection, it means wholeness. When you drop the mask of imperfection, it allows others to do the same. We need to practice compassion for ourselves. Be more in tune with yourself and when you are judging yourself, show compassion. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to judgement. Show yourself the same compassion you would to someone else.

Align your actions with truth. Knowing your values is one thing, living them is quite another. What does this look like for you? Saying no to things that don’t align with your values or goals. Speaking up when something matters. Surround yourself with people who value you as you are and not what they believe you should be.

All these little changes can lead us to live a more authentic life full of joy and peace. Authenticity may feel uncomfortable at first but over time it will become freeing. Every choice you make that honors your true self is a quiet revolution, reshaping your life into something only you could live. Your life blooms the moment you stop hiding the roots. This is your moment to bloom, so bloom bright and beautiful!

Leave a comment below and tell me about a change you could make to live more authentic.