It's All You: Staying True to Yourself

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Did you wake up any one of these mornings and think, “Wow, it’s March already?” I find it’s just around this time when the high of “New Year, New Everything” has fully died down and the direction you may have been heading in starts to trail off a little. In light of that, what I want to talk to you about is something that reaches a little deeper, that’s at the core of it all: staying true to yourself.

This is no how-to guide. In fact, this topic is one of the many things that you can’t really write a manual for, not really even guidelines. But if I may, I would like to share with you my views and insights, and you may do with them what you will (because it’s all you, baby).

Get lost. Staying true to yourself means finding yourself first. I know, I know: that’s a huge undertaking, but—the comforting thing is that you, your being, your self, it’s there with you, and it’s not going anywhere. Sometimes you have to throw yourself out there, though, and get a little bit lost to get a little sense.

Take a step back. By that I mean sometimes I need to time out for a moment and really truly ask myself, Is this what I want? Does this represent me? And then I will picture myself in that situation, and ask, Do I like what I see? There are times, even, when I have to ask myself these kinds of questions repeatedly, because the more you have to say it to yourself, the more concise you will be able to make it, and the more you will realize what the reality of the situation actually is.

Gut feeling. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. There’s a reason our bodies react to situations with varying feelings and these aren’t restricted to bodily functions; these are the feelings that connect to our being. Sometimes I find that this leads to impulse decisions, but your gut reaction is an impulse. Even more, it’s a reflex. These speak huge volumes.

Lastly, don’t be afraid. One of the best things I’ve found to nurture myself is to literally not care what anyone else thinks. And it really is simple, even if it may not sound like it. Whatever anyone says, do the same and go, “Whatever.” Brush it off, roll it off, however you do it, just remember: you’re you, they’re them; they are not you, you are you. You take care of yourself. Be honest with yourself, be kind to yourself. Everything else will follow.

I guarantee you you’ll go through changes. This does not mean you’re not staying true to yourself: it’s natural to evolve. As long as you feel right, whatever you feel comfortable with—that’s you.