If there’s one thing we’ve all heard plenty about this year, it’s masks!
It’s been a while since any of us have gone anywhere without one! And with Halloween coming up there are different masks appearing on store shelves, allowing us to disguise ourselves as someone (or something) that we are not, in the spirit of fun.
But what about the hypothetical mask you’re wearing each day – the one keeping your true self under wraps? THAT is the one that isn’t necessary or fun. It’s not keeping you safe and healthy. It’s keeping you hidden!
In fact, it’s holding you back from seeing real change in your life and living authentically. This is a mask I want to help you get rid of once and for all.
From even our earliest years, we learn how to fit in. We are told to quiet down, pursue “x” career, smile more…and a thousand other tiny directives that, when put together, keep our true selves from breaking through! Your wounded inner child – the one who took all of these things to heart when she was too young to speak up – still lives inside of you. One major step towards living a more authentic life is to pay attention to her.
Love her up and remind her that it’s not her fault and that it isn’t too late to change. When you close your eyes and see your younger self, think of something that truly made her happy. Was it ice cream? A special pet? Spending the day getting lost in a book? A hobby or collection that maybe nobody else “got?” Whatever it was, indulge that feeling again without telling yourself that it’s silly or that you shouldn’t. Treat yourself and don’t apologize about it! Hiding the things that make you happy…makes you UNHAPPY and restless!
Another key to removing the mask of inauthenticity is to really examine your triggers. Often, these triggers hold the answers that you seek about why you’re not being true to yourself. A common one for many women is being told to “calm down” when we are upset! If this is true for you, ask yourself why. Does it make you feel ashamed and unheard? Perhaps this was something an (often well-meaning but misguided!) adult figure in your life would say to you when you were upset? Remember, you’re now a self-sufficient, successful adult, and you’re allowed to feel your emotions honestly as they come. In fact, I feel this is vital to long-term happiness.
And it’s when you’re happy, living a life where you don’t feel the need to hide behind a facade of fake feelings and fake interests – where you’re confidently, authentically YOU, that you’ll be open enough to find the kind of partner you want (and deserve!).
A diluted version of you is one mask you DON’T need in your life!
So here’s what to do-
Make it a habit of checking in with your feelings a few times a day.
Are you tired? Stressed? Happy? Worried?
Give yourself a minute to process and define the feeling.
Look for the root of it.
ALLOW IT to come through.
Take a deep breath and appreciate it. Yes, even the negative ones. EVERY emotion is giving you vital information about yourself and what you desire.
You are a woman. Complex and beautiful, light and dark. And that’s HOT!
Be it ALL and you’ll quickly find out which men belong in your life and which ones aren’t ready for a real woman at all!
Take the CommittmentQuiz.com and discover what is keeping you from a committed relationship.
I thoroughly enjoyed your article on masks. Unfortunately, I have many masks and many triggers. Now I need to learn about triggers and understand what I can do to fix me.
All your information just makes sense and you make it easy to understand but more importantly you give easy and common sense solutions. Thank you for being you.
So glad you found this helpful! xo Jaki
Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMpwN384mg8&t=74s