Unmasking Yourself: The Liberating Journey of Authentic Self-Expression
Being unapologetically you means becoming conscious of the pursuit of yourself, stripping back all the layers of who society taught you to be, and truly opening up to your true self.
In the journey of becoming unapologetic it’s not like you’re becoming someone different, it’s about you no longer feeling the need to hide or be who you think other people want you to be, and it’s about you no longer holding yourself back from fully expressing yourself due to the fear of being judged.
Being unapologetic is about validating yourself and being so accepting of yourself that you no longer need to seek any outside validation or approval in order to feel good enough or worthy.
It’s our innate human desire to want to be accepted, understood, seen, heard and to feel like we belong. In the early days it was vital to our survival to belong and be a part of the tribe. If you were left outside of your tribe you were vulnerable to many external threats and you faced the risk of starving to death from the lack of food, freezing to death due to lack of shelter, or being eaten up by a predator. This is why still today we feel like we will die if we don’t get accepted by other people. We are so caught up in being the version of ourselves who we think we should be according to everyone else, constantly trying to fit it and seek outside validation and acceptance, so much so that we oftentimes can get lost.
Becoming unapologetically you is an incredible worthwhile journey that allows you to live more freely and fully. When you release the weight of people and their opinions off your shoulders, you begin to live your life differently and it feels liberating. Being unapologetically yourself is the short cut to more happiness, peace and fulfillment in life.
How to be unapologetically you…
The first step to becoming unapologetically you is to become conscious of all your conditioning. You need to start stripping back the layers of your past conditioning and address your trauma, old wounds, fears, and worries – because all of these hold you back from expressing your true authentic self.
The second step to becoming unapologetically you is to get to know yourself at a core level. Who are you truly, behind the mask that you’re wearing?
The third step is to take off your mask and to fully embrace who you are and to embrace your imperfections and perceived flaws – because these are what make you unique. Rather than trying to please other people and trying to fit in, it’s time to give yourself permission to show all of you. It’s time to shine your light.
So, Are You Ready To Take Off Your Mask?
Taking off the mask is about being real and vulnerable, and it’s about you being willing to lose some people in return for your freedom and full expression of self. Because the truth is, when you give yourself permission to shine your light people that have unhealed and unresolved trauma themselves are not going to like it because it triggers a part in them.
They might even try to dim your light, and eventually they will disappear from your life. Whose love would you lose if you were unapologetically yourself? Trust me, you’ll soon gain new, even more fulfilling relationships.
5 WAYS TO BECOME UNAPOLOGETIC
- Stop apologizing for who you are and instead own it
Stop saying I’m sorry for talking too much, being too loud, being sensitive, having boundaries, saying no to something, for wanting more in life, and for showing your feelings. Every time you apologize for who you are, you are in essence implying that there is something wrong with who you are.
Apologizing keeps you small and, oftentimes, apologizing for being who you are is an action driven by fear. The reason you’re really apologizing for what you just did, said, or thought is because you’re afraid it might result in your being rejected, left out or criticized.
Those who care about you and love you will want to know your true authentic self and they will stand by your side, no matter what. By you being unapologetic you allow others to do the same.
Apologizing for who you are is also tied to self-worth and not feeling good enough, which also stems from a wound.
Apologies should be reserved for the moments when you hurt someone or do something you didn’t mean to, not for the moments when you’re simply being yourself. Own the shit out of who you are! Own your feelings, thoughts and actions.
2. Choose You
Put yourself first, always. Make your daily decisions for yourself, not to meet anyone else’s needs or wants.
It’s so easy to get caught up with the demands of other people and at the same time lose yourself. Stop pleasing anyone else but yourself. This one is really difficult for many people, as it’s so deeply ingrained in us to be liked and accepted by people.
- Set healthy and firm boundaries
An important part of being your unapologetic self is setting boundaries and clear expectations. It means you refuse to shape-shift and compromise who you are to conform.
Protect your time and energy, because they are your most valuable assets. You need to fill your own cup first.
Honor yourself so much so that you say no more often to things that don’t light you up. Saying yes when you really want to say no is being dishonest and it sets you up for failure because you’ll end up living a life of not being seen and known for who you truly are. We want to go above and beyond for the people we care about – but then we become frustrated and resentful.
- Get to know yourself on a deeper level
The trick to showing up unapologetically is to know who you are inside and out. Take the time to fully get to know yourself and what really matters to you. No one else but you can find out your values, goals, what you need, want, and what makes you tick.
If you don’t already have a self-care practice, start one in a way that suits you. Breath work can help with this.
5. Work on the fear of being seen, being rejected, and being judged.
Because oftentimes these are what make us hide in the shadows or dim our lights. These fears are keeping us stuck and they are keeping us from showing up as our true authentic selves. These fears oftentimes stem from childhood experiences and societal conditioning. Ask yourself: what are you afraid of by running away from who you are?