Reflecting on the recent spring break, I envisioned peaceful days filled with connection and cherished moments while spending time with the kids at home. However, reality had a different plan in store.
My plans for a peaceful outing became chaotic during a recent visit to the garden store. Despite my intentions to pick some plants, my kids had other ideas. As they fought over who would get to ride the scooter, they accidentally knocked over a display, causing a commotion. My anger surfaced, and I was visibly upset. I struggled to manage their excitement and maintain a sense of calm. My hopes for a serene outing quickly evaporated.
After the chaos of the garden center trip and a few other heated moments while balancing work and kids, I realized I had fallen back into a pattern of trying to control everything. This experience was a powerful reminder of the transformative power of self-awareness and the need to let go of control.
I realized resetting and starting over as many times as necessary is perfectly okay. This self-awareness is not only critical but also empowering. It's a tool we can all use on our journey of personal growth, allowing us to make conscious decisions and embrace the unknown.
Transitioning from the demands of work to home's needs can be daunting. Often, we find ourselves rushing through our evenings, seeking solace in mindless distractions or indulging in unhealthy habits to cope with the stress of the day. Connecting with ourselves becomes even more challenging after a long and exhausting day. It's easy to feel overwhelmed with kids. Over time, I have discovered a deeper understanding of myself in those moments of exhaustion and frustration.
Embracing uncertainty and authenticity has been a game-changer in my journey. It's not just about rediscovering my voice, passion, and purpose but also about unlocking new doors to opportunities, connections, and levels of fulfillment. Yes, the journey has been challenging, but the rewards have been more than worth it. However, I've also learned that slipping back into old habits can be tempting, as they offer a sense of certainty and comfort. I'm committed to pushing myself to step outside my comfort zone because that's where the real growth happens.
In the latter half of the break, I took time for myself. I immersed myself in a much-needed transformative four-day Tony Robbins course, aiming to unlock new levels of growth and potential within myself. The course was a deep dive into self-awareness, authenticity, and embracing uncertainty. It challenged me to confront my fears and limiting beliefs and step out of my comfort zone into the unknown realm. I realized fear was holding me back in so many ways—the fear of not being enough, of letting others down, of failure.
The fear of uncertainty is deeply ingrained in our cultural conditioning. It often urges us to pursue perfection and certainty, but what if we embrace uncertainty fully instead? What if we leaned into the unknown, seeing it as an opportunity for growth, connection, and fulfillment? Our resistance to uncertainty is not a sign of halting but rather a prompt to exercise faith and trust. It's a yearning to steadily progress and expand the capacity of our human form to encompass the frequency of our soul form.
What did that mean for me? I stopped to think about my next choice, trusting that I would make the right choice and loving myself enough to make the more challenging choice. On a larger perspective, I delved into my need to belong.
In addition to certainty, community was another area I craved to belong to. Throughout my journey, I've sought connection and camaraderie, hoping to find a place to be myself authentically. However, I soon realized that many of the communities I encountered came with their own set of constraints and expectations. Belonging, as I understand it, is not just about fitting in or conforming to societal norms. It's about finding a place where we can be our true selves, celebrate our authenticity, and embrace our vulnerability. Unfortunately, many communities often come at a cost, with hierarchy, power dynamics, and politics overshadowing the values of authenticity and genuine connection.
Brené Brown defines belonging as the innate human desire to be part of something larger than ourselves. It's about experiencing connection and acceptance within a community or group where we feel valued and understood for who we are. Brown emphasizes that true belonging doesn't require us to change who we are to fit in or conform to societal norms; instead, it involves embracing our authenticity and vulnerability and finding acceptance within our skin. Belonging is about cultivating meaningful connections where we can show up as our genuine selves and feel a sense of connection, support, and belonging without fear of judgment or rejection. This underscores the importance of authenticity in fostering meaningful connections, which are not just important but essential pillars of our personal growth and fulfillment.
Over the last 20 years, I have had the opportunity to belong to communities, but they haven't allowed me to keep my authenticity, freedom, and vulnerability. Belonging to a community has always come at a cost; hierarchy, power, and politics have reigned supreme, often overshadowing the values of authenticity and genuine connection. I want to create a space where women can feel safe but not at the cost of their freedom of self—elevating humanity, infusing our daily experiences with profound significance, and laying the foundation for future generations to thrive while fostering a sense of playfulness in our everyday lives. Why is authenticity so important to me? Being congruent in your thoughts, deeds, and words is powerful, leading to massive growth.
Authenticity is the most crucial factor in achieving what you want in life. Despite this, various layers of social conditioning discourage us from being vulnerable and encourage us to hide our true selves to avoid being judged. This was a necessary survival tactic in the past, especially in multigenerational communities. However, things are changing, and we now face new threats such as deep fakes and artificial intelligence. In the future, authenticity will likely be the most valuable skill. Authenticity can only be expressed in safe spaces, so I created the NPFD community. This community aims to encourage people to speak their truth, live authentically, and create magic.
You may wonder why I share all this. These past two years in business have made me grow in ways my 9-5 didn't. It gives me a sense of fulfillment and purpose—sharing this experience makes it 10x better. If I'm not operating from a place of authentic authority, this will show as imposter syndrome and failure to reach the audience I so desperately want to help and add value to—unfortunately, I've seen this happen before.
As we navigate the joys and challenges of spring, I invite you to embrace uncertainty. Lean into the unknown, trusting the path will reveal itself in time. Above all, remember to savour the simple moments, express love and gratitude, and embrace the journey, wherever it may lead. I've merely scratched the surface of this profound topic and am eager to delve deeper into the future. Stay tuned for more insights and reflections on belonging in upcoming discussions. I encourage you to reflect on your journey and consider how to embrace uncertainty and authenticity in your life.
To foster authenticity, consider:
- Embracing our genuine feelings, even when they're tough, as they're integral to our growth.
- Sharing our true selves openly, without fearing judgment, fosters genuine connections.
- Establishing boundaries aligned with our values, ensuring our interactions reflect our priorities.
- Celebrating our individuality, including our strengths and quirks, as they shape our unique identity.
- Nurturing self-awareness through reflection and mindfulness, aiding in personal development.
- Surrounding ourselves with supportive individuals who appreciate us for who we are, while respectfully stepping away from relationships that hinder our authenticity.
- Remaining open to new experiences and perspectives, enriching our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
May your spring season be abundant with growth, deep connections, boundless opportunities, and the discipline, patience and faith to navigate uncertainty gracefully.