Let’s Get Real
According to Merriam-Webster, one of the definitions of authentic is: true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character.
I love that! I remember very few times in my life when I thought I needed to act a certain way to fit in with certain people. It always made me uncomfortable to the point that I figured I didn’t need them in my life if it took so much work. I can’t help but just be who I really am. That person is someone who expects and is honest, someone who follows through with her promises, and someone who is as real as it gets.
This is Progress?
Social media came along and showed us that we could doctor our lives to look however we want them to look. I guess that works well until someone actually shows up at your door and realizes things aren’t quite as put together as they seem. And why is the goal to act like we have our crap together in the first place? I’m betting most of us truly don’t.
Filters have allowed people to do the same thing with their photos. I have a couple of friends who wouldn’t dream of taking a selfie without a filter, even though they are beautiful people. What happens when people who have only seen them on social media, come across them in real life and there’s <gasp!> wrinkles and gray hair?
To me, being true to one’s own spirit and personality is fascinating. People don’t have to agree with everything I say or think the way I think for me to enjoy being around them. I think of myself as a lifelong learner so I enjoy soaking up whatever knowledge or opinions people offer to me.
Being “real” seems to be going out of style and that makes me sad. I love that every single person is completely their own natural character and I would encourage everyone to embrace that personality, whatever it is.
Real = Real Honest
Getting real isn’t always pretty. In fact, the more real I get, the more you’re going to hear my own personal struggles. Like the fact that I’m not a morning person and it’s hard for me to roll out when Alexa starts playing music at 6 am. I wrestle with time every single day. I want to work out, actually, I don’t, but I do love the results so I continue trying to fit in some sort of workout daily. But, when time runs short, that’s the first thing that falls to the wayside.
I also take on too much because I like it when people are proud of the work I do. Another issue is that I’m not exactly sure where this blog is headed, but I know my heart and my head continue pushing me to stick with it. Additionally, I need to feel like I’m making a difference in the world.
I should also add that I truly only cook to keep my husband and myself alive. I’m not all that interested in being a great cook because it takes so much time and I tend to clean up as I go - not a great combination if you still need to fit several other things into your day, besides the meal you’re preparing.
That’s me being honest with you. That’s who I am.
One of my favorite things that came from social media, is the before Pinterest pin and the after “Nailed it!” photo where neither of them looks much like the other. It makes me laugh. What could be more honest than comparing something you created to the Pinterest version that was probably professionally built, cooked, or crafted?
Getting real doesn’t have to mean everything is perfect. It’s okay to admit you have problems, but even better if you’re looking for solutions. That’s the best part of social media when we can ask what other people are doing to fix whatever we have going on. We don’t have to live in a fake social media bubble.
Life is short. Be you. Your people are out there waiting to find the real, authentic you. Make it easy for them to find you.