How often would you say you are true to yourself? Do you allow your own convictions, beliefs, creative ideas, and rhythms to lead you? Does your voice get heard or do you tend to silence it or chose to value someone else’s voice instead?

How often do you tell yourself that a different version of yourself is somehow better, more presentable, more likable, more acceptable or more lovable?

I would challenge you to look at how you show up at home and at work. Ask yourself, ‘Am I bringing my true self to this or am I pretending to be someone else?’ Does it feel like you are playing a role or character (e.g. - the good wife, the diligent worker, superman/superwoman)?

It may even seem, if you have been in that role for a number of years, that you no longer have a choice in the matter. You must continue to do what is expected of you. Yet, deep inside you feel conflicted, like you are betraying who you really are. You wish you could ‘be’ more yourself, but it feels so risky. What if those who matter to you don’t like the ‘real’ you?

It takes a lot of energy pretending to be someone other than you you really are. Yet, fear is often the strong force that keeps us pretending. You might think it keeps you safe, but it actually keeps true happiness at arms length away.

What is to gain if you take this huge risk of letting go of facades? You open yourself up to: more creativity, more inner peace/calm, a feeling of wholeness, less angst and inner turmoil, and an increased sense of well-being.

ONE KEY TO BEING TRULY HAPPY IS BEING TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE!

Levya is a Certified Integrative Life Coach who studied under well-known author and speaker Debbie Ford. Levya has taught and coached on a variety of personal growth and development topics. She enjoys helping others: get in touch with who they are, move through their fears, and start living the life they’ve longed for.