#Self-acceptance and authenticity 💡

[beadculture]

Gotika: Kde temnota nachází krásu

Gotická subkultura není jen estetikou nebo hudebním žánrem. Je to komunita, která nabízí útočiště pro ty, kdo se cítí odlišní, hloubaví nebo fascinovaní temnějšími aspekty života. Pro mnoho lidí představuje gotická komunita bezpečný prostor, kde mohou být sami sebou. Lidé zde mohou zpracovávat své emoce. Spojují se s ostatními na základě sdílené fascinace temnotou. Tato komunita je oslavou…

[robfinancialtip]

📝 In Sabrina's reflection, she digs into her path through an eating problem and mental health difficulties, resulting in a devastating collapse. Despite outward impressions that she required help, Sabrina believed her breakdown to be a vital or an inspirational step towards abandoning her manufactured identity and embracing something new. This breakdown motivated her to begin producing her own screenplays and music, discovering her genuine voice and the power of self-expression. Through this process, each word she penned simultaneously built her up and broke her down, resulting in a change that was first alarming for those around her but eventually powerful. 🌱💪

🎓Sabrina describes a critical time in her college experience when she discovered she didn't care about others' opinions and felt separated from her friends. This lack of regard for others' judgments enabled her the freedom to accept her genuine self, even if it meant being viewed as 'mad' by others. This resistance against conventional norms and expectations helped her to find inspiration and strength in her individualism, building a feeling of resilience and self-assurance in the face of judgment and criticism. 🚀👩‍🎤

💡 Through her self-discovery and artistic expression path, Sabrina underscores the significance of addressing one's insecurities and embracing authenticity. She found consolation and empowerment in embracing her distinctive voice and artistic impulses despite the initial pain and worry it may have caused. This technique allowed her to overcome her challenges and motivated her to gain courage and confidence in her identity and artistic expression. 🎨✨

🌟 Sabrina's experience highlights the transforming power of self-expression and honesty in overcoming personal problems and creating resilience. By breaking down the walls of cultural expectations and accepting her genuine self, Sabrina experienced emancipation and strength, ultimately emerging stronger and more secure in her identity and artistic activities. This tale serves as a testament to the significance of self-discovery and accepting one's uniqueness, especially in adversity. 🌈🌻

[etherealeden]

the spiritual and psychological way of processing negative emotions and regulating your nervous system

explore the other chapters on my blog

🌟Part 2: Why "Acting As If" Isn’t Always Working 🌟

If we consider this spiritual law of the universe from chapter one "what you resist will persist", it makes sense why the “acting as if” approach might not work for everyone. I’m not here to criticize this principle or those who teach it, but I found it to be misleading for me. I used “acting as if” as a way to suppress my emotions, which only intensified them further. 😣 It was Lacy Phillips, a teacher in neural manifestation, who introduced me to the concept of “spiritual bypassing.” The allure of instantly having what you want can be very tempting, but it ended up disconnecting me from my nervous system and true self.

ᡣ𐭩 •｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅

Let’s sprinkle in some scientific evidence to support this. Studies show that receiving praise for presenting ourselves in ways that are inauthentic can negatively impact our self-esteem (Hussain & Langer, 2003). This highlights the importance of authenticity. 💡 Here’s the thing: at the time, I genuinely believed that “acting as if” was authentic. I thought that pretending I had those emotions would lead me to where I wanted to be. 🎀 Although this approach isn't entirely flawed, I wasn’t able to recognize the deeper layers involved.

For a bit of deeper insight, here’s what I struggled with at the time:

I battled an eating disorder from my early teenage years. I was forced into recovery and had to gain weight, which ultimately saved my life. However, I never received the psychological support needed to address the underlying emotions and thoughts that led to my illness in the first place. This experience was deeply traumatic, which is why I initially avoided feeling my emotions. My issues with food and body dysmorphia persisted, leaving me feeling far from my authentic self. I couldn’t see the deeper layers behind these body issues. I failed to recognize that what I truly craved was safety, self-acceptance, confidence, happiness, energy, and satisfaction. 🌟 Instead, I acted as if I had my dream body, projecting confidence and pretending to feel pretty, while my inner child remained deeply hurt and I felt profound shame. 💔 I had so many underlying issues that I wasn’t able to fully embody the true emotions I desired.

I understand this topic can be very triggering and that many people are struggling with similar issues. 💕 However, I also want to emphasize that healing is possible. I’ll be creating a dedicated post on how I healed my body dysmorphia and eating issues. If you have any questions or specific aspects of healing you’re interested in, please feel free to message me. 📩 For now, I'll focus on more general approaches to consider instead of "acting as if."

Stay hyped for the next chapter and have an incredible day

Lots of Love 🌸

Nina

Literature:

Hussain, M. S., & Langer, E. (2003). A Cost of Pretending. Journal of Adult Development, 10(4), 261–270. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026063611951

[monsterkong]

Redefining Leadership: Growing Through Fear and Comfort

Intro: The Fear of Leadership

What makes a great leader? 🤔 Is it charisma? Authority? Knowledge? I’ve been reflecting a lot on leadership recently, especially after listening to Michelle Poler’s insights on how fear and comfort affect our ability to lead authentically.

I think we’ve all been taught that a “good leader” is someone who is confident, composed, and always has their act together. But what if the key to becoming a truly impactful leader is accepting vulnerability, embracing discomfort, and facing our fears head-on? 💡

Let’s dive into why breaking out of comfort zones is essential for effective leadership and how embracing fear can actually help you lead better.

The Comfort Zone: A Leader’s Hidden Trap

When Michelle talked about the danger of comfort, it hit me hard. I realized that, for much of my career, I’d been avoiding discomfort—especially when it came to leadership. I thought that being a leader meant always being “on,” always having answers, and never showing vulnerability. But here’s the truth: Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being real, authentic, and willing to grow alongside your team. 👥💬

Great leaders are the ones who admit when they don’t know something, who ask for help, and who are open to learning. Leaders who are constantly in their comfort zone aren’t growing, and they’re certainly not inspiring growth in others.

The Leadership Shift: From “Perfect” to Real

As Michelle shared her experience, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own journey in leadership. I’ve spent years thinking that a leader had to be flawless. But that mentality only caused me to burn out and hold back. As she put it, “You can’t lead with an empty stomach.” 🌟

For years, I’d neglected my own needs—emotionally and physically—because I was so focused on serving others. But when you neglect yourself, there’s nothing left to give. True leadership comes from being grounded in your own well-being and authentic self.

Fear and Courage: The Pillars of Leadership

One of the most powerful takeaways from Michelle’s journey is that great leadership isn’t about being fearless. In fact, it’s about being willing to step forward with fear. 💥

I’ve spent years thinking I had to be fearless to be a good leader. But Michelle’s realization—“I’m not fearless, I’m brave”—is a game-changer. As leaders, we don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to have it all figured out. What we need is the courage to act in spite of fear, to lead with authenticity, and to grow alongside those we lead.

Fear isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of being human. And the more we embrace it, the more we can lead with empathy and understanding. 💖

Leadership as Growth: Choosing Courage Over Comfort

In the end, leadership isn’t just about the work—it’s about the journey. Leadership is growth, and growth always involves discomfort. Whether you’re leading a team, a family, or even your own life, the key is to keep moving forward—even when fear is holding you back.

So, the next time you’re faced with a leadership decision, ask yourself: Am I choosing comfort, or am I choosing growth? And, most importantly, am I leading from a place of authenticity and vulnerability? 🌱

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Fear, Lead with Courage

Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. And progress comes from taking risks, embracing fear, and continually striving to be better.

So, what fear can you face today in your leadership journey? Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and lead authentically? Let’s continue this conversation in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re challenging yourself in your leadership path! 👇💬

[coachnanda9]

👫 For whatever reason.. Have you ever felt not good enough to connect with someone? Follow these simple steps ⬇️ 🎯 Bring clarity of what it is that stops you 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️Question yourself if it’s true or an unhealthy barrier you’ve created 💡Change it if you can, otherwise accept it if you cannot 🥰 Learn self talk of self-belief and confidence ☕️ 🍷Start with asking for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine 😊 If it’s a yes, have fun! 🙅‍♀️🙅‍♂️ If it’s a no, that’s ok You’re you, you’re unique, and you’re amazing. Someone out there is looking for someone exactly like you 💃🕺 #goodenough #havefun #connect #authentic #genuine #clarity #unhealthybarriers #unhealthyfear #selfdoubt #selfdoubtbegone #confidence #confident #you #single #singleguy #singlegirl #singlemen #singlewomen #singlemum #singlemoms #singledad #singledads #divorcedmom #divorceddad #divorcedmums #divorcequotes #divorcesupport https://www.instagram.com/p/CpIHV1nPvSp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=