#live authentically

[beccawise7]

Thursday thoughts...

Life is too short to hate.

Too beautiful to hold onto anger.

And too valuable to wish ill on others.

Be kind. Love. Heal. Forgive.

~beccawise7💜🖤

[healingviawords]

The moment you start seeing life as not serious, just a playful game, all the burden you put yourself through will disspitate. Your fears of death, of life, of love. Because life is supposed to be fun! So let's love our hearts out, live to the fullest and be the best possible versions of ourselves. Because we can only do it once.

[timeless-clarity]

Anyone Else Feeling Worn Out by Instagram?

Instagram feels like more of a challenge these days, with algorithms becoming unpredictable and lacking the intuitive energy that aligns with being a human user.

Gone are the days of it being an authentic space to truly create, connect, and be seen. The pressure to curate the perfect feed, follow trends, or even pay for visibility has become draining—especially for small business owners. I miss the days when we could share what we loved and build community authentically, without constantly thinking about numbers or staying relevant in the fast tides of the algorithm.

Is anyone else feeling the same? It seems like Instagram has lost its original vibe, and I’m craving spaces where creativity can flow naturally again. Tumblr feels refreshing—no pressure, just a place to be authentic.

It makes me feel so warm inside. My teen self gets to return to the place where her love of photography and emotional intelligence developed many moons ago in my lonely rural hometown, where Tumblr was my refuge and a place to connect with others like me.

What I love about Tumblr today is the peacefulness that comes after posting. It feels like you’re part of something, rather than having visibility anxiety.

There’s a real sense of authenticity and connection, none of the pressure that leaves you second-guessing every move. It’s a platform where creativity feels free, and I’m glad to be back again!

How are you all finding it? Are you exploring other platforms and moving away from the stress of Instagram?

[namitha]

Be the artist of your life. Stay aware, curious, and free. Believe in yourself and your gut feelings. Find your own special connection with the universe. Take charge of your story and create a life that's true to you. Let the divine inspire you. Be brave, be genuine, and create a life that reflects who you truly are. Embrace your inner artist and enjoy the journey of self-discovery and growth.🌻

.

[mothlingmeg]

"Don’t shrink yourself to fit into someone else’s expectations. You deserve to take up space, to be seen, and to live authentically, just as you are."

— Unknown

[sarahjaneclark1983]

Exploring the Intricacies of Self-Discovery**

In the labyrinth of life, one of the most profound journeys we embark upon is the quest for self-discovery. It's a journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations, often leading us down paths we never imagined traversing. Yet, amidst the chaos, there lies an undeniable beauty in unraveling the layers of our being and understanding who we truly are. In this blog, we delve deep into the intricacies of self-discovery, exploring its significance, challenges, and ultimate rewards.

Self-discovery is not merely about finding superficial labels to define ourselves; it's about peeling back the layers of societal conditioning, personal biases, and external expectations to uncover our authentic selves. It's about embracing our strengths, acknowledging our weaknesses, and accepting the complexity of our identities without judgment. Through self-discovery, we cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and gain clarity on our values, passions, and purpose in life.

However, the path to self-discovery is not always smooth sailing. It's fraught with challenges that test our resolve and push us out of our comfort zones. We may grapple with self-doubt, fear of the unknown, and the overwhelming pressure to conform to societal norms. Moreover, confronting our inner demons and acknowledging uncomfortable truths can be a daunting task. Yet, it's precisely through these challenges that we grow and evolve, emerging stronger, wiser, and more resilient than before.

Fortunately, there are various tools and practices that can aid us in our journey of self-discovery. Journaling, meditation, and introspective exercises allow us to delve deep into our thoughts, feelings, and desires. Seeking guidance from mentors, therapists, or spiritual leaders can provide valuable insights and perspectives. Engaging in creative outlets such as art, music, or writing can also help us express our innermost thoughts and emotions. Ultimately, the key is to be open-minded, curious, and compassionate towards ourselves as we navigate the labyrinth of self-exploration.

As we unravel the layers of our being, we inevitably encounter aspects of ourselves that may challenge societal norms or defy conventional expectations. Yet, it's crucial to embrace our authenticity wholeheartedly, regardless of external judgment or validation. True self-discovery requires us to honor our unique quirks, eccentricities, and idiosyncrasies without apology. It's about living authentically and unapologetically, even if it means standing alone against the tide of conformity.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties, the rewards of self-discovery are immeasurable. As we come to know ourselves more deeply, we cultivate a sense of inner peace, fulfillment, and authenticity. We form deeper connections with others based on genuine understanding and acceptance. Moreover, self-discovery empowers us to pursue our passions, chase our dreams, and live life on our own terms. Ultimately, it's a journey of liberation, transformation, and self-empowerment that enriches every facet of our existence.

In the tapestry of life, the journey of self-discovery is perhaps the most profound thread, weaving its way through the fabric of our being and shaping our destiny. It's a journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations, yet amidst the chaos lies the promise of transformation and self-empowerment. So, let us embrace the adventure wholeheartedly, armed with courage, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. For in the depths of self-discovery, we discover the true essence of our being and unlock the boundless potential within us.

[mafaldaknows]

Instagram: the.loving.guide

Take a lesson, those of us who need it.

[lilsleepybear]

As I move into 2023, I encourage everyone to look at the lives they are living, and dare you to live authentically. Be who you are. Love out loud. Live how you were created.

Here’s to living authentically and unapologetically you!

[thixcy]

Source: ArringtonAllen via instagram

[journey-to-balance]

So many people don't wear their favorite clothes, because they are saving it for a special occasion. They don't wear their favorite fragrance, because they're saving it for a special evening.

We do this with many things, like eating out of paper plates, or eating on the run, all while perfectly good china collects dust in cabinets, or perfectly good food is forgotten in the fridge, because there's simply no time to prepare it or to set the table or because things are on hold for that elusive special day.

Then, before you know it, your fragrance has lost its scent, the clothes don't fit, and you've somehow misplaced that recipe you were so sure you wanted to prepare.

You get sick, or distracted, or whatever. Either way, life passes you by. Just like that, without realizing it, while you were waiting for that special day.

Look, you can buy another fragrance, even new clothes, but you'll never get this special moment back.

Every day is precious. Every moment is special. Wear the dress. Spray the perfume. Set the table. Indulge in life's little luxuries. Once the moment is gone, you won't get it back.

[auntiestarshinetalks]

Stay true to your values:

Live in alignment with your purpose and principles. Staying true to your values and living in alignment with your purpose and principles are a deeply personal journey that requires self-awareness, intentionality, and consistent effort. Here are some steps to help you along this path: Define Your Values: Take time to identify and define what truly matters to you. Values are often deeply…

[nimixo]

Unlock Your Truth Superpower: It's in Your Inner Child

An honest man is always a child. -Socrates

#honestyquotes #liveauthentically #TruthMatters #unleashyourinnerchild #childlikewonder #philosophyoflife #bereal #TransparencyMatters #Nimixo #motivationalquotes #MotivationBlowByBlow #motivationsaturday

[free--therapy]

It's anon!

I have a weird question to ask (I'm sorry 😭)

What does "be yourself" or "be your true self" even mean? To be true to your personality?

But I mean....by default, some people have personalities where they are nice, then there people who are by default kinda mean (don't mean this in a bad way though), some people might be naturally manipulative kinda? Then some people like to gossip, etc. Some people might go to great lengths to achieve their personal goals even if it means dragging someone else down, or some people might not mean anything bad but still are selfish when it comes to things they want. Or people like a lot too.

What I mean is, by default, people have a lot of good and bad tendencies or habits, right? Some people might have more good ones and some might have more bad ones. But most people, do things like these some or other times, right?

But most importantly, what I've noticed is, many times, either people aren't much aware of their "bad" parts or they don't care about it much. Many people just accept most of their flaws or "negative" parts of their personality as a part of them maybe?

But what I mean is, is that a part of being true to ourselves too? Accepting our flaws (and by flaws I mean things like being selfish, and all other stuff I mentioned above) and being okay with them?

Of course, hurting someone who's close to us is not good and if we do make big mistakes that genuinely do hurt those we love, we should take accountability. But other than that, what does accepting ourselves even mean?

I've always been wondering about this honestly, especially since I started overthinking about the whole "do I deserve good" thing. Because I know a lot of people around me have lotttt of flaws but I don't mind.

What I mean is- some of them will easily get cancelled in today's social media culture because of things they say or believe in or even how they act lol

But I find myself to be completely okay with them. And I know most of us are okay with each other. Even if we don't relate or have common views on something, we still love each other nonetheless when it comes to a lot of stuff. (of course still my anxiety does make me question what if they knew about certain things I did that they don't know about watching that content etc. but that's a different topic)

What I want to say is....many times, as we spend more time with people, we might get to see many of their flaws too and their "toxic" traits. Of course, if it hurts us a lot then we should confront but if not, then in most cases, people just roll with it.

Or at least, that's how it's been in my experience. Like that younger cousin I told you about (the one I sometimes used to feel jealous of), I still love her and care about her. And we both are very similar in personality and we even talk about this. We both are often told that we have a natural tendency to influence others. I've heard a lot of people say this to me. And I'm pretty sure that there have been times where, without realising, I end up taking advantage of that trait of mine.

But recently, I've just been thinking about this. Some things that people always tell me I'm gifted with....like being able to influence others, or being able to kind of convince others, being a natural leader, etc. I know I have that "image" in front of a lot of people and even people who do know me tell me that while it might be something I do outside but still, apparently, I do have those traits.

Even I acknowledge I have it but recently, I've been feeling very guilty about having those traits. I mean....it's not my fault that I'm like that naturally, is it? But that makes me feel like I'm some manipulative person or something. Of course, I know I tend to be selfish but I also know I put peace and other's well being over mine a lot of times. So I know and want to believe I'm not all bad.

But I mean, the negatives that I do have....if those are a part of me then should I be accepting myself despite those flaws or bad traits?

It's like- we all say that we should be kind to others, be a good person, help those in need and all that stuff. And I agree with that and try to be kind too but still, I do have times where I act...not so much like a "good" person I guess. I end up doing something wrong out of my own selfishness sometimes too.

So am I supposed to change that part of myself? Do I become lovable or deserving of love, kindness, care only when I completely get rid of those bad tendencies I have?

This is hard to explain honestly. It's not like I'm asking for permission to do bad things on purpose but rather, it's like I've been wondering that even if in the moment, I end up doing those in the future (because I know I might), will that make me deserve any less?

It's like I've started expecting myself to be a perfect person morally speaking. Like if I get bothered by something/someone and catch myself acting petty for example, I'll feel bad and guilty for being petty. Things like that. Then I take it too far, worrying if that makes me a bad person.

I don't know how to say this properly. But it's like- I'm just a human, right? I know I shouldn't be expecting myself to be perfect. But the flaws and negative points I do know I have, should I be accepting them too?

When someone says "love yourself" does that mean loving ourselves despite having bad/wrong habits? Or does it mean, we should change those habits and then we can love ourselves? What if I choose to keep some flaws and not change those flaws in me? Then what? Does that make me less deserving?

I shared this with my sister and she said that most people, even after doing lots of wrongs, still won't wonder if those wrongs make them a bad person. Or if those wrongs make them undeserving of anything good. According to her, most people don't think that far but she said, it's just the way the world works. We should be kind where we can be but there might always be times where we end up acting petty, jealous, taking wrong actions because of our negative feelings/thoughts, being selfish, being a "hater" lol and still it can be fine according to her. She even asked me, "If I tell you about someone I dislike because of certain things and I talk about the person in a bad way in front of you, will you think I'm a bad person?" And honestly, my answer to that question was simply "I would never." Because I mean, regardless of the fact that her doing it is right or wrong, I still wouldn't think of her badly for it because I just love her like that. I feel I'm in it with her whether she's at her best or her worst.

By "being at her worst", I mean times where she acts or makes bad decisions (sometimes despite knowing better lol). Like if she does something that we can consider petty or toxic, that's her being not her best self. But even in that, I would love her and be on her side and I don't think having moments like that makes her a bad person. But does that make me a bad person?

I even have a cousin who's overall a nice person but he's homophobic and I don't agree with that aspect of him. I support the LGBTQ+ community but he doesn't but I still accept him and love him and don't really care about it. It's his opinion I guess but it's not a "good" thing to be a hater is it? But he is and I'm okay with it. Does that makes me a hypocrite?

Does accepting my loved ones even if they're a hater sometimes and even accepting myself even if I dislike something that I shouldn't dislike or if I like something I shouldn't like, does any of that make me a hypocrite? Does it make me a bad person?

What does it even mean to be unapologetically ourselves? To simply put it- even if I acknowledge certain bad traits or flaws in me and if I choose to not change them completely or get rid of them and be better than that, does that mean I'm not deserving?

It's like.....am I allowed to take up space even if I sometimes continue to let my flaws or bad feelings get the best of me? And while many times, I don't realise it if I do something wrong but there are some times where I might know it might be a wrong thing to do but I still end up doing it because I might want something, even worse when it involves other people (which many times, it does).

All these imperfections I have make me feel guilty and the fact that I still end up doing wrong some times despite being aware makes me sick of myself honestly.

I don't know.... it's just....the "be yourself and be unapologetic about it" thing makes me wonder if with all these flaws and imperfections, can I still continue to have them and still be myself and love myself? Or does the "be yourself" thing only apply to the "good" tendencies we have? Is it not supposed to be applied for the "bad" in us? I have soooo many imperfections so I feel guilty these days.

Or can we still take up space and be deserving and continue to be whatever we are, even if it's bad? Like bad to others at times? Then what? (That sounds wrong but I don't know how else to put it honestly)

Thank you so much for reading, as always!

Hey Anon,

To be yourself is to live authentically.

To live authentically means many things and is made up of so many layers, but I'll do my best to explain it. Being true to yourself means that yes, you are aware that you have healing to do because your experiences from your childhood have shaped you to being the person you are today. It's also realizing that these behaviours can be seen as more negative or toxic, even if they seem normal to you. It's realizing that you are not perfect and that you learn to forgive yourself for not knowing better than you do right now, but also learning to forgive those around you who shaped you into the person you are right now. It's knowing that you have negative flaws, accepting them, but also working towards bettering them and yourself to be a better human. It's also extending that same grace to the people around you because none of us will ever be able to achieve perfection, so it's okay.

It's about taking accountability for anything you may have done in the past or have done currently. It's knowing that you will still continue to mess up and have bad days, even though you know a lot of your mistakes and bad days are in the past.

It's also being able to love other people so much that you are willing to be the bad guy at times because you see them doing something toxic or harmful and you want them to stop. You're able to set boundaries and enforce them, even when it's really hard (which trust me, it can get really hard).

But I mean, the negatives that I do have….if those are a part of me then should I be accepting myself despite those flaws or bad traits?

Yes, you can accept your traits, but you can also be using them for GOOD as opposed to believing they're something bad. The power of influence can be used for good things instead of bad. These are gifts that we are given, but it all depends on how they are used.

I don't know how to say this properly. But it's like- I'm just a human, right? I know I shouldn't be expecting myself to be perfect. But the flaws and negative points I do know I have, should I be accepting them too? When someone says "love yourself" does that mean loving ourselves despite having bad/wrong habits? Or does it mean, we should change those habits and then we can love ourselves? What if I choose to keep some flaws and not change those flaws in me? Then what? Does that make me less deserving?

Yes Anon, you are human and you'll never be perfect. In fact, no one is, not even the people you /think/ are perfect are actually perfect. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has flaws and this is the one thing that should be connecting us instead of separating one another. Being able to love yourself, knowing that you're imperfect is definitely a good idea. No amount of hatred towards yourself will ever get you closer to perfection, but you can be gracious instead and accept yourself for being the human that you are. I think being in a growth mindset is what you should strive for so that you can continually work towards bettering yourself and all of your flaws. Of course you'll always have the ones that are harder to fix than others, but the pursuit of growing is never a bad idea. Also, your worthiness does not depend on your ability to overcome your bad flaws. Even those who are completely unaware and oblivious to their flaws are worthy of love. Love is never something that should be "earned".

Does accepting my loved ones even if they're a hater sometimes and even accepting myself even if I dislike something that I shouldn't dislike or if I like something I shouldn't like, does any of that make me a hypocrite? Does it make me a bad person?

No, not at all. I think way too many people are worried about being good or bad, but really it's all subjective because what I deem as good or bad is a lot different than most people or from what you may deem good or bad. It really all depends on your morals and values and not everyone will have the same ones. I think people are entitled to their opinions however, whether you agree with them or not or you want to believe it's hateful or not, but at the end of the day, they're all still worthy of being loved. This also includes yourself.

You'll learn as time goes on and as you gain more experiences in life and see what sorts of values and morals you start to align with more that you can use as a compass to guide you with what you know will be wrong or right. Just take solace knowing that whatever you do, whether it's objectively wrong or right, you'll find out eventually. You can't not live your life worrying about whether what you're doing is right or wrong and you somehow don't know it. Do your best and use your own judgment and intuition to gauge whether or not you think something is right or wrong, and don't be afraid to be wrong! Being wrong means an opportunity to learn what's right and to do better in the future :)

[loriache]

"I've been waiting for ages for somebody to unmask them."

This moment tends to elicit negative reactions in a first read through, and I've got some opinions about why where Kabru is coming from here actually makes a lot of logical sense. So I thought I'd elaborate on that.

I think people hear this and go, "He thinks they must be hiding something because they gave money to someone? What a cynic." Or "he dislikes them because they did charity?? What's wrong with this guy!". And obviously, a lot, a lot is wrong with him. But I think this makes more sense than it seems at first glance! What people evaluating this judgement miss is why Kabru is paying attention to Laios and co to begin with.

Kabru knows of the Touden siblings because (he's a little bit of a stalker-) he is keeping an eye on all the relevant parties in events developing on the island, in order to be able to guide them to his preferred outcome. This includes adventurers because they are the ones actually exploring the dungeon! He's well aware that something as minor as internal tensions between party members could be key to the historical events that are developing. (He would love the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.)

His desired outcome is that whatever the rewards are of breaking the dungeon's curse, whether that's kingship or the ancient elven secrets of dungeons, are claimed by:

A) a short lived person

B) Someone who will be a good, effective leader and/or use those secrets and the power they carry wisely, with foresight, and to establish a political bloc for short lived people.

The person he can best trust to do this is, of course, himself. But due to his PTSD regarding dungeons and monsters, he's not able to develop the necessary skills to conquer the dungeon. Once he realises this, he starts looking for someone else who he can support to that end.

But most of the adventurers don't have any intentions of conquering the dungeon, don't have the skills, or are unsuitable in other ways. In fact, it seems like some potentially suitable people are the Toudens. There are a lot of good rumours about them going around - they actually seem to have a very positive reputation! That's what Kabru means when he says "unmask".

So when Kabru is observing something like them giving money to an old comrade from their gold-peeling days, he doesn't consider it a problem because "they're giving money to this person who doesn't actually need it" or because they must have some dark secret if they act superficially nice. I think he actually understands this situation and what it implies about Laios (in particular) perfectly well.

Laios and Falin gave money to an old comrade who got injured and couldn't work. That person then healed up but kept taking their money. Then he used the money to start smuggling illicit goods to the island.

The key is that for Kabru, the problem here is the same as with the corpse retrievers - people using the dungeon's resources to fuel dangerous, selfish, or violent pursuits cause problems for the island, attract more criminals and people with motives other than breaking the curse, and increase the chances of the whole situation ending in tragedy.

Kabru is willing to work with the Shadow Lord of the island if it gets him to his goal - he isn't scrupulous - but the criminal element of the island increasing is something he sees as a major issue.

Also, when you're evaluating someone as a candidate for power, riches, secrets, potentially kingship - then being curious about how the money you give to people is going to be used is kind of a relevant trait!

Interpersonally, Kabru's actually very easygoing - I mean, Mickbell isn't exactly an upstanding guy, is he! But Kabru likes him and they get along well. These traits wouldn't be a problem at all in a friend, or a comrade, or someone Kabru was confident he could use. But he can't get a handle on Laios, and Laios is someone who has the potential to be a major player!

On Laios' end, this is the same as with the marriage seeker who joined their party. She kept asking for things and he gave them to her, because he tries to be nice to others. He even gives her money! It's the exact same thing.

That's fine, but it became a problem because he basically wasn't interested in her motives, didn't notice she was trying to manipulate him, and it also didn't occur to him that the other party members would notice or be affected. We can assume the situation with the gold peeler is the same. When Kabru says that "It's not that they're bad people, they just aren't interested in humans," he isn't wrong.

The extent to which this is true of Laios is linked to his autism imo, (because it isn't just disinterest - he genuinely isn't able to notice nonverbal cues that people are lying to him or have ulterior motives) but to a greater or lesser extent I think it's a very common trait. Most people aren't actually that interested in other people who aren't close to them. Kabru is the weird one here. It isn't an issue except as a leader - which is why we see an immediate comparison to the Island's Lord, because that's how Kabru is evaluating them.

And disinterest in/lack of ability with people to the extent Laios exhibits it, it does, actually, make him a worse leader... it's just that as we see in the story, people can help him out. The rest of the party tell him the marriage seeker is taking advantage of him so he tells her he can't give her special treatment anymore. They're pissed and it's a crisis point - he couldn't have recovered their trust without Marcille and Falin - but that's exactly the point. With Marcille and Falin, he was able to recover their trust.

And he has other good traits that make up for it, such as his intelligence, strategic knowledge, open-mindedness and sense of fairplay.

Kabru doesn't disqualify Laios as a candidate based on what he sees about him from afar, though - he still tries very hard to get close to him, obviously hoping that if he manages he can steer Laios to defeat the dungeon and make up for his lack of people-skills in the aftermath. (Which... he does eventually achieve that goal!) He completely fails until the events of the story, so... definitely I think "They just aren't interested in humans" could also partially be a stung reaction to Laios' complete disinterest in him.

Anyway, that's my read on what exactly Kabru's "issue" with Laios is. Obviously, once he does find out what Laios' true nature is like - about his love for monsters - he develops an entirely new set of fears about Laios' priorities. But since Laios kept that a secret until the start of the story, he has no idea of that yet.

Given all that, I think it's interesting that he says that he doesn't think that the Toudens are suitable to defeat the dungeon, and that he's hoping they'll turn out to be the thieves. As some of his few potential candidates, people who he thinks may play a big role in the island's future, you'd think he'd hope they would be good people!

I suppose it's better, in his eyes, because it means that he's involved in something "interesting". They haven't just had their stuff stolen by regular criminals (boring, puts them further away from his goal) - they've been caught up in the beginning stages of "a historic event". The desperate and dwindling group forgetting morals in their quest to retrieve their lost comrade probably appeals to his sense of melodrama. Because he also just... loves drama.

Despite it being "uglier than anything he was expecting", he still pursues Laios as the person he wants to conquer the dungeon pretty much as soon as it becomes clear that he won't be able to do it himself and they are out of time. That's because... well, to be fair, there aren't any other options. And he fits standard A: he's short-lived!

and Kabru still hopes he can fit standard B, too, and be persuaded to use the power he wins for good. No matter how many nightmares he has about Laios, or whether he thinks about killing him. He doubts him, but ultimately he puts his faith in him and seems happy after the manga's ending that he made the right decision.

[genderfreakxx]

[guy who already transitioned, watching I Saw the TV Glow]: fuck, I gotta transition