TODAY'S MOTIVATIONAL MESSAGE
Just for you, {{ First Name | Friend }}
Authenticity is the key to living a life of freedom. When you let yourself be guided by your own inner truth instead of trying to fit expectations, life feels more fulfilling. You no… Continue Reading
Hot Reads
Stop Letting Your Intrusive Thoughts Steal Your Happiness: 4 Ways to Beat Them
Having intrusive thoughts is like opening a can of worms.
Every overthinker out there knows exactly what this means - once you acknowledge one, more come slithering into our brains. Obviously, we're better off without these thoughts, as they can eat away at our peace of mind.
Let us paint you a picture.
You're at dinner with friends and all of a sudden, a random question pops up in your mind. Out of the blue, you hear a voice saying your friends are only putting up with you because you tagged along.
"No one wants you there. And if you weren't there, hardly anyone would miss you."
Sound familiar? How about this one...
You're having a wonderful time with your partner - but the voice in your mind says otherwise…
Are You Trauma Dumping? 7 Common Signs & 6 Ways You Can Avoid it
One thing about experiencing trauma is the fact that it demands to be addressed, otherwise, it haunts us for a very long time.
Naturally, we'll turn to our friends and families to help us process and vent those traumatic experiences. However, there's a blurry line between venting and trauma dumping.
Trauma dumping is the term for unloading your emotional or psychological trauma onto someone else without their consent or setting appropriate boundaries beforehand. Trauma dumping can occur in relationships, on social media, or even in casual conversations.
While seemingly relieving, trauma dumping can be harmful to both the person doing the dumping and the person receiving it…
The Boundary I’m Building
"Choosing Truth Over Being Liked"
I watched expressions shift when I said something honest in a meeting last week. There was a small flicker of surprise, or maybe it was disappointment; nothing dramatic but I noticed it. The kind of reaction that makes you immediately aware you’ve stepped out of the role people expect you to play.
My old instinct was right there, ready to jump in and soften the blow. To add a quick “but that’s just me,” and make the truth sound gentler, or smaller somehow. But instead, I let the moment rest with discomfort, and it felt terrible.
For most of my life, being likeable has been my safety strategy. I focused on making myself easy to be around, rather than deeply known. I knew how to keep things smooth; how to take the temperature of a room and adjust accordingly. I knew how to make myself agreeable enough that no one would push me away.
What if my real thoughts were inconvenient?
What if my opinions created tension?
What if people didn’t like the unfiltered version of me?
So I got used to shapeshifting. Laughing when something wasn’t funny, nodding along to avoid conflict, and holding back the parts of myself that felt too heavy.
It worked, but only on the surface.
People liked me, but they didn’t truly see me. There’s a specific kind of loneliness that comes from being accepted for a version of yourself you’ve edited down.
A few months ago, I started noticing just how much I kept myself contained. How often I swallowed what I wanted to say, stepped into the “easy one” role. But most significantly, how tired I felt from managing everyone’s comfort except my own.
So I started small. I shared an actual opinion in a group chat instead of liking everyone else’s. I declined invitations without apologizing six different ways. I disagreed gently, and calmly without immediately cushioning it.
Every time I chose honesty over likability, I felt the same two emotions: fear and relief. Fear that I’d lose connection but relief that I finally told the truth.
Some people did pull back. They missed the version of me who kept everything smooth and uncomplicated.
But the people who stayed?
Our connections shifted. Suddenly, they became deeper. I wasn’t performing anymore, and they responded to that.
So here’s what I’m learning: likability is about fitting in; authenticity is about being known. One gets you approval, and the other gets you connection.
I’m choosing connection, even when it costs me approval.
The right people won’t need the softened version of you; they’ll stay for the truth.
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Today’s Quote
Today's Affirmation
I am starting to trust more.
I am fully present and able to notice all the abundance in my life.
I have the freedom to pursue my purpose and passion… Continue Reading
You’re allowed to move at your own pace. - Credit @twillostory - IG