You touch on some thoughts that I have had and here's what I have come to think, maybe hang onto is the way to put it. If a person can be their authentic self, there is no competition.
I love this thought: being in integrity with yourself is the goal. That pretty much says it all. Do what's right for you, when it's right for you. When you do that, you'll be in harmony with yourself and the universe. It took me until 50 to figure that out and get to that point. Sounds like you're ahead of the game. Good for you!
Thank you for this thoughtful comment Jeff! I think we are taught a lot about what’s out there (saving my arms gesturing to the world around us) and not nearly enough about the language of what’s within us.
Like even saying “being in integrity with yourself is the goal,” absolutely 100% yes. And also our personal idea of integrity is varied depending on the person and it’s our job to acccurately define it so that we can feel satisfied with our efforts and not just hopeful about them. I learned lot about perspective in my life and I deeply appreciate the recognition for the work I’ve done.
Thank you Hedera! It’s so easy to get caught up in the constant need to improve because everything is, in fact, a work in progress. But I try to remind myself that doing the work and doing the mess at once is the point and that’s all okay with me. Thank you thank you sweet friend!
This hit deep. The idea that "perfection is a performance" resonates in a way that feels both freeing and uncomfortable—because it exposes how much of our energy goes into managing appearances rather than nurturing authenticity. I’ve definitely worn that same mask, thinking that if I could just look the part, the feelings of safety and worthiness would follow. But that curated version of self is more exhausting than empowering.
What you wrote reminds me that healing isn’t about arriving at some polished destination—it’s about learning to feel safe in the becoming. There’s something radical about choosing presence over polish, grace over grind. Thank you for naming the illusion so clearly, and for reminding us that being in process doesn’t make us less worthy—it makes us real.
Ahhh Sar, this is so beautifully thoughtful and I deeply appreciate it. I try to remind myself that I know what makes me feel best on this journey but that doesn’t mean I need to do it everyday well to be taking care of myself. That the version of me that gets up everyday and tries is actually the hero of my story not the perfectly optimized version of me that only lives in my head. She gets too much credit and awe for only being the outcome of the girl that doing the work everyday. ❤️
Peeling back the mask of the human that has it all together is so powerful. None of us do 🤗✨
Thank you for sharing this, and also putting into perspective on what we should be “looking” out for. That friend who is doing the real work and investing in them isn’t “clearly indicated” by perfection. This is where real change and evolution happens, too! 🙏✨
Yes to all of this and the depth of wisdom these words carry! Looking forward to your newly birthed podcast to make it's debut. 💕
Thank you so so much Lisa! The podcast is out and the response has me in tears. I hope you love it too!
You touch on some thoughts that I have had and here's what I have come to think, maybe hang onto is the way to put it. If a person can be their authentic self, there is no competition.
Exactly, you are 1 of 1. Thank you for your support ☺️
I love this thought: being in integrity with yourself is the goal. That pretty much says it all. Do what's right for you, when it's right for you. When you do that, you'll be in harmony with yourself and the universe. It took me until 50 to figure that out and get to that point. Sounds like you're ahead of the game. Good for you!
Thank you for this thoughtful comment Jeff! I think we are taught a lot about what’s out there (saving my arms gesturing to the world around us) and not nearly enough about the language of what’s within us.
Like even saying “being in integrity with yourself is the goal,” absolutely 100% yes. And also our personal idea of integrity is varied depending on the person and it’s our job to acccurately define it so that we can feel satisfied with our efforts and not just hopeful about them. I learned lot about perspective in my life and I deeply appreciate the recognition for the work I’ve done.
I'm speechless, you are so true about everything, I can't pick one and be specific, because I think I was in that mindset 🌹.
Thank you Hedera! It’s so easy to get caught up in the constant need to improve because everything is, in fact, a work in progress. But I try to remind myself that doing the work and doing the mess at once is the point and that’s all okay with me. Thank you thank you sweet friend!
Find the balance is hard sometimes, now I'm in the way of personal discovery and experimentation, and your post are really helpful.
This makes me so happy, I’m so glad ☺️
This hit deep. The idea that "perfection is a performance" resonates in a way that feels both freeing and uncomfortable—because it exposes how much of our energy goes into managing appearances rather than nurturing authenticity. I’ve definitely worn that same mask, thinking that if I could just look the part, the feelings of safety and worthiness would follow. But that curated version of self is more exhausting than empowering.
What you wrote reminds me that healing isn’t about arriving at some polished destination—it’s about learning to feel safe in the becoming. There’s something radical about choosing presence over polish, grace over grind. Thank you for naming the illusion so clearly, and for reminding us that being in process doesn’t make us less worthy—it makes us real.
Ahhh Sar, this is so beautifully thoughtful and I deeply appreciate it. I try to remind myself that I know what makes me feel best on this journey but that doesn’t mean I need to do it everyday well to be taking care of myself. That the version of me that gets up everyday and tries is actually the hero of my story not the perfectly optimized version of me that only lives in my head. She gets too much credit and awe for only being the outcome of the girl that doing the work everyday. ❤️
Peeling back the mask of the human that has it all together is so powerful. None of us do 🤗✨
Thank you for sharing this, and also putting into perspective on what we should be “looking” out for. That friend who is doing the real work and investing in them isn’t “clearly indicated” by perfection. This is where real change and evolution happens, too! 🙏✨
Let it be messy, and I’ll take ✨honest✨ over polished every day of the week! Thank you for your insight!