Authenticity: Not Apologizing for Who I Am

**The easiest thing to be in the world is you, and the hardest thing to be in the world is what other people want you to be (leo Buscaglia) **

Photo is mine

*I’ve spent a good part of my life trying to fit into spaces that were never really meant for me. Shrinking myself, softening my voice, second-guessing my instincts, just to make sure I didn’t come off as “too much” or “not enough.” I used to think it was necessary. That it made me more likable, more accepted. But somewhere along the way, I started to feel like a stranger to myself.

The truth is, there’s something incredibly draining about constantly editing who you are. You end up walking on eggshells, questioning every move, every word. It’s exhausting. And the worst part? Even when you try your hardest to fit in, someone will still find a reason to criticize you. So I asked myself, what’s the point?

I’ve reached a place where I’m choosing to show up as myself, fully and unapologetically. I’m no longer interested in shrinking or adjusting to make others comfortable. That doesn’t mean I’m closed off to growth or feedback. But there’s a difference between growing and pretending. Growth is rooted in love, while pretending is rooted in fear. And I refuse to live in fear anymore.

Authenticity is messy. It's not always polished or easy to digest. But it’s real. And in a world full of curated images and filtered versions of life, being real feels like a quiet kind of rebellion, you fight the for it everyday.
There’s a certain calm that comes with knowing you don’t have to keep up an act. You just get to be.

I’ve learned that not everyone will like you when you’re real. And that’s okay. Not everyone is meant to. The right people, the ones who matter, will respect your honesty. They’ll see you, really see you, and appreciate you for exactly who you are. No performance required.

So no, I’m not going to apologize for who I am anymore. Not for being passionate, opinionated, quiet, intense, sensitive, ambitious, whatever it is. These aren’t flaws to fix. They’re parts of me. And when I stop hiding them, I give others permission to do the same. That’s how connection happens. Not from being perfect, but from being human.

If you’re reading this and you’ve ever felt like you had to tone yourself down, let this be your reminder: you don’t have to. You were never meant to be anyone else but you. And that version of you, the real, unfiltered, genuine version, is more than enough.

We are not supposed to fit in, we are supposed to stand out.

Be proud of who you are. Own your story, even the parts that feel unfinished. You don't need to explain yourself to everyone. Just be yourself. That’s more than enough.

Always has been.*

Thanks for your time.