“I haven’t seen you this happy before.” Her words pulled at my heart the moment they left her lips. My best friend saw something in me I hadn’t.
As she continued, I was reminded of what a mess I used to be. I was held back by layers of social conditioning, fears, and limiting beliefs that left me burned out and sick….and it wasn’t until recently that I started peeling back the layers – one by one.
Healing is a journey. But my friend, change from within is possible. And living a slow living lifestyle that’s true to you is within reach.
It’s not easy. It takes a lot of effort and determination, but let me tell you, it’s so worth it. I know there is a reason the Lord brought me through this season, and I can honestly say I’m thankful for the journey.
Sometimes, we don’t realize how much progress we’ve made until we see and feel these shifts.
So, here are five signs that your true self is taking the lead and guiding you in your life …
1. You Prioritize Rest
It’s tough to find time for self-care, I get it. Yet, if our cup is empty, we won’t have much good to offer anyone.
I’ve noticed that when I don’t prioritize rest, I become less creative, less fun, and less patient. I’m more reactive and tired, and thoughts start spinning me out of control. Bottom line: I’m the worst version of myself.
But here’s the thing: Healing becomes infinitely harder when we’re exhausted on the hamster wheel. To truly be present and show up in this world the way we’re supposed to, we need to take care of ourselves—first and foremost.
Self-care looks different for everyone, but the more we embrace slow living, the more space we’ll find in our calendar to replenish and recharge.
2. You Start Saying No
It wasn’t until I reached my forties that I finally found the courage to say “no!” Before that, I would either avoid showing up, come up with countless excuses, or, worst of all, deny myself what I truly wanted. (Which was usually embracing my introvert-self and being a homebody!)
Read: It took me 40 years & suffering burnout to realize I was an introverted extrovert
Living like that tore me apart, bit by bit, until I finally hit rock bottom and realized just how lost, broken, and sick I had become.
Of course, when you start saying “no,” people might react. They don’t want you to change. Their ego prefers you to stay exactly how you were in the past.
But over time, they will come to accept it, and life will move on.
Then, you’ll find yourself wondering why you suffered so much in the past when you can start to prioritize your own needs and desires.
3. You Appreciate Authentic Connections
You know what they say, “You are the sum of the 5 people you hang around with”
When we embrace our true selves, we naturally start to gravitate towards people who also live authentically. We want to be around others who mirror us, and the behavior patterns that we want to avoid also become clearer.
Bottom line: we become selective about who we keep in our circle. We want energy givers, not takers.
And, the more inner peace we cultivate, the more love and compassion we’ll have to share with the world.
And that’s friggin beautiful…
4. You Talk Less (And Listen More)
I’ll admit I like to talk a lot. (Hey, I’m a girl!) Sometimes, I catch myself formulating my response before the other person has even finished talking.
Our unconscious mind has this incessant need to be in the spotlight and, of course, to be right all the time!
But when we make an effort to be authentic in our interactions, it becomes easier to channel that energy into actively listening – asking questions and strengthening the bond.
And we all crave that deeper, more intimate, raw, and real connection…
5. You Know What You Want (And What It Takes)
Sometimes, we find ourselves so lost we don’t know who we are anymore?
I’ve been there, too, when the fog was so thick that I had no idea what would bring me happiness or fulfillment – so I continued to wear my mask and find my worth in Ironman Triathlons.
I’ve been determined to work through the tough stuff, even when it may seem more tempting to escape to Netflix or endlessly scroll through Instagram.
Taking action can be incredibly challenging, But here’s the thing – when we embrace our authentic self we can finally start to see what is genuinely meant for us and what isn’t.
And for that, we’ll do whatever it takes!
The Wrap – Living Authentically
Living authentically starts with taking responsibility for our inner world. Once we recognize that our own healing and happiness are in our hands, everything else starts to shift.
We no longer blame others for our misery; instead, we understand that our healing journey is our own responsibility.
It’s a small but important perspective shift…
And remember, you may not even realize how much progress you’ve made. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of how far you have to go, but sometimes, a gentle reminder from a friend can show just how far you’ve already come.
I’m cheering you on!
XO
jules
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