I resonate with this: “There’s a twisted irony in working hard for your freedom and then choosing to build another cage.”. I even wrote about how I built my own prison - in my case it wasn’t necessarily about a lack of fusing the who I am with the who I think I should be but that I had changed and didn’t know how to shift the work side of things to align with my new reality. I think expressing yourself is harder when you’re in the liminal phase but if you’re clear on your creative direction then by all means, those insights are what connect aligned people to you the most ✨
I don’t know of I’m just noticing it more or it really is a reckoning happening with people unapologetically showing up as their true selves. Here and on linkedin and just generally. I’m so here for people building aligned brands — it’s what makes showing up sustainable and genuine, not performative. At least, that’s the hypothesis I’m in the middle of testing.
I resonate with this: “There’s a twisted irony in working hard for your freedom and then choosing to build another cage.”. I even wrote about how I built my own prison - in my case it wasn’t necessarily about a lack of fusing the who I am with the who I think I should be but that I had changed and didn’t know how to shift the work side of things to align with my new reality. I think expressing yourself is harder when you’re in the liminal phase but if you’re clear on your creative direction then by all means, those insights are what connect aligned people to you the most ✨
So good, Anna! Again, this essay fully resonates especially as a follow up to our mentor session earlier this week.
You were front of mind as I was writing this ❤️
Great post! By chance I did listen to the chat on this one - love it!! ♥️ A great perspective that definitely helped 🙏
UGH I walk this creative/professional tightrope all the time. I needed to read this. Thank you!
I fear many of us do!
I’ve definitely tried to build the “marketable version” of myself before, and wow, what a beautifully decorated prison.
The line about working for freedom then building another cage? Rude. Accurate.
and I know that feeling a little too well to be comfortable with it.
how do you know when misalignment is fear… versus the body telling the truth?
Ooh you named the thing I’ve been feeling *so* clearly.
It doesn’t feel palatable to present myself as a leader / sailor / silversmith / mama / coach / community-builder / fashion designer / wannabe-writer…
…but also just choosing ONE of those feels like such a tiny slice of the life energy I have to share with the world.
Fascinating.
Thanks for making me think!!
You're welcome!
I don’t know of I’m just noticing it more or it really is a reckoning happening with people unapologetically showing up as their true selves. Here and on linkedin and just generally. I’m so here for people building aligned brands — it’s what makes showing up sustainable and genuine, not performative. At least, that’s the hypothesis I’m in the middle of testing.
I agree with your hypothesis!