Pretending to be someone other than we are has probably been around forever but its pervasive epidempic proportions are rooted in the media and consumerism. The whole “fake it until you make it” concept.

The fact is that we are all afraid of being ridiculed or not measuring up but in the end we will measure up only as far as we allow our lives to unfold with their own natural style. If we can be brave and leap, even just for the minute we are taking the first step we will continue to move down the path of living our most fulfilling lives.

So don’t hold back. If you have interests; follow them. Opinions; express them. Questions: ask them. It’s the only way to evolve and not evolving is unnatural, that’s why you feel so bad when you are not being you.

Sleeping in is an ‘in the moment’ feeling, not necessarily a personal choice of what’s best. If you miss a class because you decided to sleep in and then said, “Oh, I was just being myself” that wouldn’t fly. But if you missed class because you did something that you felt was more important that going to class that day then you’re ‘being yourself’ in that you’re deciding to follow your ‘gut’ rather than what is considered ‘proper’ or ‘expected’ by others.

Does that make sense? Eric

Good article. I find it hard sometimes to strike the difference between ‘being yourself’ and ‘not disregarding the wisdom around me’. Most of us probably strive to achieve something and fall inadvertedly into the trap of not being themselves by trying to follow somebody else’s root to success.
As a student, there are a lot of questions like should I just ‘be myself’, sleep in every once in a while or should I try to get up and work more disciplined in the morning as some very productive people do?
Where do you strike the difference between staying yourself and trying to learn from other people?

Best

Petar

You’re right that you should never let your worry about other’s reception of your own voice, dictate whether you speak up. Just be sure you’re accurate to your ideas and let the chips fall where they may. Eric

“When I think of ‘being yourself’ I picture someone who acts on their intuition, not the latest census.”

I guess this is the antithesis of being a politician. Don’t look at the polls before deciding what side of an issue to take. This is great stuff and I’ve been meaning to write a post about something I feel strongly about but I’ve been concerned about how it will be received. Your post here may spur me to finally write and publish it!

Thanks again for all of your support with the FrugalTheme. I think it is the best out there!

Best,
Bob

Be sure to let us know when your site update so we can check it out (the design and the content). Eric