Unlocking the Courage to Be Unapologetically You

Ever feel like you're living someone else's life, caught in a web of expectations and societal norms? Join me, Tone Motivates, as I unravel my personal journey through the corporate maze and social settings to discover what it truly means to live authentically. Inspired by Carl Jung's profound insight that the greatest privilege is becoming who you truly are, I share candid stories of disconnection and conformity that many of us grapple with. Through these narratives, I reveal how embracing our true passions and values, despite fear of rejection and societal pressures, can transform our lives into something more aligned and fulfilling.

This episode isn't just about storytelling; it's a practical guide for those yearning to step into their authentic selves. We explore actionable steps like trusting your intuition, setting boundaries, and celebrating what makes you unique. Authenticity is not about perfection, but about progress and honoring your personal journey. So, take a leap this week, whether it's by saying no to things that don't resonate with your values or by wholeheartedly embracing what makes you uniquely you. Celebrate the power of authenticity and let it light your path to a more meaningful life.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Discovering Authentic Living
• 9:27 Embracing Authentic Living Tips

Transcript

Tone Motivates : 0:39

What's up, beautiful people? It's the one and only Tone Motivates. Back with another episode of Shades of Tone, and today I wanted to discuss the intersection of self-discovery and authentic living. Now I saw a really dope quote by Carl Jung and it basically says the privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are. And that went so so well with the topic today, so let's get into it.

Tone Motivates : 1:14

What does it mean to truly live authentically? So I remember being in a room full of people at a corporate event, smiling, nodding along and doing everything I thought I should do to fit in. But deep down, I felt like I wasn't really being myself and it hit me. Was I living authentically or was I just going through the motions, trying to be what others expected? I knew I'm a generally sociable person, but I started thinking of all the things I enjoyed in my personal life that may be frowned upon and it hit me. I was trying to be what others expected.

Tone Motivates : 1:48

This episode is all about exploring the intersection of self-discovery and authentic living. We'll dive into what it means to find yourself and how living true to who you are can bring more fulfillment and peace into your life. Why this topic matters, you ask. Well, in a world full of expectations from society, family and even ourselves, finding out who we truly are and living authentically can feel like a challenge, but it's also one of the most rewarding journeys we can take. So what is self-discovery? Self-discovery is about peeling back the layers of who you think you should be and getting to the core of who you truly are. It's about understanding your values, passions, fears and desires. When was the last time you asked yourself who am I really? What do I want from life? It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind without checking in on yourself, grind without checking in on yourself.

Tone Motivates : 2:47

A common myth about self-discovery is that a lot of people think self-discovery is a one-time event, like a sudden aha moment. But in reality it's a lifelong process. You're always evolving, and that's okay. The more you grow, the more you discover about yourself. It's basically like playing a Nintendo game, or, like I like to call it, sonic the Hedgehog. You beat the first level and Robotnik's not in that level. But as soon as you get to the second level, robotnik's there and you have to beat him in order to level up. And that's the same thing with life Soon, as you pass one phase, you have another one to go through and you're going to keep doing that until the day that we die. And even at that point we're still leveling up and we're still phasing.

Tone Motivates : 3:28

And I can give you another story. I thought I wanted to be a part of corporate America but I noticed with more responsibility came more of a spotlight that I didn't really want. I felt like I was living two lives and I went years downplaying what made me truly happy, doing what I thought was expected of me as a mother, oldest daughter and a pillar in my immediate environment. Once I started bumping into old friends and feeling nostalgia of the memories we talked about, I started to realize a part of me had laid dormant for at least a decade. It was then I began to uncover my true self and Tone Motivates was unleashed.

Tone Motivates : 4:07

Let's chat about the barriers of authentic living the pressure to conform. One of the biggest challenges to living authentically is the pressure to conform to other people's expectations, whether it's from family, friends or society. We're often taught to be what others want us to be instead of being ourselves. On the opposite end of my corporate life, I consistently put myself in danger, growing up being extreme and defiant. It was plenty of times I shouldn't have made it home by being with the wrong crowds or in the wrong places, knowing it didn't sit right with me. I used to say yes to things I didn't really want to do because I thought that's what was expected of me, but each time I did I felt a little further away from who I truly was.

Tone Motivates : 4:56

Next is the fear of rejection. Another barrier is the fear of rejection. We're afraid that if we show our true selves, people might not accept us or like us. But here's the thing the people who are meant to be in our life will accept you for who you really are. Think about where in their lives they might be holding back. Is there an area of your life where you're afraid to fully be yourself? What would it look like to let go of that fear and step into your true self?

Tone Motivates : 5:26

The link between self-discovery and authenticity. Once you start discovering who you truly are, it becomes easier to live authentically. When you understand your values, passions and purpose, you can make choices that align with your true self. Living authentically means living in alignment with your core values and beliefs. It's about making decisions that feel right in your gut, even if they go against what others expect. I climbed the ladder of a company for 10 years and walked away from it in 2023. I felt like I wasn't able to be truly myself because of the policies and procedures I was tied to being a part of their company. I remember deciding to pursue a passion that didn't make sense to others, but it made perfect sense to me. That was one of the first times I truly felt aligned with who I was. I want you to reflect on one time or how often you make choices that align with your authentic self. When was the last time you made a decision that felt 100% true to you, without worrying about what others thought?

Tone Motivates : 6:36

Some practical steps for self-discovery. Step one reflect on your values. Start by reflecting on your core values. What's most important to you? Is it honesty, creativity, freedom, kindness? Knowing your values helps you make decisions that feel true to who you are. Step two explore your passions. What lights you up? What activities make you lose track of time? Exploring your passions is a key part of self-discovery because it points to what truly matters to you.

Tone Motivates : 7:08

Step three embrace solitude. Sometimes, the best way to discover who you are is to spend time alone. Solitude gives you the space to reflect without the influence of others. Take a walk, journal, meditate whatever helps you tune into yourself. Step four question your beliefs. Ask yourself do I believe this because it's true for me or because someone else told me it should be true? Self-discovery often involves unlearning beliefs that don't serve us. I invite you to try to apply one of these this week. Choose one of these steps Reflect on your values, explore a passion or spend some time in solitude and notice what you discover about yourself.

Tone Motivates : 7:59

Let's chat about the rewards of authentic living. Firstly, you have more fulfillment. You have more fulfillment. When you live authentically. Life feels more fulfilling. You're no longer chasing approval or trying to fit into a mold that doesn't suit you. Instead, you're living in a way that feels aligned with your true self. Deeper Connections Authentic living also leads to deeper, more meaningful relationships. When you show up as your true self, you attract people who love and accept you for who you are, not for who you pretend to be.

Tone Motivates : 8:35

Once I left corporate America, I had the time and space to concentrate on my endeavors. I dabbled in sound and acting modeling, voiceovers, helping people with business startups. I was featured in magazines, was offered all kinds of partnerships in addition to being a writer, mindset and wellness coach, host, interviewer and rotating co-host on podcasts, before starting my own. When I started showing up as my true self, not only did I feel more at peace, but I also noticed that the relationships in my life became more genuine and supportive. More people like me gravitated towards me.

Tone Motivates : 9:10

Let go of people pleasing. Living authentically means letting go of the need to people please. It's not about being selfish. It's about honoring your truth and setting boundaries that protect your well-being. Here's a few practical tips for authentic living.

Tone Motivates : 9:27

Tip one trust your intuition. Your gut knows what's right for you. When you're faced with a decision, tune into how it feels in your body. Does it feel light and exciting, or heavy and constricting? Trust that feeling, believe me. Tip two set boundaries. Setting boundaries is a key part of living authentically. It's okay to say no to things that don't align with your values or drain your energy. Tip three celebrate your uniqueness. Embrace the things that make you different, whether it's your quirky sense of humor, your creative mind or your unique perspective. These are the things that make you.

Tone Motivates : 10:09

You Practice self-compassion. Being authentic doesn't mean you'll get it right all the time. It's a learning process. Be kind to yourself when you slip up and remind yourself that you're doing the best you can. I encourage you to practice one of these tips this week. Which of these tips resonates with you? Maybe it's trusting your intuition or setting a boundary. Whatever it is, try practicing it in your daily life.

Tone Motivates : 10:40

So let's recap some of the key points. We've explored the journey of self-discovery, the barriers to authentic living and how embracing our true self can lead to more fulfilling and meaningful lives. Remember, self-discovery is a lifelong process and authentic living is a daily practice. The more you tune in to who you truly are, the more aligned and peaceful you'll feel. Living authentically isn't about being perfect. It's about being real. It's about honoring your journey, trusting your intuition and showing up as your true self, even when it feels vulnerable. This week, take one small step toward living more authentically, whether it's saying no to something that doesn't feel right or embracing something that makes you unique. Take that step and see how it feels to live in alignment with your true self and, as always, always, love. You got this.