Living your passion and finding self-awareness may not sound like the easy thing to do. If you would have asked me if I could see myself having troubles with this a year ago, I would have said, girl no!
It’s a different thing today. Blogging and being in the social media space really opens up your eyes, tests you, and forces me to be self-aware, and I have to be uncomfortable before you get comfortable. Here’s what I mean, I was constantly in a flux of new feelings, sometimes I feel like my content is trash, sometimes I compare myself (I know, I know, I shouldn’t), and sometimes I think I need better equipment in order to be good. It’s just really easy for me to be hard on myself at times.
Another struggle is when that camera is on I feel like a deer in headlights, and suddenly, who I am is in question. What’s so funny is, I don’t feel like that at all when I’m writing, so I thought is my voice consistent? I had to ask myself why do you feel like being you isn’t enough or why are you so scared to share your magic? Then I realized, I’m putting way too much thought and pressure into this. The whole reason I’m doing this is because I love blogging and I want to inspire people to look, feel, and do good. I’m not in it for the popularity, I’m not in it for the money (although I won’t turn it down, ya girl got school loans), and I’m certainly not doing it to please others. Whoever gets, gets it, and they will ride with me.
I’m awkward and I need to embrace that, I can be hella ratchet and that’s okay, I’m not perfect and it doesn’t make sense trying to be that either. I realized the minute I deviate from that, I’m not being real and it no longer is aligned with my purpose. Blogging helped me get comfortable with myself at a point in my life where I was at my lowest mentally and emotionally. Blogging has helped me gain a sense of self and kept me on the path that I need to be on, instead of feeding into the BS — you can miss me with all of that.
So, I say that to say, if you ever feel like you are at a crossroad between living your passion and finding self-awareness, I want you to know this…
You Are You, And That Is Your Power
There are a thousand and plus people doing what you do, but they are not doing it like you. I truly believe that we all represent a community and group and what you’re doing is helping them. You’re showing them that you can do this and you can start this just being you, with what you have right now. You’re inspiring someone and they’re watching.
It’s Not About What You Have, It’s About Who You Are
Having all the money and equipment is great, but being real and being your unapologetic self is even better. People won’t remember she has this or she had that, they’re just focused on who SHE really is.
Work with what you got, be authentic and the rest will speak for itself.
Tribe And Ecosystems Are Important
When in doubt talk to the people who really know and understand you meaning your friend friend. They will fill you with motivation and keep you focused on the things that truly matter. Ecosystems are a bit different than your friends, if you want to know more about a subject or need help with a project, take a look at your professional circle, don’t be afraid to reach out to those that can offer you a perspective or a helping hand.
Build A Strong Sense Of Self
Aside from your passion/side hustle, engage in your self-care and self-journey. Understand what you need, get more intuned with your feelings and your personality. Most times sharing ourselves is uncomfortable because we’re still determining who we are. Don’t be ashamed to go through that, embrace it.
Remove Anything That Makes You Feel Bad About Yourself…PERIODT
Nah, we just don’t have time for that. There are enough things that we have to deal with that is not within our control, but you can control who is around you and who you let affect your space. It’s nothing personal, but you have to grow and you need your sanity, don’t risk that for someone else. People who really love and care about you won’t make you sacrifice that.
Overthinking Is The Devil’s Work
Plan? Yes. Drive yourself crazy with irrelevant thoughts? No. Just plan, set goals and do you. You always have time to improve. It’s okay to try new things too. If it works, then great. If not, then that’s okay, at least now you know.