The courage to be seen and heard.
I don’t know if we talk about this enough.
It’s one of those things that always seems like other people find this easier to do than we do.
We watch others at work, initiate conversation in the coffee line and go live on IG stories and we tell ourselves, “It’s easier for them than me.” “They’ve got experience in…” “If I was… I’d be able to do that too.”
Courage is a funny thing. Because often, while you’re looking at that person doing what you wish you could, they’re looking at someone else thinking the same thing.
The truth is that someone else is always going to be able to do it in a way that seems more polished, more graceful and more effortless. They will appear to find it easier to be seen and to be heard.
But what does that mean for you and your voice?
Being Seen Becomes A Choice
A choice that you make for yourself.
You could let it stop you from showing up in your most authentic, visible way.
Or you can decide that you are done silencing the frequency of your truth, the reverberations of your voice and the visuals of your true, authentic self.
Because when you make that choice to show up in your true voice and be seen, magic happens.
Others get to experience your authentic self and respond to the real you (not that watered-down version.)
You create a solid relationship with yourself, your feelings and what is right.
Your inner confidence soars, knowing that you have your back at all times.
You no longer feel like an imposter in your own life.
You preserve your precious energy for your most important thing.
Being you.
No Other Way To Be
It’s a practice.
A practice of reminding yourself that the alternative is no way to live your life and that the world is waiting for you to give yourself permission to be seen and heard.
So give yourself permission to live comfortably in your own skin. Give yourself permission to express yourself and speak up when you desire.
And give yourself credit for having courage.
As women, we tend to hold our cards closer to our heart than we want to admit. It might be safety. It might be something that was taught to us.
And yet maybe it’s time to put down the shield that keeps you separated from the women who are ready, willing and able to support your rise.
