A Journey From People-Pleasing to Unburdened Freedom

Once upon a time, there lived a young woman named Emily. Bright-eyed and filled with dreams, she dreamed of making a difference in the world. Emily was full of love and innocence, and she somehow came to believe that the only way to truly matter, to truly change the world, was to please as many people as possible and become smarter than anyone else.

She began to view herself as a work in progress, forever striving to become something greater. Her present self, in her eyes, was irrelevant, a blank canvas that needed to be filled with knowledge, accolades, and accomplishments.

For decades, Emily worked hard, burdening herself with over-achieving, gathering praise, earning certificates, and winning awards. Her life became a non-stop marathon, running towards a mirage of perfection and the fulfillment of the dream of making a difference through approval and acquisition. All the effort of her pursuits was necessary in her desire to do good, find her value, and make a difference.

As the years went by, the vibrant spark in Emily’s eyes began to wane. The innocent determination turned into weariness and exhaustion that weighed her down. Though she made great strides in her professional life, and public persona she found herself drained and dissatisfied. The more she chased the illusion of pleasing everyone, the more she lost touch with herself.

It wasn’t until late in her life, in a moment of quiet reflection and exhaustion, that Emily came to a profound realization. She noticed that she wasn’t broken and didn’t need to be fixed. She caught a glimpse of her innate value, the essence that made her unique, and the innocent mistake she made by not recognizing the treasure within her own being.

Emily’s pursuit of intellect and appeal was never wrong; it was misguided. She failed to see that she didn’t have to become something else to make a difference; she already was enough. Her essence, her authenticity, was what truly mattered; all she had to do was begin being her authentic self.

The Freedom of Authenticity

Are you, like Emily, burdened with the weight of trying to please everyone? Have you lost yourself in the race of becoming smarter, more appealing, more everything?

It’s a journey many women travel, until we don’t. We have the ability, opportunity, and dare I say responsibility, to age gracefully and make life more beautiful for others. The truth is, you don’t need to become anything else to be valuable and make a difference in the world. You are enough, just as you are.