As a young girl, I was blissfully unaware of the societal pressures and expectations that would later shape my understanding of authenticity. I played in the freedom of self-expression, unfazed by the judgment of others. Yet, as adolescence dawned, I found myself struggling with the harsh reality of conformity and rejection.

In those impressionable times, I discovered that being true to myself came at a cost. My good grades, “teacher's pet” characteristics, unique style of mismatching clothes, suddenly became sources of ridicule. The desire to belong and “fit in” overshadowed my innate sense of authenticity, and I found myself retreating into a shell of conformity. If being a teacher's pet wasn’t accepted, then I must rebel…

I started skipping school, hanging with the “wrong” crowd, smoking weed and later drinking. With suppressed beliefs about not being good enough, I buried my uniqueness beneath a facade of acceptability crafted to please societal norms and expectations. Yet, despite my efforts to blend in and numb out, I felt a profound sense of disharmony; I was awakening to the realization that I was denying myself the opportunity to live authentically, to be seen for the beauty I Am.

It was then that I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. I realized that the rejection I had faced was not a reflection of my worth or value, but rather a testament to the narrow-mindedness of those who could not appreciate my uniqueness. I gave those wounded parts of me love, shed layers of low self esteem and doubt that once imprisoned me, and embraced my quirks and “imperfections” as badges of honor rather than sources of shame.

I made a conscious decision to embody Me fully, and allow the discovery of who I Am in each new moment to bloom with the seasons and cycles of life. I came to understand that true empowerment lies not in conformity, but in embracing one's authenticity unapologetically.