My authentic self

I did it! I did something that has been heavily on my heart and put it out there. It has taken me a lot of courage and guts to be honest and raw on this blog, but I want to continue going deeper. I want to truly express how living my authentic self has moved me across the world, built and closed a business, lead me down a new path of being in school and designing a new business, while also finding joy in the moment of now instead of always looking forward. It’s been an amazing journey and one that I am now able to ‘label’ that it’s all come from being my true authentic self.

So today as I walked around the seawall with a friend, I told her that I wanted to do a video. However, I felt that I needed to be perfect first before I could do it. And she challenged me, that if I’m truly living my authentic self, I wouldn’t need to be perfect, that this is how I am.

So after we finished our walk and sushi I quickly got home and didn’t even bother to look in the mirror to see if my make-up had ran. The inspiration was there, flowing out of me, and I needed to let you know that you’ll be seeing more videos of me, good and bad, being my authentic self.

I hope you come along on the journey!

Design your life assignment
Take a moment this week to write it down and explore if you’re truly living your authentic self. Sit down, create a space in your home/at work/during lunch and really figure out what is it that you need to be able to move forward.

Please feel free to share your discoveries in the comments below!

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17 comments
  • IrisApril 2, 2013 - 10:22 AM

    What you just did would be SO difficult for me. I have been following your blog, your words and your pictures this last year and you are always so perfect. The clothes are a perfect fit for the environment the shots are taking in.

    In your video you are vulnerable and that made me realize that I am only living my authentic self (a book loving, tea drinking, flannel pajama wearing nerd) when I am alone.

    Thank you for showing me your authentic self, it motivates me to accept myself more for who I am!

    IrisReplyCancel

    • LesleyApril 2, 2013 - 4:33 PM

      I’m so happy to hear it inspired you Iris! It did take some courage to do it, but I know that I can do more now being who I truly am. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • TanjaApril 2, 2013 - 11:11 AM

    Amen! 🙂
    People love to connect with real people. I think you did great!ReplyCancel

    • LesleyApril 2, 2013 - 4:32 PM

      Thanks Tanja!ReplyCancel

  • Bonnie FApril 2, 2013 - 12:43 PM

    I am responding to your challenge and request for comments. I feel that I have lived my life as my authentic self. I have had to compromise along the way but for the most part I have made choices that were right for me. Sometimes I have had to make compromises in order to satisfy the wants/needs of people I cared about whether it be family or co-workers. I had occasionally regretted those compromises but looking back I am satisfied that when faced with difficult choices I did make the right ones. As one ages and is faced with the loss of loved ones or watch people struggle with life-altering events it clarifies those things which are truly important. Yes, being true to yourself is of the ultimate importance in order to be true to others but for me my journey so far has led me to a place of contentment and satisfaction that I did the very best that I could at the time with a minimal feeling of sacrifice of myself or my values. I am past the point of needing to make my ‘mark’ on the world; lofty goals have moved over for the satisfaction of achieving simpler, easier goals and finally I can relax and just enjoy life. I think your video was just lovely and I hope you continue. Personally, I am delighted that you chose to make this video just ‘as you are’ because you are great. I really enjoy following your life and adventures and travels and I think you are living a wonderful life and are truly blessed which means you are getting it right!ReplyCancel

    • LesleyApril 2, 2013 - 9:22 PM

      Bonnie, thank you for sharing your story, insight, and knowledge. You’ve always been an inspiration to me and seeing you here just lights me up even more! I love the fact that you’re past the point of needing to make your ‘mark’ in the world, it’s nice to know that eventually we settle into a place of satisfaction and relaxation! It sounds so peaceful. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • AlanaApril 2, 2013 - 5:01 PM

    Very cool! Congrats on this, and on your new business!!ReplyCancel

    • LesleyApril 2, 2013 - 9:21 PM

      Thanks Alana!ReplyCancel

  • TanjaApril 2, 2013 - 11:46 PM

    Dearest Lesley, my heart is filled with joy when watching this! This is wonderful and authentic, just like you. I’m very proud of you, my friend.ReplyCancel

    • LesleyApril 3, 2013 - 12:25 PM

      Thank you Tanja, that really means a lot! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • anouschkaApril 3, 2013 - 3:58 AM

    Love it Lesley! You are gorgeous! I love following where your new business takes you 🙂ReplyCancel

    • LesleyApril 3, 2013 - 12:25 PM

      Thank you Anouschka, I hope to make you proud!ReplyCancel

  • KimberleeApril 3, 2013 - 6:19 AM

    Lesley, you are an inspiration! I’ve had a dream in my heart to create and share what I call “bliss rituals”, inspired movement for the whole body – but have been stuck in perfection paralysis for a very long time. Thank you for sharing the true and authentic gift of you, your video has given me the courage to just make a video with the resources I have, knowing that it won’t be perfect. Thank youReplyCancel

    • LesleyApril 3, 2013 - 12:27 PM

      Kimberlee, I hope you share your video once you put it live! I know you’ll be fabulous at it once you step into your true self. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Rebecca Robson (B.WED Photography)April 5, 2013 - 12:20 AM

    Bahahahahahahaha – I love that you’re wearing your workout gear. If it were me, I would have still been in my pyjamas looking very worse for wear. You know what…it takes more confidence to be vulnerable then anything else! When we all start accepting that we can’t always be right and that we will always fall short of perfection, then we will finally be ready for the next chapter in our lives. It’s exciting to see you embracing your authentic self! I’ve been wanting to record what’s on my heart – simply because I’m better at talking then I am writing – BUT…like you, I’m a perfectionist. After watching you putting yourself out there, I’m feeling inspired to start sharing the message in my heart. I am so, so glad to be on this journey with you!!
    God Bless you heaps and heaps,
    Bec xxReplyCancel

    • LesleyApril 9, 2013 - 5:43 PM

      Thank you, Becca for your support. Without you I wouldn’t be able to do what I do, thank you!!

      And tell me when you finally put yourself out there, go do it already! 😉ReplyCancel

  • ArshMay 6, 2013 - 8:24 AM

    Wonderful video, very inspirational! Definitely not something easy for me to do, but way to go girl!ReplyCancel