Myriad worlds

If somebody asked you, who are you in fact, you would probably say your name, age and occupation, or something along these lines.

That’s all very well, but it really doesn’t say much about you.

You may think it does; however, that is superficial information. The real you is a much deeper and more complex entity altogether.

Your identity is formed from your inherited beliefs, life experiences and values that you choose or are forced to adopt throughout your developing years since early childhood.

The reason why I mention myriad worlds, or better yet, myriad facades, is because you are indeed like a kaleidoscope of thoughts, beliefs, experiences and emotions that sum up a more authentic and real self.

But you may find it’s quite hard to find your own essence, who you truly are, because you have inherited so much from society, your parents and your environment that you feel these belong to you when they don’t.

When what you become through all these external influences creates a feeling of uneasiness in relation to the way you ‘must’ live your life, it’s definitely an indicator that your true self tells you otherwise.

So, it’s important that you step back, try to release those thoughts and other people’s expectations around you and the way you ought to live your life and in quietness and solitude, find your own voice, your own thoughts and beliefs and your own essence.

Photo by Atlantic Ambience

You may be surprised to find a totally new you, someone who has been hiding beneath all those imposed layers.

I must warn you that if you decide to follow this path, you may struggle a bit more than expected, particularly in the beginning, because all the legacy and burdens you have associated with the way you “are” and show to the world are deeply ingrained, but if you persist and trust the process, you will feel happier and more fulfilled in the end.

This change in yourself will definitely stir your world in a way that you may not be ready to expect or react to.

You may feel fear, uneasiness, discomfort, and ultimately doubt this new experience, but as you get more and more familiar with it, you will feel lighter and more confident that you are doing the right thing.

Let me give you an exploration exercise: imagine you didn’t need to comply with societal norms and rules, the way things should work, and that you were free to write your own story without any limitations of any sort.

What new story would you write about you?

Truly release all the old and write what you feel your new you would feel, act and think about life if you had that freedom to choose?

Dare to dream, dare to write, dare to express yourself on a blank sheet of paper.

You don’t need to share it with anybody; you don’t need to wait for approval from the outside world.

Just uncover your most hidden wishes as if they were already defining your new self.

Release any expectations, any ifs, shoulds, woulds, musts… just be as honest, raw and true to yourself as you can possibly be.

Then let that text stay in your drawer for a couple of days, and when you feel the time is right, simply open the drawer and read what you have written, from a new, fresh and open state of mind.

Photo by Arina Krasnikova

You will probably think, ‘That’s not me,’ and at that point in time, you are probably right, but if what you wrote truly resonated with your deeper essence and your deeper wishes, then you will be able to slowly but steadily start moving in that direction.

At least you will have a path, something to look forward to, a new you that will start seeing the world through new lenses, with new points of view.

And you can fine-tune your new path, your new self, and your new world gradually without expectations.

Just go with the flow, release expectations and keep on being the closest version of yourself that you can be.

You have a lot to contribute to the world by simply being you, but you must be your real you, not some made-up façade holding several masks just to fit society and whatever other person on this planet thinks you should be, according to their own view of you.

You will head towards a more authentic way of being and living, and that, by itself, is already a great gift to the world.

Are you able to challenge yourself to drop all those myriad worlds that represent what others want, think and wish for you, and become a more authentic expression of your true self?

If you want to, you can do it! Just trust the process!

Main – Photo by Jonathan Meza