Save money by being yourself.
Ok that title is a stretch, but maybe not…?
I’m on a quest to live authentically. Which may sound odd to those of you who have followed me for a long time and think that I’ve always been authentic.
Yeah… I have been… kind of…
Authentically retaken photos 25 times just to look decent.
Authentically spent 90 minutes coming up with a “catchy” subject line for my newsletters to get more people to open the emails.
Authentically arranged a cup of tea, half done embroidery project, bunch of wildflowers on my desk before taking a “random” photo of “my office for the day”.
And authentically held back certain designs because “people might not like it even though i love it”.
That last point has happened more times than I can count. Even more times than using an instagram filter to get that dewy ‘glow’ on my 53 year old face LOL!! (truth)
Have you ever thought that it can be scary being yourself?
For the most part, we don’t even know what that means.
Is it a look, a style, an invisible essence, is it always speaking your mind? Is it all those things combined? And if so how do you figure out what’s your look, your style, your voice?
I’ve discovered that it’s none of those things. In fact it’s none of ANY things.
Turns out that it’s a subtle quiet inner guidance that says (not in words) “this way” or “not this way”.
That’s it.
In order to choose what you really want, you have to choose from authenticity. And that will never be:
the latest fashion
reduced sale price
the most popular product
what your mother/best friend/priest is telling you to choose
“buy now before this offer runs out”
It will only ever be:
a flutter of joy
a peaking of curiosity
a childlike spark of inspiration
a moment of magic
In order to receive those authentic messages from your true self you can’t be distracted by flashing lights and promotions. Or burdened by guilt or obligation to buy “local/ethical/eco/small business”. Or driven by someone else’s idea of what’s good/fashionable/rare.
Just present and listening to the voice saying “this way” or “not this way”.
I’m tuning into that inner guidance more and more recently. As I currently move through an emotionally and mentally challenging jungle, I’m learning the importance of living authentically.
(I won’t go into details but if you’ve ever lived in a dynamic with another person where you’ve had to pretend things are OK when they’re not then you know what I mean… sheeesh! I’m doing ok though. This is an important time in my life and it’s been a long time coming.)
Even though I’m learning to be more authentic it’s not that I’ve ever been a faker, haha! But I have frequently been directed by the burdensome inner voice of: “you better do this right” or “don’t ruffle feathers” which has often left me second guessing myself or making choices for example for new designs that I think will be “popular” instead of because I absolutely adore them.
If you’re familiar with that from your own internal broadcast, welcome to the club. You’re not alone (double high fives).
Now what?
How do you figure out how to listen to the guidance? Where’s that ‘non-voice’ voice? Where’s the dial to tune in?? Relax, I’m going to tell you.
All you have to do is deposit $99.99 into my account and I will send you my Secret 20 Step System that doctors and banks don’t want you to know about.
Kidding!
Your authentic internal guidance system is in your present stillness. In the quiet space between thoughts, between inner judgements, between labels and titles and between societal expectations.
But it needs practice if you haven’t listened to it for a long time. You might not hear it for a while but keep tuning in and listening out for it. It will begin to guide you.
You will know when it’s not it, because you’ll feel things like guilt, obligation, anxiety, urgency, avoidance.
Sensing things like peace, excitement, inspiration, joy are great cues to move forward.
Pausing, holding off on a decision or being still for a moment are all ways to activate your inner guidance system.
The point of this blog post?
Wellll…. it’s two fold.
One is to truly truly send the message that you will never get cheap sales tactics from me, fake photos, A.I. generated newsletters and that I will always encourage you to only buy from me if you truly really love something. You’ll never miss out if you don’t buy something because I will keep making more and more designs until I drop dead haha!
It’s also to boldly say that I’m letting myself be more playful with my designs moving forward. I’ll be focussing on what I absolutely love and not so much on what I deem as ‘popular’ or ‘easy to sell’. This could mean that a design you’ve really enjoyed will no longer be back or that stuff I release moving forward won’t be your cup of tea.
But most importantly I will be bringing you the designs, colours and projects that absolutely sing to me, come straight from my heart and that I adore.
I wanted to share this with you because I believe that we all to some degree have trouble with authenticity and that we all to some degree are always searching for ways to be more of our true selves.
Sending you love and my deepest gratitude for being here. Let me know your thoughts or questions!