“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

In a world full of external pressure to “fit in”, to be a “replica” of the women we see in magazines, on YouTube, in music videos, or on social media, it takes courage to be original. There is so much pressure on young girls, and boys to be like their idols, and even as adults we are sucked into believing that we need to be a “prettier”, “slimmer”, “more fun” version of ourselves!

But what if we re-defined our definition of success in our lives? What if we start believing that the best way to be “happy” was not to be like someone else, but instead to be OURSELVES?

I have made no secret of the fact that for most of my life I wanted to be like someone else, or at least not be “me” anymore. I couldn’t see what was so special about me, or why anyone would like me if I was showing them my “true self”.

I lacked body confidence, I felt I wasn’t interesting enough, smart enough, or fun enough. It wasn’t that I lacked attention, I was actually what you would consider “popular”. I had parents who loved me, plenty of friends, and loads of attention from boys. But when you are not happy within yourself, it doesn’t matter how much attention you receive, or how many people tell you that you are special. Because when you don’t believe it, what other’s tell you seems fake, you simply don’t believe it.

Like I said above, it doesn’t matter what others think of you if you don’t believe it yourself. If you don’t believe you are beautiful, funny, intelligent, worthy of respect, then no matter how many people tell you, it won’t make a difference.

Yet for some reason we push ourselves and mould ourselves into what we believe will please others. We think that once we gain the approval of the guy we like, the boss we have, or our parents we will truly be happy! But this is where we are wrong!

Their approval means nothing if we don’t believe we are worthy of it!

The only person we need to approve of us, is us! We are the only person with true power over ourselves. Once you know that you can truly start to find out what makes you happy.

 

This is your life, you were born with originality and now it is time for you to claim that back! It takes self respect and courage to be who you truly know you should be. When I went back to writing I had to put myself out of my comfort zone, I had to be vulnerable and it wasn’t easy. Although I was in a bad space, I was used to that place. I had become comfortable with my life even though I knew I was unhappy. But only I was capable of making the changes that had to be made. This is my life and I had to stand up and say “no more”. I had to speak up for myself, I had to learn to push my boundaries and rediscover who I truly was. I had to make myself completely vulnerable and it was terrifying, but it was also the beginning of the amazing life I live now!

Learning to love and respect yourself after years of self loathing is not easy, but I am proof that it is possible. Don’t let fear of change, or negative self talk stop you from finding yourself! It takes strength and courage to be who you were always meant to be, but once you start believing in yourself the possibilities in your life become endless.

You can only truly live successfully and happily when you are being true to who you are. You must live your own truth and no one else’s. The true meaning of happiness is found in authenticity. So embrace who you are, love yourself, be unique, and be fearlessly authentically YOU!

Thanks for joining me, love Mackenzie xx

Follow me on Instagram @macglanville

 #livingfearlesslyauthentic

Have you joined in my Instagram Community Yet?

It is Living Fearlessly Authentic  #livingfearlesslyauthentic  a # community on Instagram that is all about sharing our real lives. This can be pics of you feeling empowered, your kids playing, or your kids making a mess. It can be a quote you love, a photo of the coffee you have to have in order to survive the day. It can be you feeding your baby, or a book you are enjoying. It is all about showing people the real you, your real life, those imperfect moments, and those moments where everything is going right too! Life is real, it is beautiful, messy and fun, so next time you add a photo to Instagram use the #livingfearlesslyauthentic and I will show it some love xx

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I am also co-hosting the community IG Hashtag #Mummyshot

You can find out more about these new Instagram communities on my YouTube Channel Reflectionsfromme my latest Vlog is up which explains more about both #livingfearlesslyauthentic and #mummyshot