Things change when you start working on yourself. Some things that you expect to be too clichéd actually do happen, and others take you by surprise. Here are some things that arise when you spend time being the real you.
Haters gonna hate
No matter how well off you are or how well you have it together, there will always be people who will criticize you. The trick is not to buy into the number one lie: “You are lacking.”
Some will do it out of jealousy, some will do it out of spite, and others will do it to push you. But they all tell themselves “I’m not being nasty” or “I’m trying to help them grow.” Only some of them will actually turn the criticism into something constructive for you to work on. The reason being, it’s not about what you’re lacking—you already have everything to make the most out of your life—it’s about which parts you can make better. Constructive criticism will show you those parts.
Friendship masks fall to the floor
As people start seeing you for who you are, you start seeing them for who they are. Sincerity increases beyond value. People who genuinely want to know you are intrigued and go out of their way to discover more about you, from you. You’ll find yourself in a position of authentic friendships, the ones that don’t use you as a time or space occupier, or to fill an emotional void. Instead of blowing their own horn and forcing you to blow yours to make a masked friendship work, you’ll find yourself in the presence of people who keep you accountable to your own standards and priorities. These are friends that add value to your life and you to theirs.
Self-inflicted drama becomes childish
When you know yourself better, you know the way you tick. You understand what sets you off on an emotional rollercoaster and what it looks, sounds, and feels like when the internal furnace starts to boil. Because you know this, you know when to walk away before it blows over, you eliminate plenty of embarrassment, moments of apologies, and a lot hurt for yourself and those around you. You become really good at seeing the outcomes of your own actions before they’ve taken place.
Drama becomes child’s play and stays in your childhood—where it belongs.
There will always be moments where the unpreventable happens, but when those moments occur, you’re also better equipped to handle them in a more dignified manner.
Opportunities are a-knockin’
All of a sudden, you find yourself living in a world where there are an influx of invitations, chances, opportunities, and challenges. A lot of them will be super exciting, some of them terrifying and daunting, others tedious and boring, and others still weird and whimsical. But you’ve extended the thoughts of your own limitations and now have the ability to test new waters. As you make decisions by sifting through these new prospects, you’d think the opportunities would slow down, but they just keep on coming, and they get better with time.
You stick to your guns
After a while, you will have learned your basic daily routine and have it pretty much down pat. When you go to embrace a new opportunity or habit, you’re able to draw from what you’ve already learned about yourself; your reactions, how long it takes you to form a habit, how you think, what you need to do to overcome it and keep motivated. Your stamina becomes one of your greatest assets.
It becomes more than a stale habit—it’s an attitude and a lifestyle change.
Having the stamina to do the little tedious things, even when you don’t feel like it, makes it easier to strive for newer and greater things. Stamina isn’t what makes you start something, but it’s what keeps you going (#Stamina2Strive) and it’s one of the most powerful skills you will master to succeed every day.
You’re actually happier
Everywhere you go, people start commenting on how happy you are. Your attire, your posture, your attitude and mood—they all reflect joy in unison. Your actual presence starts radiating exuberance, and the people around you feel it. You become so comfortable in who you are because you know your strengths and you use them to the max. But equally, you embrace your weaknesses for where they’re at, look forward to where they’re going, and enjoy the process. In becoming the best version of yourself, you actually like who you are without having to be fake.
You’re rocking being real, and the world digs that.
The world can no longer convince you of who you are, because you already know. When all the hard work pays off, the best bit is this:
You’re not even trying anymore!
Featured photo credit: Ed Gregory via stokpic.com
