It’s to be authentic and honest with myself and others.
I know that we generally call ourselves honest, but how often do we actually hide our real thoughts and feelings? How often do we not say the real things that are going on inside our heads because we fear what people will think of us?
I know that I have done this myself. I have been scared to share myself for fear of being judged, ridiculed or shamed. I wish that I had been more honest about my feelings now that I look back.
One example is after having my fifth baby. I was struggling. He cried all day. Unless he was feeding or sleeping. I was exhausted and desperate for a break.
The health visitor asked me how I was feeling several times. She did a questionnaire with me to see if I had postnatal depression. I lied and gave her the answers that I knew would tell her that I was fine . I put a smile on my face and felt that I couldn’t be honest because there might be repurcussions.
Now, I realise that had I been honest then, I would have got the help and support that I needed. Now, I know that there is no shame in struggling.
Now, I wish that I had been honest. It took nearly another two years before I walked into the doctor’s surgery and finally admitted that I was depressed.
Although I wasn’t honest with others, I was honest with myself. In that difficult time, I knew that there was a problem. I knew that I needed to have more than a crying baby in my life, for my own sanity. It was when my baby was only a couple of months old, that I decided to start a business. Doing something for me really helped. It provided me with a sense of value and worth, when I was at my lowest. There is no shame in wanting or needing to be more than a mum.
If you’ve got to the end of this, my tip this week, is to be honest with both yourself and others. Opening up isn’t easy, but it is so worth it. Being authentic not only helps you, but it also helps others.
Be honest, be authentic, ask for help and support if you need it. There is such freedom in being honest and authentic.
Take care x