Elevate Your Life: Choosing Authenticity Over Expectation

“Graduate high school. Get a degree. Find a job. Get married. Have kids.”

“And do it in that order.” Said every parent of a millennial.

“Uuuummm what about what I want? Doesn’t that matter?”

“Yeah but not really. We taught you to be yourself but we actually want you to be like everyone else. Remember when you learned Santa Clause isn’t real? It’s kind of like that. Do life the way we tell you and MAYBE you’ll be able to keep a roof over your head.”

Sound familiar? Yep, same here.

Our parents may have meant well but daaaamn.

No better way to kill your dreams than to be told you’re just another suburban cog in the cookie-cutter shaped mill, right?

Bucking expectations and choosing to follow your own path takes incredible strength.

Parents, and all the generations before you, have dictated what it means to be ‘successful’ in this country.

Receiving a college education, getting married and having a family have been the only acceptable ways to “be happy.”

But that’s absolute bullshit.

“Why would I want to be like everyone else?”

“What if I want something other than what society has told me to want?”

“What about my individual needs and wants?”

God forbid we think or do differently than everyone else!

You’re done with pleasing others.

The fear of not living your own life has taken over.

It’s time to stand up and live life on your own terms.

Standing on the edge of full freedom, you can see the light just on the other side.

But in case you need a little help , here are a few tips to help you on the road to authenticity:

• Remember your end goal. Don’t let your critics get in your head. If they don’t support your unique individuality, let it be. Keep your main goal in mind to stay on track.

• Know your worth. You are deserving of living a true and genuine life. Regardless of your past, there is no legit reason you are not worthy living the life you want. In times of doubt, practice self compassion to reset your focus.

• Be gentle with yourself. Meaningful, lasting change takes time. When you’re feeling scared and unsure, take out your toolbox of healthy copings skills and practice good self care.

Authentic flow is just a few steps away!