Remember that time I posted about being yourself?
Well, I have a confession to make. Being myself – being fully and unapologetically Gracie – is not something that is entirely natural for me. It’s easy for me to get caught up in what I think my goals, likes, and role in life should look like (especially here in New York). It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s the truth.
With that being said, though, since writing that post I’ve gotten a lot better at learning how to be true to my (bow loving, television obsessed, sometimes a bit emo) self. But because it’s not something that comes easy to me…and especially because I can so easily get wrapped up in work and my tasks for the day…I have to make an active effort to implement things in my life that remind me to be ME.
So here’s a little list of things that help me to do just that. It’s definitely nothing crazy – just simple activities that help remind me to slow down, be present, and remember to enjoy life.
- Start every day spending prayer and devotional time with God
- Take a 5 minute break from working to stretch and/or just relax
- Cook/bake new recipes
- See my family at least every other month
- Plan dinners out with my girl friends
- Listen to podcasts *
- Treat myself to pedi or massage
- Journal at the start or end of the day
- Keep a running list/plan of vacations I want to take
- Have cozy movie nights at home
- Take at least one day a week (or a few hours a day) to unplug from technology
- Make plans to get together with friends I don’t get to see all the time
- Let myself get lost in Pinterest
* Some of my favorite podcasts are from Joyce Meyer, Tim Keller, Bethel Church, Liberty Church, and Joe Focht.
Last but not least, I think it’s important to be honest with yourself about the things you love, embrace those things, and do them as much as possible! It seems like as we get older it becomes easier to push those things to the side and define ourselves based on what we do or what we think our role in life “should be.” While those things definitely are important, I’m learning that being true to myself and the things I love will actually improve my career, relationships, and everything in between…
What simple things do you do on a daily/weekly basis to stay true to yourself?
I'm the girl, Gracie Gordon. Here at GML you can follow my journey of dreaming, working, eating, loving, and blogging my way through life in NYC.
Great post.
thanks dood
“be honest with yourself about the things you love, embrace those things, and do them as much as possible!”
So so so true. This may be one of your best posts to date, in my opinion. Staying true to ourselves is difficult, especially living in cities like LA and NYC. But it’s sooo important. I’ve found that when I get caught up in how I “should” be living I start to feel empty. I feel like I’m missing something.
Lately I’ve been keeping up with my journaling on a weekly basis (I tend to go through phases!) and it really helps me stay centered and focused on the things that truly bring me happiness.
Emily, thank you so much for this! I’m always a little wary of giving (quasi) advice posts, so this comment really means a lot
I’m right there with you on the journaling - it can literally change my entire mindset going into the day!
love, love, love this post. thank you for your honesty and vulnerability!
love this girl!
Awesome post. I just love seeing you become fully expressive of who you are. You’re so great, uniquely you! <3
I really love having long talks about likes & dislikes, as well as letting myself get lost on Pinterest. They both remind me of how there really is only one me, & that's lovely.
xoxo - alxandrialee
I love this so much!! I just read a blog entry earlier today that said, “time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” I think that is SO true! I have just started embracing my nerdy reality tv loving self…it’s who god made me to be.
I love my bible reading time, I’m doing a chronological reading plan and loving it! I like to do it in the morning but I’m slowly beginning to accept I am not a morning person so I just fit it in whenever I can.
This is such a fantastic post! And I love that quote
It’s so true! I’ve been getting better at unpluggnig at night, and it feels great!
I think it’s also important to be true to yourself as you are RIGHT NOW, and realize that you have probably changed in the last few years. Just as bad as trying to make yourself into something new is viewing yourself as you were, and thinking that is/was your true self. Some of what I used to think/like/do just doesn’t resonate with me anymore, and I have to keep reminding myself that it’s okay to have changed….I have to reset the level, so to speak.
I’m probably not making much sense, but point is, I agree with you! It’s an ongoing process to honestly assess myself as I am, and use that as my baseline.
Lisa, I couldn’t agree more. I think that’s huge - to recognize how we’ve changed and grown, and embracing it. Thank you so much for this comment!
Thanks for bringing this up; it’s so important to think about what makes us/ allows us to be us ;p I struggle with being present, so I habitually have to make a concerted effort to stay grounded. Thing is, when I tell myself to be present, I often find myself drifting farther away, which is super frustrating. However, I have found that taking my dogs for walks pretty much immediately does the trick; pets are great examples of how one should live in the moment. P.s. I LOVE that Pinterest is one of your “tricks” .. I’d have to agree with you on that one
Amazing truth you have spoken! Keep being the wonderful you… and do the things you love. You love those things because it is part of who God created you to be.
x
[...] is your “Be Me” Plan? Gracie is quite the [...]
We’re so on the same wavelength these days. You know I love this!! Here’s to being truly ourselves the way God made us. Amen & amen!
AMEN!
[…] is pretty simple – I’m going to remember to focus on those two things more, as well as embrace my “be me” plan. I’m excited to get back to basics…whose with […]
[…] simple – I’m going to remember to focus on those two things more, as well as embrace my “be me” plan. I’m excited to get back to basics…whose with […]