I spent so many years being a people-pleaser...and here's the truth I still find myself caring or worrying what others will think of me. It's hard to shake off sometimes.
The more I continue on my self-love journey the more I understand who I am, what I love, what I don't love and what I want most in life, but - and it's a big BUT - it doesn't mean I don't feel certain things or think certain things.
I'm not perfect...there is no such thing.
So when I got off the phone with my Grandma telling me she was having Thanksgiving at her house, I went from excited - "we can make that work" - to feeling some serious dread.
You see, my husband, kids and I are the only ones that eats different in my family.
Yep, I'm the black sheep in the family...it took me along time to accept and understand that, but now I try my best to embrace it because doing anything less would mean dishonouring myself, what I believe in, and what I love most...me!!
Let's just say I seem to do everything different: eat different, look at life different, see things different. I'm not better than them, just different (and that is totally okay).
Now going back to Thanksgiving...I started to feel overwhelmed and anxious for a couple reasons...
What was I going to make that wouldn't take too much time and that I could eat without causing a scene? AND What was I going to bring for my daughter (who can't eat wheat, dairy or eggs)? Everything has wheat and dairy in it at Thanksgiving...
And then I could hear my grandma's voice "so you are STILL eating different?"
When I first switched to a mostly plant-based diet and became more focused on feeding my body to optimize its awesomeness, my grandma was ok with it - she's like "that makes sense". However, months went on and I kept eating that way...I guess she thought it would be short lived... Wrong! I finally found something that felt right.
So if you feel like an outcast or being constantly judged or made fun of for being YOU - amazingly awesome YOU - you are not alone.
I'm not going to lie...it's not always easy being different (sometimes even a lot different) but it does feel really good being true to who I am and how I love myself....even if it might look super-crazy to someone else...it's who I am!!
It's time to do YOU...stop playing small and being small because others around you can't handle it...stand up tall and show up as the amazing person you are. If people don't like it, that tells you more about them than you.
You are unique, amazing, beautiful and one-of-a-kind...it's ok to be different, it means your not trying to fit in because you are meant to stand out!!
Two amazing quotes to keep in mind when you feel like fitting in....or when you are being judged for being who you are:
"It's not your job to like me, it's mine" Byron Katie
"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from" - Jodie Foster
Here's to embracing who YOU are...it's time to do you!!
Because there is no greater way to live than being true to who you are...you are amazing and uniquely you - own it!!