Hi rule-breaking loves!
You’re looking marvelous today, my dear.
Today we’re taking a little breaky break from the Wannabe Entrepreneur Series because I got totally inspired.
(Getting inspired is a good enough reason to do just about anything you want, by the way).
QUESTION: Have you ever been shy about being unabashedly Y-O-U?
Like, have you ever really wanted to become a hippy, learn to play the piano, listen to classic rock music all day, paint watercolor pictures, start your own business, detox, try out for American Idol, or change your lifestyle…. but you were scared of what other people might say?
I mean, it’s only human to want other humans to approve of us.
But I’m here today to tell you that it’s time to start approving of yourself EVEN IF that means getting some stink eyes or weird comments from other people. As long as you’re living your dream and doing what you love, you’re not hurting anyone. It’s your job to be YOU!
We have an EPIDEMIC in this world of APOLOGIZING for being ourselves because we don’t want to “offend” other people. All this does is produce a species of samesies– mediocre people who never step out of the box.
So here it goes. Here are a few things that people may judge me for, but I refuse to apologize!
- I refuse to apologize for being a vegetarian (and generally health-conscious). I’m done eating things I don’t want to eat because I’m afraid people will start asking me about my food choices. I don’t ask other people to make me food, and I’m very happy with this decision, thank you very much.
- I refuse to apologize for loving the Twilight movies. No, like seriously. I’m obsessed with them. (Didn’t enjoy the books so much, though). If I’m having a rough day you better bet your buns that I’m cuddled on my bed watching Bella and Edward’s dramatic lives unfold with a hot mug of chai tea.
- I refuse to apologize for listening to Top 40 music. I LIKE FLO RIDA, DAMNIT. From now on, when music snobs ask me what music I like, I’m proud to say Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Adele, and the like.
- I refuse to apologize for being obsessed with Barack Obama. I totally respect everyone’s political beliefs. Diversity makes the world go ’round! I think it’s bogus that it’s become so taboo to talk about politics because people like, get so freaking offended. I love Barack Obama. In fact, love probably isn’t strong enough a verb to adequately express my feelings. You don’t? THAT’S GODDAMN FINE. Do what you want!
- I refuse to apologize for being incapable of working a “normal” job. Sometimes I feel guilty telling hard-working people about all of the freedom I have– like work isn’t supposed to be this soul-fulfilling or freedom-creating. I’m officially done feeling guilty! If people feel envious of the freedom I’ve created for myself, I hope to inspire them to do the same. If they’re envious, it means that they’re not 100% happy with their lives and I want to show them how to have everything they want, not hide my own joy. Everyone deserves to live a life that they’re proud of.
- I refuse to apologize for believing in “woo woo” stuff. To me, the “spiritual” stuff I read isn’t spiritual at all. It’s just common sense. I’m totally into the law of attraction. I love authors like Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer. The book “The Power of Now” changed my LIFE. So has meditation and Gabrielle Bernstein. I love and respect you no matter your metaphysical affiliation.
- I refuse to apologize for swearing like a sailor if and when I fucking feel like it. I’m not sorry that I’m not sorry. Curse words crack me up and add so much spice to my life that I’m just not willing to live without them. This is who I am, damnit.
- I refuse to apologize for driving like a grandma. I like speed limits and follow them to a T. Cruise control is a godsend. Stop tailgating me. It won’t make me go any faster.
- I refuse to apologize for changing my mind approximately every 5 seconds. I’m curious. I question everything. This inevitably leads to constant changes and lifestyle experiments. Some days I want to own 33 things and travel the world. Other days I want about 1000 things and to cozy up at home and never leave again. I think there’s something fundamentally wrong with people who speak in absolutes. Nothing is absolute. Give yourself the space to choose as you please! THAT’S FREEDOM.
- I refuse to apologize for talking a lot. Hello? I’m an extrovert! Talking is my ENERGY SOURCE. I’m all about becoming a great listener, and understand the importance of silence, but I get so much joy from talking to people. I just love it. And I’m not sorry.
- I refuse to apologize for wanting to be rich. Yep, I’d really, really like to be a millionaire one day. I refuse to feel guilty or selfish about this. That’s just bad money juju.
The thing I will always apologize for:
- Disrespecting another person. I do my best not to act disrespectfully. I feel that as long as I’m not hurting anyone else I’m perfectly safe to be/do/have whatever the hell I want in life.
What parts of your personality have you been hiding?
What about you do you hide from your closest friends?
Who would you be if you could run away and be whomever you wanted?
Make a list of things that you’ll stop apologizing for!
And then STOP APOLOGIZING.
Nothing is less attractive to me than a person who says “sorry” all the damn time. Own it, babe!
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Thank you. I'm sitting in the airport and trying not to cry after reading this. I used to be unapologetically myself and got burned at work and in my personal life. I have to admit that my sassy-ness did cause unintended offense at times, so lack of self-awareness was part of the problem. BUT I tried so hard to do a 180 because I thought I must be a terrible person…I've lost myself. I turned into one of those people who tries to get everyone to like them and constantly apologizes, even if I know I'm not wrong. I really needed to hear this, so thank you again. Maybe I can grow up before it's too late! (p.s. The Power of Now changed my life, too!) xx
Excellent post! Everyone should be real and should not have to apologize for their feelings or beliefs. Ok, yes, we probably do have to be aware of what we are saying, or perhaps more to the point is how it is said. But if it is your truth and your blog why should you have to apologize.
I would like to second Karen's sentiment. What a well-timed post. Thank you so much for this today.
Love, love, LOVE this post!!! Such a great reminder to just be you and not be afraid to express yourself to the world. It's funny because my fiance and I were just talking about this today too! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
@ Karen – You're so so so welcome! It's hard to snap out of it and just say "FUCK EVERYONE ELSE", but it's absolutely necessary. Knock 'em dead!
@ Kendra – Yes. There's an art to communication (which is why I specialize in it, hehe).
@ Ava – Anytime, gorgeous!
@ Shannon – Love the cosmic timing!
A-freakin'-men.
That's all there is to say about this, because it is entirely perfect. 🙂
LOL, I love this post. This is totally me…thanks for putting the essence of me into words! Great job.
xo HMay
Gawd I love this – extroverts unite!
#TeamJacob 4 Life
My dream concert for 2014 is Katy Perry