The Authentic You: Creating Yourself
November 17, 2011 in Quarter Life Crisis
A girlfriend and I have had this conversation multiple times over the past few months and I decided it was time to sit down with a teacup of liqueur muscat and assemble it into some kind of post.
One of the hardest pieces of the Quarter Life Crisis puzzle is figuring out WHO YOU ARE. Yes, you might know that you love photography, skinny cappuccinos and have a weakness for online shopping but who are we on a deeper level?
Now I’m not one to put people in boxes or give them labels, but sometimes when we’re trying to find out who we are, we do tend to stick them to ourselves.
A few years ago I firmly believed that I wanted to be a fashion writer. I loved beautiful clothes and styling and enjoyed blogging about new collections and trends. Being well presented and having and coveting nice things became such a big part of who I was – or who I thought I was. When I left my corporate day job to start my own creative business, everything shifted. I didn’t have the money to spend on beautiful sky-scraper heels and silk dresses. I started to focus on my health and feeling fulfilled and happy without material possessions and I didn’t recognise the girl I thought I was back then.
Then I thought I was more of a hippy health nut – but in reality I am no good at denying my body anything; whether it be sugar, meat, carbs or alcohol. I actually prefer to live in moderation, taking the healthy habits that invigorate and cleanse my body and mixing them with the pure pleasure of enjoying food.
One friend of mine thought she was a beauty blogger through and though and then moved on, deciding it was too superficial and energy sapping for who she really was. Another friend thought she thrived on the thrill of high stakes stress in a well-paid corporate job, but realised she was much happier working with people and food and therefore moved into hospitality.
I love the quote to the right (does anyone know the source?). We are constantly evolving and creating different versions of ourselves, taking pieces from each “identity” and becoming more and more comfortable with who we are.
So, what DO I know about myself?
- I thrive on inspiration and being involved with creative people
- I work much better when I have space (translation: I am a 25 hours a week girl, I don’t function on 60)
- I believe in having big dreams and stepping a little closer to them each day
- I love learning and trying new things as often as possible
- The things that matter most to me are my relationships and my health
- I take a lot of pleasure in great food, friendships and travel
- I measure my success in many different ways, least of all by my bank account.
I like this post a lot. I feel like I’m still in the process of getting to what i really want to do or be in life. However, over the last year or so, I feel like I have grown a lot by creating the circumstances that help me be creative (which is why i love the quote so much). It really is about learning who you are and then turning that knowledge into constructive acts that make you grow further.. :)
Thanks Marielle. It is definitely a process but you’re right about turning knowledge into action. I think we should enjoying growing and developing as people, it’s a pretty amazing journey! Thank you for stopping by! xx
So I have let your posts pile up in a direct folder in my email inbox labelled “kims beautiful blog” and have finally got around to reading some of them. Firstly, why are you so awesome? Secondly, you have become one of my indulgences in life. This blog post is so good. You have a way of putting life into perspective, so inspirational and simple, Kim. I think I may have to clone you and have my very own Kim personal assistant to deal with my life in general. xox
Sarah, you are such a sweetheart. This comment had me smiling for hours! I am so touched that the blog is one of your little indulgences and I hope top continue to inspire you through it. If cloning is ever a possibility, you are welcome to my cells. ;) xx