Funmi Sodunke: When Will You Really Be Yourself?

Have you allowed someone to stop you from being you? Are you hiding your gifts because of what others might say? Have you stopped working on a project because you weren’t sure how people would react to it?

I am asking these questions because I want to know if you have become a graveyard of ideas. I want to know if you have abandoned your dreams, because you were so scared of the naysayers.

The more we keep making decisions based on what people will say. The more we will stop ourselves from achieving our destinies.

That statement might sound a little extreme. But, consider this question for a second. Did you study your major in college because, others told you to? For many, the answer to that question is a resounding YES. However, let’s assume that decision was made at a younger age.

So, what about now? What is stopping you now that you are older from following your passion? Your dream to start sewing? To start a blog? A Youtube channel? Or applying for that job, you know will make your heart sing? Sometimes, we get so hung up on what others will say that we don’t make any move.

Don’t get me wrong, others people’s opinion especially if they are close to us, might be valuable. Their concerns might help us clarify our decisions. But, at the end of the day it is still your dream. Your choice.

I have been in that place where I was nervous to start something new. I considered what people will say about me having a blog. Will they think it was childish? A waste of time? I didn’t know.

Instead of letting that fear paralyzed me. I decided to think about it from a different point of view. What if I never start that blog? How will I feel about it, 20 years from now? Will I regret it?

The way I would feel if I didn’t pursue my dreams was enough reason for me to go for it NOW! Sometimes we allow what people will think or say stop us from even taking the first step. And we all know how important that first step is.

So, I finally made up my mind to be me. I told myself that I saw purpose in my writings. So, I went for it.

I chose to see purpose in me being me. I chose to become that courageous, passion and purpose driven person I knew I was on the inside.

I also want you to choose to be you. I want you to introduce your inner courageous, purpose and passion driven self to the person you are on the outside. Your choice will not only change you. It will affect your future generations and those around you.

And that is worth fighting for. That is worth you being you.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime