Permission to be You 101

Today's powerful topic: Permission to Be You. This is the foundational key to unlocking everything you want in life. When you give yourself permission to be 100% yourself, everything changes—your relationships, your success, your emotional well-being, and your connection with the world.

Why Permission to Be You is Vital

Sometimes, we feel the weight of the world telling us who we should be or what we should do. But the truth is, we cannot be anyone else. It sounds simple, but society has conditioned us to believe that we need to mold ourselves to fit into certain boxes. Growing up in my own home, it wasn’t okay to express anger or even be seen. I learned that my needs didn’t matter. I had to make myself invisible to be “good.”

For a long time, I was trapped in that conditioning. It took me years to realize that in order to thrive, I had to allow myself to be me, all of me. Not the version that tried to appease others, but the version that was unapologetically authentic. It’s only when you embrace who you are at your core that your true potential starts to shine.

The Struggle of Unseen Needs

When you're unseen, when your voice is unheard, it’s easy to fall into feelings of not mattering. That’s exactly how I felt for many years. But here's the thing—you matter. Your existence matters, your needs matter, and your voice matters. In order to step into the fullness of who you are, you have to take stock of who you are at your best, and yes, at your worst.

Take a moment—right now—grab a piece of paper and start your "Who Am I?" list. Write down who you are when you're at your best, when you're fully aligned with your true self. Do it honestly. Write about your generosity, your kindness, your humor, your intelligence, and your intuition. Now, write down how you are when you're at your worst. It’s okay to acknowledge that, too. But don’t stop there. Focus on your best qualities.

The “I Am” List

One of the most powerful things I’ve done for myself and my clients is to create an “I Am” list. At first, it can feel silly—like, how can you just say, “I am amazing”? But the truth is, you are! You have qualities, gifts, and strengths that you may not even fully recognize yet. Write down everything you are—and yes, be brave enough to believe it.

For example, I knew deep down that I was someone with limitless potential. I just hadn’t acknowledged it yet. I also knew I was a true enthusiast, full of optimism, energy, and light. Write down the qualities that resonate with your soul. If you find yourself writing down things you don’t quite believe yet, keep them on the list. With practice, they’ll become truths you live by.

Aligning with Your True Self

Next comes the crucial part: alignment. This is where the magic happens. When you align with the things on your list, life starts to flow effortlessly.

For example, I am a naturally enthusiastic person. But when I was raising my five kids, I fell out of alignment with that enthusiasm. I was too tired, too overwhelmed.

But then, I had a moment in a dressing room where I looked at myself in the mirror and realized something crucial: I wasn’t living in alignment with my true, enthusiastic self.

Instead of beating myself up, I chose a different path. I decided to be enthusiastic in spite of the challenges. Enthusiasm, to me, meant taking action, moving forward, and embracing the small wins. It meant waking up at 5 a.m., pulling on my workout clothes, and running—not because I had to, but because I chose to align with what felt good.

The Power of Choice

Here’s the deal: choosing yourself is the most powerful thing you can do. It’s not about impressing others or doing what society tells you is the “right” thing. It’s about doing what resonates with your true, authentic self. If you don’t feel aligned, you’re not being you, and that will always cause internal conflict.

When I decided to align with my enthusiasm, even on my most tired days, I found joy in the process. And I saw real results—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.

I was living in alignment with who I truly am, and it made all the difference. That’s why I lost eight dress sizes in six months—not because I was punishing myself with diets or endless workouts, but because I was living as my authentic self.

Removing Resistance

Now, let’s talk about resistance. Resistance shows up when you’re not in alignment with who you are. For me, resistance used to look like emotional eating and procrastination. I would overeat or waste time because I didn’t feel worthy of change. But here’s the kicker: when I started to align with my true self, I stopped resisting. I found new ways to work with my body, my emotions, and my energy, without forcing anything.

If you catch yourself resisting, ask yourself: What’s going on? What’s causing you to feel out of alignment? Sometimes, it’s fear. Other times, it’s a deep-rooted belief that you don’t deserve the best. But you do. You have to start living from a place of belief and self-love.

The Road to Permission

You’re not going to be able to fully step into who you are until you give yourself permission to be you. Nobody else can grant that permission. Not your parents, not your spouse, not your boss—only you. You need to give yourself permission to be authentic, to make mistakes, to have flaws, and to live fully.

When you do, you’ll stop seeking external validation. You’ll stop questioning your worth based on others’ opinions. You’ll just be you, and that’s the most powerful thing you can be.

Final Thoughts

So, I leave you with this: Give yourself permission to be fully you. No more hiding, no more pretending. Embrace your quirks, your passions, your strengths, and yes, even your weaknesses. They are all a part of your beautiful, authentic self.

Take time to align with your true identity. It’s the only way to unlock your full potential and step into a life that feels fulfilling and true to who you are.

If you're unsure about where to begin, I’m here to support you. You can always email me at teresafordcoaching@gmail.com for guidance.

Now, go ahead—give yourself permission to be YOU! Take action. The world needs you. And the best version of you is waiting to show up.

Note: You can access the full blog content in audio versions on Spotify and YouTube. Happy listening! 🎧 

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