You belong!

Oh the power of authentic belonging…

I celebrated my birthday recently and had the gift of being with an incredible group of friends and family. It was an opportune moment to truly revel in the love I feel for and from others. This time prompted a thought about the essence of belonging. Throughout my life, I've often felt like an outsider— whether as the quirky kid, truly the worst athlete on the sports team, or even as an adult amongst colleagues. I used to think fitting in meant adjusting who I was: an oddly authentic act of wanting to please and appease! But through much trial and error, I’ve learned that true belonging is about embracing and celebrating our authentic selves, including our perceived differences and imperfections.

Here’s how you can cultivate a sense of belonging by being your true self:

1. Courageously Own Your Authenticity:

Whether it's the wrinkles that tell your story or the opinions that set you apart at work, own them. I’m constantly surprised by the amazing people I have found by showing my sensitive underbelly (I mean figuratively but I did shove on a bikini yesterday despite an urge to cover “imperfections”). Authenticity shines brighter than any attempt to blend in. The people who truly matter will appreciate you for who you are, not for who you try to be.

2. Build Empathetic Bridges: 

The ones who challenge you or seem different at first can often become your strongest allies. Approach these connections with empathy and openness. As you reveal your genuine self, you create space for others to do the same, building deeper, more meaningful relationships.

3. Stand Strong in Your Values:

In moments of pressure to conform, anchor yourself in your core values. True belonging is found when you stay true to your principles and align with those who share them. This alignment brings both fulfillment and a sense of community. When values don’t align, it can be a gift to expeditiously discover you are in the wrong room.

This birthday has reminded me of the joy and freedom that come from being unapologetically myself. Let’s celebrate our unique selves and find our true sense of belonging through courageous quirkiness and dedicated authenticity.