Courageously Living Life Made Me Proud

Most of us are taught that loving ourselves and making ourselves a priority is selfish. It takes courage to step into who I truly am and embrace what I truly want. Prioritizing myself feels unfamiliar and, at times, wrong—because it’s so different from what I’ve always known. Yet, what I know for sure is this:

When something brings you joy, happiness, and a sense of purpose, it’s your internal compass—your authentic self—signaling that you’re on the right path.

If that’s true, and I believe it is, then exploring life from this place of alignment can only lead to favorable outcomes.

Why does this take courage?

Why does this take courage? Because stepping into a new vibration challenges the ego. The ego tries to hold us back, protecting us from pain, loss, disapproval, or dissatisfaction. It clings to the familiar, even when the familiar no longer serves us. It says things like, “You don’t know yourself that way” or “you may get hurt again doing that.” I am keenly aware of the negative self-talk my ego feeds me, insisting that what I’m doing is wrong or won’t be accepted by others. Yet, what I know for sure is that it takes courage to explore life, challenge the beliefs we’ve clung to, and be curious about where new ways of thinking and acting might lead. For me, the fear of appearing different or stepping into the unknown is a barrier I’m learning to observe and overcome. 

I’ve also realized that when I operate from a vibration of “I’m supposed to,” I’m acting out of fear—fear of what others might think, fear that I’m not doing what I “should” be doing, or fear of being different or unliked. External expectations can feel overwhelming, and we’ve all been influenced by them at some point. True courage, however, comes from stepping into self-love and honoring my authenticity. My authentic self knows that I am lovable and deserving of joy and happiness. I believe we are so much stronger than what anyone else might think of us.

Recently, I heard something on the Mel Robbins Podcast: How to Create A New Version of Yourself (featuring Sarah Jakes Roberts) that profoundly resonated with me:

Most of us underestimate how necessary our existence is in the world. As a result, we resign ourselves, leaving the world less than what it could be. We take healing less seriously. We take our thoughts less seriously… Most people believe that life is random or based on coincidences. But if we were to tap into our full potential, we could quite literally change the world.

This perspective has stayed with me, reminding me of how essential it is to embrace the truth of who we are and to take our healing, growth, and impact on the world seriously.

Right now, I’m exploring something that requires significant courage. I’m discovering a new flow—one where my authentic self is in the driver’s seat. Criticism, whether external or internal, has no place in this equation. Establishing and moving into this space of authenticity feels joyful and empowering. That tells me I’m on the right path.

Here’s what courage looks like to me:

I feel a strong nudge to put myself out there and share what I’ve learned through my recovery journey. I feel called to help others uncover their true selves alongside me. Even as I write this, my ego whispers, “How can you help others when you still need help yourself?” This is an old and persistent message, but I know for sure it’s a lie.

That voice is powerful—it has the ability to hold me back, if I listen. But I understand now that it’s not the truth. What I’m observing is it’s simply another attempt by my ego to keep me in the safety of my comfort zone.

I don’t pretend to be an expert, nor do I claim to have all the answers or to have finished learning. Growth is an ongoing journey, and I believe we’re never “done.” The path to self-actualization is never “wrong”—especially when I stay connected to Source.

I now understand that my existence is necessary in this world and that my courage to heal and grow can inspire others to do the same.

This is me living my life in a way that makes me proud. And that takes courage.