A Trip Back in Time ~ The Joy of Being Authentic

I recently had the opportunity to spend time with people I haven't seen in almost a decade.  I was extraordinarily apprehensive about this trip.  I left and had no idea how I would be received when I returned.  I wasn't concerned about people being mean or anything.  I was more concerned that people would think I ceased to be relevant.

Let me explain.  I spent 12 of the almost 17 years I lived in NYC working in fashion PR and special events.  It was a very exciting and rewarding time for me.  It taught me a lot.  I met a lot of amazing people and traveled to exotic locals.  It was really awesome.

However, the other thing that happened was completely internal.  Working in an industry that is based on what you look like, who you are wearing and if you're on the "right" invite list can be difficult to demoralizing.  A strong belief in who you are and what you're about it vital.  I thought I had this until I left.

It was then that I realized that I was not at all happy with who I was.  I had no idea what I was about.  And I spent so much time comparing myself to others that I never gave myself credit for being  awesome.  So part of the reason it took me so long to go back is because I didn't want to feel bad about myself again.

I want to interject here that how I felt about myself is NOT the fault of the fashion industry.  My parents gave me great amounts of love and never made me feel as though there was anything wrong with me.  I had great friends.  I wasn't anything more than an awkward perfectionist.  It was vital for ME to look at MYSELF with love to know that everything was perfect just as I was.

In fact, there is no blame to place.  It was my journey to come to the understanding that I am the perfect embodiment of Robyn Vie-Carpenter.  Each triumph and tragedy, each hurt, each joy, everything that has happened to me, is just what was "supposed" to happen.  My body, my hair, my face, my weight, everything about me is perfect.

When I was faced with seeing these people, being in this environment that I had spent so much time living in before, I had fear.  It didn't last long.  I am no longer in the same place I once was.  I have learned how to release my fears by understanding why I have them.  Once I was able to remember the joy, I was able to let go and really enjoy my time.

I loved the parts that I always loved and let go of the parts that didn't serve me.  I was able to connect to the place within me that is my authentic self.  My real inner light and joy.

The pleasant surprise was how my "new" authentic me was received...everyone loved me!  I was complimented on how I looked, regardless of how "fashionable" my appearance was.  I talked about joy and energy.  I gave away stones and talked about our perfect selves.  If I had put up a tent next to the ones that fashion week is held in, I could have signed several new clients.

It was an incredible lesson on living life as our authentic selves.  People will accept you, just as you are, as long as you do.  Remember this the next time you are down on yourself about what's not "right" about you.  The only person that sees you like that is you.  When you change your view of yourself, that's the one that people will reflect back to you.

Be authentic, love yourself, live your joy!

Joyfully yours,

Robyn