”You’re being presented with two choices; evolve or repeat.”

In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety. Each time we’re faced with a challenge it’s very easy to become caught up in thoughts about everything that could go wrong, instead of being excited about everything that could go right. This mindset is to a certain extent completely natural, and our bodies and minds way of keeping us from danger, hence keeping us from stepping into the unknown.

To fully embrace oneself, and to accept oneself exactly as one is, is a lifelong journey in and of itself. To some of us it might come naturally, without us even thinking about it. However, to others it takes a deeper kind of practice – something that needs to be nurtured daily.

It’s difficult to not become caught up in the demands of the outside world; constantly comparing ourselves to others, or simply never being satisfied with who we are.

As a highly sensitive empath I fell into the people pleasing mentality rather early in life. I always wanted others to like me, and usually I was afraid to speak up because I never wanted to upset anyone, or then I thought – ”Who am I to even speak up?” Whenever I found myself in a relationship I always put the other person’s needs above my own, completely forgetting about what I really wanted out of the relationship. I seriously thought that it made me into a kinder, more compassionate human. And while it’s necessery to care for others and their needs, it never calls for us to forget about our own needs.

In a way this people pleasing mentality can be seen as something rather natural, since at the end of the day we humans want to feel connected to one another. However, personally I needed to learn that I can still connect with another human being without me having to lose myself in the process. It’s when I’m deeply connected with myself that I connect with the people I’m meant to connect with.

”I know what I bring to the table. So trust me when I say I am not afraid to eat alone.”

– Unknown

Learning how to set healthy boundaries was very discomforting to me. In the beginning I felt completely lost, since it didn’t come naturally to me. I really needed to learn how to incorporate new, healthy habits into my life. The habit of speaking up for myself, and for seeing my own worth.

And we all know that creating and forming new habits do not usually happen over night. It requires attention and dedication, each and every day.

This is an ongoing journey that needs my fullest attentiveness, however, I’ve already come so far. Now I know that I don’t have to please anyone, but myself. I’m allowed to be exactly who I am, as long as I don’t harm myself or any other sentient being. I’m allowed to speak up about things important to me. I’m allowed to say no. I’m allowed to just be. And you are too. You’re allowed to be your most authentic self. You’re not obligated to explain yourself to anyone, you’re allowed to just be.

It’s when you fully embrace all of you that the people who are meant to be in your life will come to you. You don’t need to force a connection, it just flows, cause you’re vibrating at the same frequency.

What does leveling up mean to you? How does it make you feel? And who does it make you wanna be?