Being Truly Authentic…
By
Being “me” in public is always something that I have struggled with.
I could blame it on the adoption… and on my tremendous fear of rejection etc etc etc. But the simple fact is, that I have always had difficulty letting the real Tracie show through.
Maybe that is why I have such a desperate need to have at least a little bit of alone time each day, because… let’s face it… it was the only time I could let my guard down, relax, put away the masks and just “be”.
One of the most wonderful things about blogging has been the fact that I haven’t had to put on too many masks. I haven’t had to pretend who I am, or who I am not. Some people have made assumptions and that has reflected in comments or emails… and that’s bound to happen. We all see what we want to see… believe what we want to believe. But I have never lied. In fact, most of the time I have been brutally honest (and maybe even to my own detriment)… but I genuinely enjoyed the freedom to be honest that blogging gave me. It’s so much easier to bare your soul to the computer screen than face to face with someone.
And I don’t know if it is because of all I am going through right now. I don’t know if it is because I am getting older. But I’m just tired of life’s games. I don’t have the stamina for drama any longer. It’s exhausting pretending to be something I’m not…. someone I’m expected to be by others…. but someone who is not 100% authentically me.
So I’m not going to do that anymore.
I’m putting away my masks. My false personas. My pretend personalities. The part of me that participates in negativity, gossip, drama, poverty mentality… all that ridiculously unproductive stuff, that so many participate in…. that I have participated in, just to fit in…. just to feel accepted. I can’t do that crap anymore. I no longer have the energy.
I’m me.
And I am going to be me…. 100% me….. genuinely, unabashedly, unashamedly, unapologetically, proudly holding my head up high… ME.
So if you like me…. great!
If you don’t…. that’s cool to..
78 Comments
Great post!!
Thank you!!
You’re not going to suddenly admit you’re a racist transgendered anarchist are you? …snicker
Transgendered, no…. racists, NEVER. But anarchist.. actually..yes. Not in the way that you might be thinking. But I have long considered myself a spiritual anarchist. By which I mean, that if (in a perfect world, which we don’t currently live in), everyone lived according to spiritual principles… then there would be no need for government, no need for rules. We would all do what is right automatically. But I know that we all don’t live in that world. Some of us do though. I don’t obey rules because some outside authority put them there. I just do what I know in my heart is right.
Welcome “YOU”!
Nice to meet you
Hurray for you! xo
Thanks Judy xo
Tracey, you seem very easy to like! Be yourself. ;:-)
Spelled your name wrong…and then put a wink above the eyes…. oh well… I meant well…have a great rest of the weekend.
Freedom…..sail on Tracie! It’s a wonderful journey now.
Smooth sailing Stan
Tracie, I too, find that there is less need for the masks on the blog, and am very tired of them in real life as well.
So, welcome to the real you, I’m pretty certain in that I liked the masked version, I’m going to love the unmasked. YAY!!!!!!
I have already been pretty “unmasked” on the blog… it was mostly in real life I was talking about. But as much as I have always endeavoured to be honest on the blog… I fully intend to take it all the way. There have been things that I haven’t said because I was trying to be PC, or not to offend anyone. I would never intentionally offend anyone, but I am not going to hide my feeling either, just because someone might choose to be offended by them… (not sure I explained that very well at all). But I really do think that we ALL need to be a LOT more honest… and a lot less PC.
Concur, completely and absolutely.
I support you totally in unabashedly being totally, authentic you. Way to go girl. It takes too much energy to try and be who and what others think we should be.
You know… I have been physically tired for most of my life. I used to think it was because I just wasn’t born very physically strong. I have had all kinds of health issues for my entire life… but you know what… I am starting to think that a lot of it… has just been me giving away my power, giving away my energy, trying to fit into everyone else’s ideas of what and who I should be. Letting that go, I feel more energised already. Thanks Brenda xxoo
I understand what you’re saying. As I said, it takes a lot of energy to carry the burden of being other than who we are. It’s like lugging around cement blocks. I am delighted for you, I’m in your corner, and I send you love and hugs on your journey.
Oh so so so good, well said
can absolutely relate and I draw inspiration from your courage, you ROCK girl 
Awww…. you have made my morning!!! I live to inspire!!!
‘we would get along smashingly.
Hurray for you!
We already do
i will draw inspiration from this as i still wear masks, not so much in the blogging world but in real life for sure.
I have been wanting for years and years to let go of the masks, but have never had the courage before now. It just takes SO much more energy to hide who you ready are. People need to love you for who you are… or move on. Anyone who can’t see how AMAZING the real you is… isn’t worth having around anyway. Best of luck dear friend. xxoo
Very true and thank you! I’m so glad you’re feeling freer!
Thanks back at ya xxoo
xo
Good for you! Nobody should have to be someone else to be liked or accepted. They just need to find different friends, if that’s the case.
So true…. if you can’t accept me for who I am.. then move on… there are plenty of others who will, I say. Thanks Drew xxoo
Sorry Oz, but I’m gonna do it again. Ready?
FANFUCKINGTASTIC!!!
I love your authentic self and PC can take a flippin leap! Save the mask for halloween (do you have halloween? if not fagedaboudet)
love ya,
R
You are TOO funny!!!! Halloween is not a traditional Aussie holiday… but it is becoming more and more popular over here (mostly because the candy manufacturers are pushing it… I think).
And you certainly should never apologise for swearing to an Aussie… we are WAY less uptight about colourful language than most. It’s a way of life over here.
Love ya back
xxoo
You may have just done it again…. I think I might write a post about swearing…
Well good on ya then (did I use that right? lol )
Anyway, I have taken to every single Aussie I’ve ever met and couple I haven’t (yet) and would so love to go there but i’m a big baby and am afraid of the creepy crawlies. Otherwise I would!
Yes, the big H is being pushed and promoted for money….it’s all about selling candy and fixing teeth! What silly people we are.
xoxo
R
Australia has something like 9 out of the 10 deadliest snakes in the world. And boy do we know how to do spiders… and flies… and mosquitoes… bugs love it here. Probably cause it never get too cold.
Well geez Tracie, why don’t you just say “stay away from here you silly yankee”! Now, I’m gonna have NIGHTMARES! Have you READ my blog? Spiders? Really?
I am TERRIFIED of spiders myself… well the big one’s anyway.. gotten used to the small ones…. although it’s the small one’s that are poisonous.
And DON’T stay away… you MUST come for a visit. I am planning on coming to the US in about 12 months time.. I will come get you and bring you back here with me
If I have your word that your husband is not a ‘relocator’ but a stomper, then I’ll take you up on it. If the wee beasts are relocated, they just come back. And If I scream in the middle of the night….someone better come running w/a shotgun!
Don’t sweat it… he’s a stomper!!!
Congratulations … welcome to the “real” world. People are either going to like you or not and who really cares. The ones that don’t are not worth one nanosecond of your time or energy anyway. Those of us who do the right things just because it is the right thing , not because someone is watching, will attract others that live the same way. Why would anyone want someone else to like them if you are not being natural. You are a talented, inspiring person and “In the end everything will be OK, and if it’s not OK then it must not be the end.” (From the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel). Keep up the wonderful photo’s they are very inspiring. Tom
You are the second person to use that quote lately…. and I even used it myself to another person recently… it’s a KICK ARSE quote. And I totally agree with you. I have been more authentically myself on this blog than I usually ever am in public.. and you know what.. the friends I have met on the blog have been more accepting, more understanding, more supportive and more loving than the people who have had a physical presence in my life…. I think that says it all.
hugs Tom xxoo
We love you Tracie…..good to know that you don’t pretend to somebody else…..personally most think about Ann, the animal rescuer, but I have had a dark period in my life , and i doubt very much if I can write about it!:))))))
You don’t ever have to if you don’t want to. We have all been through dark stuff. I know I have. But that is the past and not where I am at now. And I know that there is SO much more to Ann than just animal rescuer… the light of your soul shines through all that you do… you couldn’t hide your inner beauty if you tried. xxoo
awesome post, we both kind of posted on the same subject. Putting yourself out there and letting people see the real you! you go girl!
I actually think there is a global shift toward being more authentic at the moment… the old ways aren’t serving us anymore and hopefully are falling away. Thanks for commenting
I like you lots!
I like you too
Beautiful written! That is what we all should do. you give inspiration!
Well giving inspiration is my goal
Thanks so much xxoo
Really awesome post Tracie!!
Thanks… that means a lot..
Good for you for not only shedding masks, but admitting that you wore them. After all, that is much better than those wearing them and embracing them.
You know… I never even stopped to pat myself on the back for admitting in public that I wore the masks. Now I come to think about it… that was quite brave of me
Except I don’t think I am alone in wearing them. I think everyone does, to one degree or another.
I agree that everyone has them, but in different degrees. Nonetheless, self-awareness is the important step!
Absolutely!!!!
We always have our shadows of the past but,, once acknowledging them, there’s no reason not to lock the shadow back in the past, where it came from.
Our shadows update as we progress. Ultimately one with our shadow,
You might enjoy the book,, ”The Tools’ which I enthusiastically recommend.
Thanks Dave… I will look it up.
<3 !
We’re on the same wavelength…You, me, and I hope millions of others! Bravo!
The great thing about masks is… you get to decide if and when they’re useful.
I hope millions of others drop the masks as well…. people never really think of it from the other side.. but do you really want someone in your life who isn’t being genuine with you? I wonder how many relationships we have in our lives that are built totally on false pretences.
It’s all about being “present” isn’t it? In order to be genuine, you have to be present. Especially as an actor–a place where one might suspect one of wearing a mask–being present is what the audience demands of you.
I’m guessing that’s what happens in your photography. No?
That’s exactly what happens in photography. Whenever I go somewhere to shoot, I take some moments to kinda just “feel” where I am, and like you say… to get present to where I am. People are always complimenting me on my “good eye”… but that only comes from really being in touch with your surroundings. I don’t know how anyone could be a good actor or photographer, unless they were truly present to the moment.
Thanks for the reminder of what’s really important about being human. It’s what I try to do in my work and in my everyday life. Try… and try again.
Best to you, Tracie Louise.
A very timely post from me. I came across this quote recently:
“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for something you are not” – Andre Gide
Yes… that is an excellent quote and excellent advise to live by. Thanks so much.
To live authentically. That is our great and sufficient ambition.
Yes it is. I’m not sure why society has discouraged that so much or made it so much more difficult than it needs to be.. But I intend to change that (in my own life at least). Thanks Thomas
Touché
I get what you mean. That fear of rejection is pretty powerful stuff. Keep up the great outlook, and I’ll keep reading (my own outlook being a little on the dark side lately) to help recharge!
I know what the “dark side” is ALL too well, but if you spend even a few moments each day actively looking for things to be thankful for, it can turn around pretty quickly. Thanks so much
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well said: you are you and for me you are fantastic being you!!! I’ve past that station myself…pretending being someone else…I still believe that is one of the reasons I’ve lost my job…yes it’s definite now…don’t feel sorry for me…in a way it’s a relieve and I see it like I’ve overgrown my bosses. Not that I feel better or something..but knowing what I know, telling them and believing their ego’s are to big to accept……something like that. I hope you understand what I’m trying to say. And WE WILL MAKE IT…one way or another…and I’m convinced there is something out there for the both of us xoxo
I feel that losing your job is just one old door closing, so that SO much better can come into your life. My hubby resigned his job yesterday, he doesn’t have a new one yet. My house is sold and I don’t know where we are going yet. My son is moving out next week. For the very first time in my entire life I am unable to call myself a pet owner…. it’s a lot of “ending”… but its all for a reason, and I strongly believe it is because a new life is waiting just around the corner, for both of us. Bigger and better things are on the way. Much love to you xxoo
Really helpful post….thanks! I’m plugging away at this idea….getting over having concerns about what others might be thinking about me, and just acting out of more authentic sense…….here’s as far as I’ve gotten…which, thankfully, is much further than I was a few months ago.. .http://pocketperspectives.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/i-just-dont-have-time-letting-it-go-shifting-to-positive/
I think your post was wonderful. I hope that many many more people will get onboard with this concept… the time for playing silly mind games is over.. it’s time to get Real!!