who am i?

this past week, i have found myself with more free time than normal, which means that i get to go back to some of my favorite hobbies, like writing my blog! one of my other favorite things to do when i have a little extra time on my hands is the read. basically i was doing some reading, when, when i came across the most powerful prompt...

"if you stripped away every title, role, or expectation others have placed on you, who would you be?"

this prompt truly put me in pause. it felt like the the busyness in my life just came to an immediate stop. everything finally slowed down for me to just sit there and be present with myself, and myself only.

growing up, and even now, i have always felt the need to be the best version of myself. whether it be through getting good grades, winning my sporting events, or having a leadership title for a club- i wanted to be the best i could possibly be. i wanted to make people proud of me and proud to know me.

when i first read this question, i had to sit down and process it. like i just said, i am very very proud of all of my accomplishments and titles, but that is not all i am. i am more than a scholarship certificate or homecoming crown or dance trophy. these objects do not define me. if i were to strip away every title and role and the expectation i have for myself to make others proud... what is left?

that is an answer only you can provide. personally, i think that everything is left. i think that i would be left with just grace- the most authentic and real version of her yet. without these titles is just the essence of who i am without external influences like social pressures, family and friend influences, and professional identities. it means peeling back these layers to get to know the true version of you, what makes you to your core.

the question of "who am i?" is a very tricky one to be asked. however, the discomfort is part of the process of self-discovery. it brings up the idea of freedom. who do you WANT to be? if there was nothing holding you back, who WOULD you be? what remains when you take and strip away the titles, expectations, and influences is who you are.

when someone asks me to tell them about myself, it is hard for me to do so without bringing up titles and things like that. however, i now know that i am more than that. i know that when i strip these things away i am grace. grace is a friend to all she meets. grace is someone who likes to have dance parties in the kitchen or gym or even in the rain. grace is someone who is the first to do carpool karaoke with her friends. grace is someone who wants to be more than a title. she wants to be herself and live her life to the fullest!

being yourself can be hard. the journey of self discovery is a very difficult one, but it is important to power through and get to know your amazing self too! remember you are more than a title. you are more than a role you get. you are more. remember that you are perfect just the way you are and to always give yourself grace:)