So how do you know when you’re expressing your authentic self versus wearing a mask? For me, it comes down to where you’re anchored: in your heart or in your head.
When you’re in your head, you’re operating from the ego—shaped by layers of past experiences, traumas, and even ancestral patterns. Your ego’s job is to protect you, but its tools are often control, judgment, and fear. When you’re in your heart, though, you feel flow—a sense of calm, connection, and alignment. But the hardest part is recognizing which part of you is active in the moment.
If you’re overthinking, feeling the need to control, or experiencing tension in your body—chances are, your mind is leading. On the other hand, if you feel calm and present, you’re likely anchored in your heart. The first step to shifting from mind to heart is awareness. And here’s the truth: living authentically can feel foreign at first, especially if you’ve spent years—or even decades—surviving in fight, flight, or freeze mode.
The Nervous System’s Journey to Trust Calm
For many of us, calmness itself can feel unsafe. Think about that: we have to reprogram our nervous systems to believe that calm is not a warning sign of an impending storm. I’ve been there. I’m still there. I’m unwinding years of patterns, teaching my nervous system to trust that my heart is a safe place to lead from.
My Corporate Journey: Choosing Authenticity Over Masks
As I write this, I’m still navigating my own path. Right now, I’m working in the corporate world—a stark contrast to my 20+ years as an entrepreneur and small business owner. I don’t speak the corporate language, nor do I fit neatly into its culture. When I started this role, I had a choice: put on a mask and try to blend in or show up as my authentic self.
At first, I played it safe—quietly observing, testing the waters. When I was asked to share my perspective, I answered honestly, without filtering through a “corporate-approved” lens. It was terrifying. I didn’t know how my openness would be received. But something interesting happened: my vulnerability, anchored in my heart, was met with acceptance. Over time, my authentic self began to shine, and my colleagues started asking for my perspective more and more.
the art of authentic living
But even now, after 18 months, my ego still tries to protect me. After meetings where I’ve spoken from the heart, my inner critic pipes up, whispering fears of rejection and reminding me of all the ways I could fail. When that happens, I pause and coach my ego, asking it why it feels the need to keep me small. More often than not, the answer is fear of rejection—a fear that’s deeply rooted and completely valid.
Choosing Authenticity Despite Fear
Every day, I choose to show up authentically, knowing full well I might face rejection. But I’ve also come to trust that rejection isn’t a failure; it’s a redirection, a signal that it’s time to shift and realign with where my soul needs to be. The alternative—letting my ego lead and suppressing my authenticity—is no longer an option. It would misalign me with my purpose and undo the work I’ve done to live from my heart.
This journey isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Trusting your heart, coaching your ego, and leaning into vulnerability is how you align with your truest self. And when you show up as your authentic self, you create space for the world to meet you where you are—whether that’s in acceptance, growth, or redirection. Either way, you’re in flow, living in alignment with your soul’s purpose.
This is the path I’m on, and I’m here to walk it with you. Together, we’ll move from fear to flow, from ego to heart, and from the masks we wear to the truth of who we are.
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