Conformity made me ignore my inner child's wisdom.

On being you, self-actualized.

"No one can compete with you on being you"
- Naval

"Being You" is the process of becoming your most authentic self. It requires independent and curious thinking, creative expression, self-awareness, and growth and change. In theory, we are born with these qualities.
As we grow up, we are often taught to conform to the expectations of others. We are told to behave a certain way, to think a certain way, and to fit in. This can be a difficult process, and it can sometimes lead us to lose touch with our true selves.
Personally, I had to look hard to find my inner child after I had graduated from our various education systems and jumped into professional life with a "Masters in... Conformity".
👉 There's an awesome book about the role of education, how we conform to the same thinking, and why generalists are needed in today's specialized world - it's called "Range" by David Epstein*.
I learned - and grew dependent - on what others expect of me. Now, don't get me wrong, I like to observe others, am happily taking on advice I deem helpful and am behaving in ways that allow me to fit in well. BUT: I feel I am offering and receiving the most value when I dare to think, act, and be different. I am therefore celebrating the wisdom of my inner child.

From this lesson, I have based many principles, such as "Work that feels like play" in Creation, "Sexuality that's Yours" and "Exercise that excites" in Body and to "Cherish the Journey inwards, to "You" in Spirituality.

To grow further, I want to engage in more creative and expressive hobbies.

After all, Ralph Emerson said it beautifully:

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accopmplishment".
- R.W. Emerson

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