Facing Ourselves: Brutal Truths

Written By Alyssa

In a world where wellness trends change at a blink of an eye, where the presence of information can blind us, what does it mean to truly care for ourselves?

Some will say a holiday or a massage can resuscitate wellness back into our lives. 

I beg to differ, or to challenge, I believe that there is no perfect recipe, but one that is personally aligned with ourselves and our core values.

However, we may need to be brave to be unapologetically honest with ourselves because without such honesty, how can we truly know who we are, what makes us tick, what energizes us, pushes us or truly brings us joy?

Without such honesty we can’t create the boundaries that are necessary to live an authentic and intentional life.

For instance, I gravitate towards relationships that are built on unapologetic honesty and transparency. Those who are unafraid of hard conversations; who call us out and ultimately show us love in our darkest moments. 

What many forget is to construct this unapologetic relationship with ourselves, to have those difficult conversations about what is best for us and for our future.

What choices propel us forward to our true intended paths?

This is where honesty becomes essential. 

Confronting the truth can be difficult, especially when we realize our life isn’t where we hoped it would be. Sometimes, we find ourselves sitting on the sidelines, waiting for our moment to finally step into the game.

This isn’t an invitation for harsh self-criticism, but rather a moment to take honest inventory; to recognize what areas of our lives are in alignment or going well, and what areas aren't.

Without this kind of honesty, we cannot build awareness towards ourselves and where we’d like to be.

First of all, unapologetic honesty. 

This is where self-awareness begins. But once we’ve arrived at that awareness, where do we go from here?

The truth we uncover about ourselves becomes a foundation for better choices, ones that move us forward with intention.

Take a simple example: if I want to eat healthier, I need to exercise some discipline. Or better yet, I can set gentle boundaries, like committing to cook more often, exploring new recipes, and maybe even deleting all those tempting takeaway apps from my phone.

Discipline can feel like a heavy word, strict, even intimidating. That’s why we might lean into “boundaries” instead, a softer, kinder sister.

One of the most overlooked boundaries is the way we speak to ourselves. Our inner dialogue shapes the stories we tell and, in turn, constructs the reality we experience.

Language isn’t just communication, it’s the lens through which we see ourselves and the world around us.

Therefore we should be enforcing that we speak to ourselves with more kindness and compassion.

Once we begin cultivating self-awareness, we don’t just uncover our dreams, we also illuminate our values which becomes a compass, helping us define our dreams and reimagine what truly living well looks like. 

Awareness also shows us what we’re ready to leave behind. 

Whether it’s outdated coping mechanisms that once protected us, friendships we’ve outgrown, or long-held beliefs we clung to, convinced there was no other way.

So here’s a gentle challenge: look yourself in the mirror and be radically honest.

Because sometimes, the smallest step is the first real move toward becoming fully, authentically you.