The Power of Authenticity
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Contributed by Stephanie Staples at Your Life Unlimited
“Be yourself – not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” – Henry David Thoreau
I have a belief.
It’s personal.
I don’t know if it’s right or wrong.
I don’t know how to test it.
It may seem shallow, but here it goes…
At the end of January, to raise money for our local hospital, I shaved off my long brown hair. The good news is we raised over $8000 with just that one haircut, the other news is that I was left with stubbly regrowth that came out…wait for it…grey!
Years of coloring had fooled me into thinking I was still a brunette when, in fact, I’m pretty salt and peppery. Damn.
It was one thing getting used to seeing myself in the mirror with very little hair for months, but it was quite another to see this short-haired, grey-haired G’ma in the mirror day after day.
The truth is I’m an outdoorsy, active, island girl and it’s all I can do to get out of leggings and put on some nice clothes and make-up to get on stage, so the simplicity of the short hair (and cost savings, health benefits, hassle factor etc) and not dying it was pretty easy to get used to.
But – I still work, and I have this belief that I should dye my hair because of my job, because it will make me look younger, because I believe there is ageism in my industry (especially toward women), because I believe I will get hired less.
I know that with dyed hair I won’t look 40. As a comedian once said, ‘I don’t know why people won’t tell us how old they are? We can see you, you know!”
The Courage to Be Authentic
But here’s the thing—whether I dye my hair or not, the real issue is about embracing authenticity. It’s about recognizing that who we are, at any age, is valuable. The world tries to tell us that youth equals worth, but deep down, we know that’s not the whole truth. Experience, wisdom, and authenticity carry their own power, a power that doesn’t fade with time.
So, as I stand in front of the mirror, facing this new version of myself, I realize that the choice isn’t just about hair color. It’s about choosing to show up as my true self, embracing every grey strand as part of my story. It’s about standing in my own power, knowing that what I bring to the table isn’t defined by how young I look but by how confidently I own who I am.
Now…your life, your version, your plan…
Embrace Your Authentic Self
Challenge Your Beliefs: Like my belief that I need to dye my hair to stay relevant in my industry, what beliefs are you holding onto that might be limiting you? Question them, examine where they come from, and consider whether they truly serve you.
Embrace Your Uniqueness: Whether it’s grey hair, wrinkles, or any other sign of life lived fully, embrace it. These are badges of honor that tell the story of who you are and the experiences that have shaped you.
Stand in Your Power: Your worth isn’t tied to how young you look, but to the skills, wisdom, and authenticity you bring to the world. Own that power, and let it guide you in your personal and professional life.
Be an Example: By embracing your authentic self, you set an example for others to do the same. You give others permission to show up as they are, without feeling the need to conform to societal pressures.
A New Perspective
As a motivational speaker, I’m constantly encouraging others to step into their power, to live authentically, and to embrace who they are at every stage of life. And now, I’m taking my own advice.
Whether I decide to dye my hair or keep it natural, the real choice I’m making is to value myself for who I am, not just for how I look. If I colour my hair, I want it to be because I want to dye it, not because I think I should.
So, as you go about your day, I encourage you to reflect on your own beliefs and ask yourself: Are they helping you step into your true self, or are they holding you back? And if they’re holding you back, what can you do to change that?
Let’s choose to live authentically, embracing all that we are, and inspire others to do the same.
AND…this quote is so good, that I’m going to put it in again! Steph
“Be yourself – not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” – Henry David Thoreau
