Being yourself

I quit drinking about three years ago.

Not for any specific health reason.

Somehow, through my 20s, I slowly lost the enjoyment of alcohol.

I stopped enjoying the taste. It affected my sleep. I had a splitting headache the next morning.

After reflecting, I realised that I used to force myself to drink out of social pressure.

It wasn’t that other people were forcing me to drink. It was the pressure I put on myself. Somehow, I felt I would not be as fun if I stopped drinking or that I would be mocked for not drinking.

Then, one day, I went out with friends at night and refused a drink. Nothing happened.

I had a great night. No one said anything. I didn’t have to explain myself more than “I feel sick when I drink” or “It affects my sleep”.

It felt so liberating.

We each do things because they are socially expected of us, or we THINK they are socially expected of us. What if they aren’t, and we prioritise just being ourselves instead?

Today’s Prompts

1 - Being yourself

List three things I do because of societal pressure. How would life change if I stopped?

What do you fear most about being your authentic self?

2 - Quote of the day

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." – Oscar Wilde

3 - The 'If you don’t have time’ Prompt

What’s one small step you can take to live more authentically?

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

I’d love your feedback

What was your favourite prompt of the day? Is there any specific challenge you want prompts for? How can I improve the content of the newsletter? Reply this mail and let me know!