Do you let yourself be multi-layered?

I think that one of the greatest, most generous gifts we can give to ourselves is to allow ourselves to be multi-layered, to remain in exploration and evolution of our own width, depth, and height. To give ourselves space to change our minds and decisions and remain curious.

I used to always search and want for things that would give me definition so I could feel a solid sense of belonging. I thought I would “find myself” that way.

The problem was that whenever I thought I had found a definition, I felt restricted, boxed in, and confined. I wanted to break free and run to the other side of whatever definition I had chosen. When I felt like I had chosen a definition and had to stick with it, I soon got bored and rebelled.

Ultimately, I had to learn that I’m most at home in who I am when I feel free, defined but only loosely, always exploring another layer of my being, my interests, my thoughts. I want the freedom to love and enjoy opposites, to understand contrasting philosophies, to empathize with different paths and choices and people.

And that’s my focus and goal now: to find that freedom that exists in having many layers.

Do you let yourself be multi-layered? Or do you feel like you had to choose and define yourself? Often this definition is given to us by our families, our communities of origin, our friendships. Think about if you can be multi-layered in anything ranging from how you choose to dress, look, think and speak to where you chose to live, what you work with, and who you chose to marry/ date... is there space for you to be multi-layered, to explore another side of you and what you like?

Do you allow your spirit the freedom to wander, sample new things, and evolve?

Love,

Caroline