We’re so used to performing.
Not necessarily on stages—but in meetings, on Zoom calls, at the school pickup line, with our partners, friends, or even on social media. It’s subtle. We smile when we’re hurting, say we’re “fine” when we’re unraveling, pretend we’ve got it all together when we’re quietly drowning in to-dos, doubt, or dreams we haven’t voiced out loud yet.
In this week’s episode of A Beautiful Fix, Jeanne Sparrow said something that really stayed with me: fearless authenticity doesn't mean you're fearless. It means you choose to show up as yourself anyway. Not the polished, performative version. The real one. The one with a full inner world, imperfect thought, a messy laugh, and a spirit that's been shaped by life.
There’s a cost to wearing the mask. It can isolate us. It keeps us from connecting, innovating, or getting the support we didn’t know we needed. And over time, it chips away at our energy and our sense of self. But here’s the beautiful truth Jeanne reminded me of: the moment you take off the mask, you don’t just feel relief—you give others permission to do the same.
So this week, let’s make a pact: when we’re tempted to perform, let’s pause instead. Let’s choose truth over polish, connection over control. Maybe that means saying, “I don’t know.” Or sharing the thing you’ve been holding back. Or simply letting yourself be seen—without filtering or editing.
Your invitation:
What mask are you tired of wearing? Where can you practice showing up 5% more honestly this week?
Here’s to the boldness of being beautifully, unapologetically human.
xoxo Tracy
P.S. Follow A Beautiful Fix: The Podcast to be the first to catch new episodes as soon as they drop.
