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Embracing Authenticity. Do you live in Fear of being found out as “less than”? Or do you scroll through social media experiencing FOMO?
Deep down, many of us have had the feeling that we don’t belong and we go through some pretty drastic measures trying to fit in and avoid the “yucky” feelings. Surveys indicate that upwards of 80% of adults in the U.S have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. That is to say, almost everyone feels the same way at one point or another.
The journey towards genuine self-representation was explored in a recent episode of Sober Life Rocks with guest Loren King, who shared her personal narratives of confronting and overcoming the societal norms and facing down her shadow self.
They discussed how this leads to a life where you put on a mask to fit in, thus creating an unavoidable feeling of imposter syndrome – and the alienation from self that arises from living behind a facade.
”For me, when they talk about imposter syndrome, it’s like ‘No!’, I was the imposter master. But when I got sober, I didn’t even know who I was because I had been living my entire life with a mask. I didn’t even know how I felt, because anytime that I’d ever had a feeling, I just drank it away.” – Margy Schaller
Loren King suggests a different way. When we embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections, we can actually forge more meaningful and relatable bonds. This acknowledgment of our shared human experience is particularly relevant in the context of networking and attending conferences, where the pressure to present a polished, unflappable version of ourselves is amplified.
When asked about the social media highlight reels and the fomo of after-hours events, Loren said,
“what you see on the surface level is just that it’s surface level, and everyone’s trying to survive, and everyone is trying to do their job and keep the lights on and take care of their family and speak on stages and be on the road. And that’s a lot on one human being. That is a lot on your nervous system. That’s a lot of cortisol running through someone’s body”
The pursuit of authenticity is, at its core, a radical act of self-love and courage. It is a commitment to showing up as we are, without the armor of alcohol, and engaging with the world from a place of vulnerability and strength. As Schaller and King’s journeys illustrate, the path to authenticity is not devoid of challenges, but it is rich with the potential for deeper connections, personal growth, and the joy of truly belonging to oneself.
Embracing Authenticity. What if there was another way? What if you could choose other Fs by being who you are and finding your voice. What if you engaged in genuine conversations where you found out others feel the same way as you, and learned that others are looking for a sense of belonging and community? The pursuit of authenticity, especially in professional settings and personal explorations (like traveling to conferences) presents both a challenge and an opportunity, one that we are tackling head on.
Our podcasts are more than a discussion about how much we do or don’t drink, they are exploring our human journey to connection and community. You can see that theme in our popular podcast episode with Chris Marshall and his creation of Sans Bar. Sans Bar represents a physical manifestation of the shift towards authenticity, providing a blueprint for how professional events and social gatherings can foster genuine human connections without the crutch of alcohol.
Embracing Authenticity, Embracing sobriety or a sober curious lifestyle in professional settings, such as conferences, does not have to mean foregoing networking opportunities or facing them with dread. Instead, it offers a canvas for reinventing these experiences. Pre-networking, engaging in sober community forums like Sober Life Rocks, or simply setting intentions for authentic interactions can transform the way we approach these events. It encourages us to seek connections based on shared interests, values, and genuine curiosity about the people we meet.
Embracing Authenticity, This shift not only brightens our own worlds but also illuminates the spaces we inhabit, encouraging a more inclusive, authentic way of being in professional and personal realms. The question that remains for us is, are we ready to embrace the mirrors of our souls and step into the authenticity that is celebrated in communities like Sober Life Rocks?
If you answered “Yes!” – we’re waiting to welcome you. [click here]
Sober Life Rocks has been busy compiling a list of every dental conference across the country so members can indicate which ones they are attending and be connected in event-specific Voxer groups before, during and after the meeting! Want to get connected? Become a member today!
…read more
The post Embracing Authenticity: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Finding True Fulfillment Without Alcohol first appeared on Sober Life Rocks.
By Sober Life RocksEmbracing Authenticity. Do you live in Fear of being found out as “less than”? Or do you scroll through social media experiencing FOMO?
Deep down, many of us have had the feeling that we don’t belong and we go through some pretty drastic measures trying to fit in and avoid the “yucky” feelings. Surveys indicate that upwards of 80% of adults in the U.S have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. That is to say, almost everyone feels the same way at one point or another.
The journey towards genuine self-representation was explored in a recent episode of Sober Life Rocks with guest Loren King, who shared her personal narratives of confronting and overcoming the societal norms and facing down her shadow self.
They discussed how this leads to a life where you put on a mask to fit in, thus creating an unavoidable feeling of imposter syndrome – and the alienation from self that arises from living behind a facade.
”For me, when they talk about imposter syndrome, it’s like ‘No!’, I was the imposter master. But when I got sober, I didn’t even know who I was because I had been living my entire life with a mask. I didn’t even know how I felt, because anytime that I’d ever had a feeling, I just drank it away.” – Margy Schaller
Loren King suggests a different way. When we embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections, we can actually forge more meaningful and relatable bonds. This acknowledgment of our shared human experience is particularly relevant in the context of networking and attending conferences, where the pressure to present a polished, unflappable version of ourselves is amplified.
When asked about the social media highlight reels and the fomo of after-hours events, Loren said,
“what you see on the surface level is just that it’s surface level, and everyone’s trying to survive, and everyone is trying to do their job and keep the lights on and take care of their family and speak on stages and be on the road. And that’s a lot on one human being. That is a lot on your nervous system. That’s a lot of cortisol running through someone’s body”
The pursuit of authenticity is, at its core, a radical act of self-love and courage. It is a commitment to showing up as we are, without the armor of alcohol, and engaging with the world from a place of vulnerability and strength. As Schaller and King’s journeys illustrate, the path to authenticity is not devoid of challenges, but it is rich with the potential for deeper connections, personal growth, and the joy of truly belonging to oneself.
Embracing Authenticity. What if there was another way? What if you could choose other Fs by being who you are and finding your voice. What if you engaged in genuine conversations where you found out others feel the same way as you, and learned that others are looking for a sense of belonging and community? The pursuit of authenticity, especially in professional settings and personal explorations (like traveling to conferences) presents both a challenge and an opportunity, one that we are tackling head on.
Our podcasts are more than a discussion about how much we do or don’t drink, they are exploring our human journey to connection and community. You can see that theme in our popular podcast episode with Chris Marshall and his creation of Sans Bar. Sans Bar represents a physical manifestation of the shift towards authenticity, providing a blueprint for how professional events and social gatherings can foster genuine human connections without the crutch of alcohol.
Embracing Authenticity, Embracing sobriety or a sober curious lifestyle in professional settings, such as conferences, does not have to mean foregoing networking opportunities or facing them with dread. Instead, it offers a canvas for reinventing these experiences. Pre-networking, engaging in sober community forums like Sober Life Rocks, or simply setting intentions for authentic interactions can transform the way we approach these events. It encourages us to seek connections based on shared interests, values, and genuine curiosity about the people we meet.
Embracing Authenticity, This shift not only brightens our own worlds but also illuminates the spaces we inhabit, encouraging a more inclusive, authentic way of being in professional and personal realms. The question that remains for us is, are we ready to embrace the mirrors of our souls and step into the authenticity that is celebrated in communities like Sober Life Rocks?
If you answered “Yes!” – we’re waiting to welcome you. [click here]
Sober Life Rocks has been busy compiling a list of every dental conference across the country so members can indicate which ones they are attending and be connected in event-specific Voxer groups before, during and after the meeting! Want to get connected? Become a member today!
…read more
The post Embracing Authenticity: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Finding True Fulfillment Without Alcohol first appeared on Sober Life Rocks.