Embracing Authenticity Self-Acceptance

The photo here is from my wedding day, a day that truly felt like a dream come true. I remember asking my husband, “Do you wish I never had cancer? Does it scare you?” His response still moves me. He said, “I only regret not being there with you through it all. I want to be with you in all of your good times and support and love you through your hardest moments.” His words, spoken with such love and sincerity, reminded me of the profound gift I had been given in him.

In the past two weeks, I've had a revelation that's been nothing short of life-changing. I’m not sure where this newfound clarity will lead me, but I find myself smiling even amidst chaos and uncertainty. There’s a deep sense of peace, hope, and love settling in my heart. My husband and I just celebrated our 4th anniversary, and I know that marrying him was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s helped me reconnect with the real me, free from the weight of trying to please everyone else. With each year, I see myself more clearly, and it feels like healing.

For the first time, I’ve realized the need to truly grieve the part of my life I spent losing myself, letting fear control me. I was so caught up in trying to meet everyone’s expectations, fearing their disappointment if things didn’t go as they hoped. That constant pressure made me lose my authenticity for a long time, but now I see the importance of letting go of those burdens.

Even though temporary trials can cloud our self-perception, I am grounded in who I am. In these past few days, I’ve been reminded of the joy I deserve. It’s not always easy to embrace, but I finally feel like I’ve discovered the key to holding onto both joy and gratitude. I accept myself fully. I’ll never be anyone else, and no one else will ever be me—and that’s something I’ve come to love. I have amazing friends and family, but I won’t accept a distorted version of myself based on anyone else’s views. We all see things differently, and that’s okay.

I feel the same way I did when I was 16—goofy, brave, and curious. I liked that version of me. I believed in big dreams and even bigger love, and I knew I deserved both.

Tonight, it hit me so hard—maybe it’s the new year or the weight of my loss—but it made me realize how short life is, and how precious we are to each other. As I cried, it was the first time I felt happiness and sadness in the same breath. The lies I’d held onto started to fade away, replaced by something far more beautiful—God’s love. For the first time, I saw myself again. There were no more tears for a broken heart, for loss, or for loneliness. Fear had been replaced by peace.

I now realize I was never truly lost—I was just ignoring who I was all along. I’m not ashamed of my tears, my laughter, or my anger. I feel blessed to feel it all. I’ve been journaling and praying, and my heart feels full of love that can’t be contained. I feel free—no longer stuck—and I don’t need anyone’s approval. I’m no longer crushed by disapproval from others.

There’s still room for dreams, and the right to hope. You are so unique, and you don’t have to measure up to anyone else. You can’t, and that’s the beauty of it—there will never be another you. So, be great at being you!

I don’t want to lose this feeling, and I hope it reaches someone who’s been judged or criticized by their loved ones. If you feel pulled in different directions, unsure if you can please everyone, stop.

Pray, and be yourself. Grab a journal, write down everything you know about who you are, your dreams, your hopes. Take your time—days if needed. Your identity is waiting for you to embrace it. Go for what you deserve, live with love, and don’t judge others for being different. Use discernment, but always be true to yourself.