
This photo is from my shoot with Tree Of Life Photography, last year. I love the way he has edited this one, showing the different layers of me, all coming together as one. It popped into my head when I saw a Jetpack prompt recently, about a quote you live your life by. I speak a lot, here on the blog, about authenticity, and while I show up every day as me, I never really considered it a daily practise. Not until quite recently actually, when I was fan-girling over Brene Brown following a training day at work, that I discovered a remarkable quote of hers:
Authenticity is the daily practise of letting go of who we think we are supposed to be and embracing who we are.
It’s no secret I’m a big fan of Brene Brown and her work. I’ve cited her words on more than one occasion, my favourite possibly being Embracing Vulnerability. And she popped up in a post where I spoke about three books that have made an impact on me. The fact that I was introduced to her well into my journey with S, years after I started allowing myself to be authentic, is staggering. Considering that her extensive research projects mirror my own solo research.
She always pops up at the right time, for me.
And this quote, about authenticity being a daily practice, came onto my radar at just the right time. Recently things have been chaotic recently. (Note: chaotic =/= bad.) Things have been put on pause while I reconfigure my schedule, keep certain plates spinning. But now I’m settling into something of a routine. (Well, as near to a routine as you’ll find me!) As a result I’ve been able to pick up working on my kinky projects, sliding back into my sexy skin has had such a calming effect on me.
I felt, for a little while, like there may not have been room for her, Barefoot. But being Barefoot gives me more headspace, better emotional regulation. Being Barefoot is similar to the effect that running has on my soul. There is space for every aspect of me to show up daily, to practise authenticity on my terms. Not every facet of me, all at the same time, in the same room. That would be HIGHLY inappropriate!! But I’m a kinky minx inside, even if I’m a professional, a mum, a runner, or… on the outside.
People will see me through their own lens, which allows me to hide myself in plain sight. While I’m not going to be a rubber slut on the school run, my lack of self-shaming makes me a safe space for those who struggle with their own authenticity. Those who feel shame, who don’t know who they can talk to, whose inner workings make the act of living unbearable at times.
For better or worse!
Looking back over the last decade, I have met some incredible characters. And had many a surprise disclosure, surprising to them as much to me. Which reminds me, as I continue with the story behind the blog, you get to meet more of these wonderful people!
Click the lips to see what everyone else is sharing this week. Or follow this trail to my Sinful Sunday archives where you can find all of my past submissions.
From the story of how the barefoot sub became the woman she is today, to toy reviews, with a hefty dose of contemplation, a sprinkling of erotica and a LOT of nudity in between, you can be sure to find something to tickle your fancy at A Leap Of Faith.