December 11th, 2024

Becoming Who I Want to Be

Hey friends,

I came across this quote by Socrates the other day, and it got me thinking:

“The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.”

At first, I was like, “Okay, Socrates, I get it—be authentic.” But the more I sat with it, the more I realized it’s not just about authenticity. It’s about alignment.

It’s about asking yourself: Am I showing up as the person I want people to see? And more importantly, Am I being that person, even when no one’s watching?

For me, this hits close to home. I’ll admit, there have been times when I’ve cared more about how I was perceived than who I actually was. I wanted people to think I had it all together, even when I was quietly falling apart. I wanted to appear confident, successful, kind, strong—but sometimes, I wasn’t living in a way that truly reflected those qualities.

And let me tell you, that disconnect? It’s exhausting. Trying to project an image that doesn’t match who you are deep down feels like carrying a heavy, invisible weight.

Here’s what I’ve learned, though: the best way to build a good reputation isn’t to curate an image. It’s to focus on who you are when no one’s looking. If I want to be known as kind, I need to practice kindness—not just in big, obvious ways, but in the quiet, everyday moments. If I want to be seen as confident, I need to show up for myself, even when it feels hard.

It’s about doing the work—not for applause or validation, but because it’s who you want to be.

And you know what? It’s not about being perfect. Nobody gets it right all the time. For me, it’s been about embracing the journey of becoming. About recognizing the gap between who I am and who I want to be—not with shame, but with curiosity.

What choices am I making today that bring me closer to the person I want to become? What habits, thoughts, or actions align with the reputation I want to build?

It’s not always easy. There are days when I mess up, when I fall short of my own expectations. But every time I choose to realign—to ask myself, What kind of person do I want to be today?—it feels like a step in the right direction.

So, here’s my takeaway: your reputation isn’t something you build like a resume. It’s something you earn by showing up as the person you want to be, over and over again, in big ways and small ones.

What about you? Who do you want to be? What’s one small way you can start showing up as that person today? Maybe it’s choosing to be honest when it’s easier to avoid the truth. Maybe it’s offering kindness, even when no one’s watching. Whatever it is, I’d love to hear about it. Let’s talk in the comments or send me a message.

Thanks for being here with me today. Let’s keep becoming the people we want to be—one step, one choice, one day at a time.

Until next time,
Marjoly 🌿