authenticity

Covering up freckles, desires, or opinions, shame ricochets in different ways — there is, of course, that hollow footstep sound everywhere you go when you’re not entirely you . And who can blame you for holding back?

The risky, unfiltered joke you haven’t fully thought out, the undignified morning stretch upon waking up before you regain full... See more

The shamelessly charming people of the world, the ones that steal your glance upon the first interaction, is it all natural? Is it their outgoing flair? A witty tongue? Nonpareil storytellers, aren’t they? Or maybe they’re just hot? Not all charming people are created equal, and I’m inclined to believe it has nothing to do with the essence of a... See more

The charmers are okay with underselling themselves if that means being honest, and by virtue of allowing themselves to lose in the eyes of others, they end up winning over our hearts instead. It’s as if they’ve got nothing to prove, the opposite of method acting.

But there’s a line between imitation and authenticity. You can feel it in the way someone filters influence through themselves, instead of copying it whole. Real authenticity cant be copied. It can be attempted but everyones bullshit meters are way too fine tuned now adays which is a great thing.

A charming person is not one that glimmers but holds a mirror to your glow — a conversation with them makes you fall for them by making you fall for yourself.

I’d like to believe one’s public persona is largely informed by their private self — at the very least, it has to feel organic and true to us, otherwise we wouldn’t be so charmed and enthralled

. Brené Brown’s definition resonates the best: “the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing we are flawed and therefore unworthy of acceptance and belonging.”

To locate authenticity is to look shame dead in the eye first, which is a bone-chilling, lonely process. Where does it hurt to be you? You may not want the answer. I certainly don’t. But I know that my relentless willingness to face the worst of hardships yet a total embargo on looking within is hypocritical at best, especially when I’m telling you... See more

Every dream of somehow becoming “more appealing” to others has to be shattered — it’s something you can start doing as soon as you’re done reading this paragraph. It doesn’t require a change in your look, your intrinsic quirks, or occupation. Available to all, even the most silent of us, charm is a transient balance of honesty and curiosity. Where... See more