Just be you. That’s where the magic lies
Monday Musings
Here’s your mantra for the week! This week’s card is from my Cards for Creative Courage oracle deck. You can get it here or here, and you’ll get 25% off until the end of November!
I’ve been a coach for nearly a decade now. When I just started out, I was very concerned with people’s perception of me. Part of this had to do with my age at the time. Afraid that they might think I was too young to do this work, I tried to look and sound as professional as I could. Like I had all the answers and all of my shit together.
This created a distance between me and the work I do, and I’m rather sure some of my clients felt that too.
It wasn’t until it hit me a couple of years ago that I myself don’t take any advice from people who sound exactly like that, like they have all the answers and have all of their ducks in a row, 24/7. In fact, the people who inspire me, who’ve contributed to my spiritual, mental, and emotional growth, are the ones who openly share about the times they fuck up and fail to listen to their own advice and then talk about how they fixed that situation.
This was such an eye-opener to me. Why was I trying to emulate people I didn’t even admire, let alone listened to? Why was I wearing all these masks when I could simply be myself?
As soon as I started dropping the masks – which was hard and painful and confronting and filled me with a raging resistance, don’t get me wrong – everything shifted. How I showed up as coach, the clients who came my way, how they approached me and my work, you name it.
I know, on that deep level, that showing up as your authentic self affects everything you do, including the people you reach, but to be able to observe that process from up close… It’s not magic, and it’s not a miracle, but it kind of is, isn’t it?
I’m writing about this now because, last week, I asked the people who’ve been joining me on my guided journeys into the Akashic Records and who’ve joined my ACC meditation circle whether they could write one or two lines about what that experience has been like for them. I was planning to do a live video about the meditation circle because some people have been asking questions about it, and I know from experience how important it is to hear from others when you’re deciding whether or not to commit to something, whether that’s buying a book or taking a class.
While they did not let me down – and I’m including the video so you can hear what they’ve had to say for themselves – it surprised me how many focused on me, and what it’s like to do this work with me.
Let me share some of their words.
Mariëlle teaches me about the Records and how to work with them. She gives guidance and shares her wisdom and knowledge while also giving me a kick in the ass when I need it. That's all I look for in a coach!
Marielle has the perfect voice for guiding meditations. At every step of the process, I’ve felt protected and safe. She’s a brilliant kaitiaki.
For those who don’t speak Te Reo Maori – which includes me – kaitiaki means guardian.
What really stands out is how comfortable and safe the whole experience feels. Mariëlle creates this space where you can totally let your guard down. I’ve done a lot of personal growth work, but this? This is different. It’s like having a direct line to some deeper wisdom, with Mariëlle as the most awesome, supportive guide you could ask for.
When I received these comments, I couldn’t help but wonder whether they would have said the same thing about me if I’d still been wearing my selection of ‘Please believe I’m a professional and cut out for this work!’ masks. I mean, I don’t think I would’ve been able to create that safe and comfortable experience they describe, because I didn’t feel safe and comfortable in my own professional skin.
Now, I trust that, whoever comes my way will understand what it is I have to offer to them, no matter what I sound like, the clothes I wear, or the hairdo I sport during our video calls. Most of my clients are well aware I stopped wearing proper bras during COVID and now they no longer bother putting one on when getting ready for a call with me. I even had a coaching call once wearing a broken pair of glasses because I hadn’t had time to visit the optician.
Does it make me look professional and put together? Probably not. Does it affect the work I do and I how I’m able to help and show up for my clients? No way. In fact, they seem to like me all the better for it, now I’m showing just how much of a fellow human I really am. And potential clients who are put off by the lack of professional allure, who struggle to listen to what I have to say because of how I behave and look? Those are not for me. And I am more than OK with that.
So let me ask you, where can you be more you in your (creative) work and life? And do you have any examples you’d like to share about the moments you’ve dropped your own masks and saw the magic that comes with being just you for yourself?
I’d love to hear about it.
xx Mariëlle
P.S. Here’s the video I promised to share. And don’t forget, my next guided journey in the Akashic Records happens this Saturday at 7 p.m. You can buy a ticket here or join the ACC meditation circle (and enjoy all the benefits) here.