How I Found Confidence by Embracing My Inner Light
Mary, The Holistic Itinerary's founder, welcomes you to a journey of self-discovery and authentic living.
What Is Inner Light?
You’ve probably heard phrases like “shine from within” or “don’t dim your light to please others.” They sound inspiring, but what do they truly mean?
To me, inner light is the unique, authentic energy that emerges when you are unapologetically yourself. It's doing what feels right to you—choosing what resonates with your soul, not what you think the world expects.
For example, you might pick a blue shirt because you genuinely like blue. But sometimes, your choice isn’t as free as you think. Maybe you’ve learned from society that blue feels more appropriate in certain situations, like work. That’s not necessarily bad—we often benefit from collective wisdom. But when our choices are dictated more by external expectations than our own desires, we can lose touch with our inner light.
Embracing your inner light means questioning whether your decisions reflect who you are or what others have taught you to be. It's about reclaiming your desires, honoring your uniqueness, and allowing your light to shine authentically.
The Link Between Inner Light and Confidence
Confidence and inner light are deeply intertwined. Confidence is certainty—a strong sense of trust in yourself and your abilities. Imagine the opposite: uncertainty, a feeling of instability and doubt. Living confidently is like walking on solid ground.
But how do you build that trust? By knowing and embracing your inner light. When you connect with your authentic self, you create an unshakable foundation of self-awareness and self-acceptance. This is where confidence flourishes—when you know your truth and own it unapologetically.
The Struggle to Own My Light
My journey to embracing my inner light began during a challenging period in my life. I experienced a significant loss of friendships and faced professional setbacks. This unexpected turn of events forced me to confront how others perceived me, and I realized that some of these perceptions didn't align with my authentic self.
Initially, I questioned my own identity and felt the weight of others' judgments. However, I quickly realized that these perceptions were not a true reflection of who I am. Instead of dwelling on negativity, I chose to focus on my own inner truth. This period of introspection became an unexpected opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. I learned to trust my own intuition and embrace my authentic self, regardless of external opinions.
This experience forced me to confront a deeper question: Had I been authentic enough? Had I truly allowed others to see the real me? The weight of these doubts was heavy, leaving me questioning everything: Am I what they say I am? Is this really me? For a moment, I questioned my own identity. However, I quickly regained my footing, realizing that their perceptions were not a true reflection of my character.
It was time to turn inward and rediscover my own light.
The Power of Self-Awareness, Self-Assessment, and Vulnerability: A Key to Inner Strength
I’ve always been transparent, often showing my vulnerabilities openly. This trait made me feel exposed. Not everyone knows how to handle vulnerability, and some people will use it against you.
But vulnerability, I’ve learned, is not weakness—it’s courage. It’s the willingness to be seen as you are, flaws and all. It’s the foundation of authenticity, and authenticity is where true confidence lives. When you embrace your inner light, imperfections included, you stop seeking external validation. You shine for yourself.
I had to confront myself with radical honesty. Were those narratives true? Had I done things that allowed others to misinterpret me? Where had I dimmed my light out of fear of judgment? This honesty is the key to real confidence.
This was not easy work. It required vulnerability—to admit my mistakes, to acknowledge the patterns that didn’t serve me, and to let go of the fear of being misunderstood. But it also required compassion, because beating myself up would have kept me stuck. Instead, I chose to be my own best listener and my greatest supporter.
Through this process, I discovered something incredible: owning your narrative is real power. When you define who you are, instead of letting others decide for you, you reclaim control of your life. And with that control comes confidence—the kind that radiates from within.
Lessons from My Journey
If you’re struggling to embrace your inner light, start with these questions:
✓ Are the narratives about who you are fair and true?
✓ Who is creating these narratives—yourself or others?
✓ Are you giving away the power to define your truth?
Be honest with yourself. Self-awareness is uncomfortable but transformative. The ability to self-assess—to see your own patterns, behaviors, and choices objectively—is one of the most empowering skills you can develop.
Owning your narrative doesn’t mean everything will be perfect, but it does mean you’ll have clarity. And with clarity comes confidence.
How Solitude Became My Teacher
When I found myself alone, with no work or friends, I felt a sense of isolation. But in hindsight, I see it as a gift. That solitude gave me the space to connect with myself, to discard the false narratives that didn’t belong to me, and to claim my truth.
I stopped dimming my light to conform to expectations. I stopped letting others define me.
And as I embraced my inner light, my confidence returned—not as a fleeting feeling, but as a steady, unshakable state of being.
Solitude, as it turned out, was the catalyst for my transformation. It was during this period of isolation that I began to truly understand the power of my inner light.
In the quiet solitude, I learned to silence the noise of external opinions. I stopped seeking validation from others and began to listen to my own inner voice. This newfound self-awareness ignited a fire within me, empowering me to shine brightly.
Embrace Your Light, Own Your Power
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: your inner light is your truth, and your truth is your power. Confidence doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from knowing who you are, owning your narrative, and shining unapologetically.
So take the time to listen to yourself. Be compassionate, be honest, and be willing to go deep. Your inner light is waiting to shine—and when it does, it will illuminate the path to a life of confidence and authenticity.
Are you ready to embrace your inner light and live a life of authenticity?
