Find yourself, find your people

Something I have been focusing on myself is authenticity in all areas of my life. I want to be a similar-spirited person whether I am working, with friends, with family, or with strangers.

Historically, people adapt based on their surroundings which allows for a lot of positive outcomes. You can make sure you are responding and working for and with those around you.

But I have found for myself and many others, that sometimes we adapt so much that we become chameleons. Changing and morphing into what we THINK others want us to be, making assumptions on what we think is "right" at the moment.

We see this with our middle schoolers every day. Trying to fit in with who they think is cool, and sometimes making poor decisions.

But not much changes as adults. Well, the decisions get a little less obvious in the risk, but adults still make decisions based on assumptions of what others expect instead of what is true to their nature.

As I have spent time working on myself and improving my self-awareness, I have realized that my most genuine connections are when I am my most true self. I am responding and communicating what feels best for me.

I am finding while I still can engage in ways, I am more set in who I want to be and therefore I show up with intention.

I see my students morphing into the status quo, and that is okay. That is life. That is the process and the journey of it. But We can work in small groups, one on one settings to allow for students to have space to be who they are. Asking them guiding questions to see what they feel and think. Giving the opportunity to have space to think independently can boost confidence when their correct math answer is truly correct. And they can be less concerned that their assumed "smarter" classmate is always right.

When they are able to identify their gut and trust it, they'll begin to show up and show up more confidently. And then you can only hope that they will find their people who care for them as themselves.