Letting Go of Who You ‘Should’ Be to Become Who You Truly Are

“She’s got it all together.”
“She always says yes.”
“She never needs help.”

The version of you who does everything right may be loved… but is she you? It’s time to release the performance—and come home to yourself.

The Burden of ‘Should’

From the moment we become mothers, women, partners, we’re handed invisible scripts:

• You should be more patient.
• You should never get angry.
• You should be grateful, even when you're exhausted.

These “shoulds” become masks—layers that silence your truth, your desires, your essence.

But here's the truth: who you're becoming requires shedding who you're not.

Why This Keeps You Stuck

Living for approval (even unconsciously) keeps you in a loop of people-pleasing, guilt, and burnout. You may be “liked,” but you don’t feel free. Freedom begins when you start living for your own alignment—not their expectations.

3 Steps to Let Go of the Old Identity

1. Name the Mask
   Ask: What roles or traits do I hold onto to feel safe or accepted? (e.g. “the fixer,” “the nice girl,” “the achiever”)
   Awareness creates space for choice.

2. Write a Permission Slip
   “I give myself permission to change. To disappoint others if it means honoring myself.”
   This becomes your anchor when guilt creeps in.

3. Start Showing Up As Her—Now
   The real you doesn’t need to be earned. Try speaking one honest sentence today. Wearing what you love. Saying no, guilt-free. Let that be the new normal.

What This Models for Your Kids

When you live from your truth—not obligation—you teach your children that authenticity is more valuable than acceptance. You become their first permission slip to be real.

You don’t need to prove, earn, or perform your worth. You already are. The more you shed who you “should” be, the more your soul can breathe—and the more your life begins to feel like home.