Are you being true to who you are? Who are you?

Imagine a world where you could be exactly who you are. You didn't have to pretend to be someone different. You were stripped bare and all that remained was your true authentic self. No facades. No masks to hide behind. No being what other people think you should be. No social media illusions. No filters.

Just you. You in all your glory. You in your power. You in your vulnerability

You going through every inconceivable emotion you could imagine. Sadness, happiness, confusion, frustration, anger, peace, curiosity and euphoria.

This is what happens when you spend 9 months at sea on a tiny, pink rowing boat with 3 other women.

You can only be who you are. It’s not possible to hide your true essence. How you deal with pressure, stress, extreme conditions, sleep deprivation, struggle (mental and physical), it’s all going to be glaringly obvious. Utterly real.

We had to say how we felt and share exactly what was going on in our minds and there was something so very special about each of us being our authentic selves out there in that mighty Pacific Ocean. 

For those that are yet to experience and share in our story, Losing Sight of Shore - the documentary of our 257 day odyssey, is available now on Netflix, Amazon and iTunes. 

Photo by Losing Sight of Shore - Documentary created by Sarah Moshman.

Imagine that world…no pretence. Nowhere to run and nowhere to hide from who you truly are.  

Authenticity is one of the most powerful personal characteristics. 

I believe that life is too short not to be who you are. It's too exhausting to pretend. 

In so many ways, we’re all craving that realness: we want to be authentic, and we want to be around authenticity. The more we try to be something else, the more the desire to just be ourselves, grows stronger.

Real authenticity is special.  

How do you cultivate this authenticity? How do you know you're being authentic? I believe it's about having an understanding of how the following works:

Trusting your intuition

Truly connecting with people. 

Embracing your vulnerability (no-one's perfect)

Being present

Developing your self awareness 

A few weeks ago I met the lovely Jamie Campbell. He shared his story with me and I was amazed and inspired by his bravery.

At the age of 16, Jamie wanted to go to his school prom in a dress. Despite being bullied at school, he was fortunate enough to have the support of his loving mother, and his story of remaining authentic is a shining example of how unexpectedly wonderful life can turn out when you remain true to yourself.

Jamie did indeed eventually go to his school dance in a dress!

He began living as his drag queen alter ego Fifi La True and had a BBC 3 THREE documentary, Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, made that followed his journey. This story of Jamie coming out, wearing a dress to his school dance and wanting to become a drag star was picked up by someone who believed so strongly in the story that it has now been made it into a successful West End Musical, Everybody's Talking About Jamie!!

There is such power of authenticity in his story, but interestingly he now feels that his time in drag is coming to an end and he wants to simply be Jamie once again.  

Imagine a world where you could be exactly who you are.

To echo the opening quote, how refreshing it would be if you could "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind". 

Regardless of how others judged and perceived you, you had this great confidence to stand up and say, 'This is me'...(there seems to be a theatrical theme going on here!!)

What a world it would be.

Have a glorious month everyone and embrace who you are. 

Natalia x

*PS Please connect for screening opportunities, hosted sessions & screenings followed by Q&A's