In today’s society of social media, you likely fall somewhere on the spectrum of visibility. You might be one who posts selfies daily, recounting every meal, workout, and adventure, or perhaps you prefer to stay off the grid and are un-Google-able (for lack of a better word). Either way, it’s your choice and totally up to you what you do and do not share on the internet, but today, we are talking all about the importance of being seen in more than the virtual sense.
So, what does it mean to be seen? Well, it can simply mean that you are out and about in your community. It can mean you hold a position where others come to you for advice, or it can mean that you are showing up for others who depend on you. Being seen is not hiding yourself from others. Take for example, being in a new yoga class and choosing the very back corner spot for your mat. Now, if you just enjoy that space then go for it! But, if you are placing yourself there out of fear or shame of being seen, I’d like to encourage you: Let them see you.
Let’s break it down, shall we?
Step one: Humble yourself
It’s human nature to care about what other’s think about us, but if you stop to consider it–do other people really care that much about our appearance, job, car, etc.? Perseverating on the perceptions of others pulls us away from our authentic selves and puts us in a place of vanity, which doesn’t exactly feel good. So, our first step towards being seen is to humble yourself. Acknowledge that you are one in a billion people and that not a single one of us is perfect. We talk a lot about how yoga can help us practice humility here.
Step two: Get vulnerable
Okay, now this one feels like a big jump from step one, but hear me out. Operating from a place of vulnerability is the quickest way to connect with others. In her book, Daring Greatly, researcher Brené Brown says “Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the center, of meaningful human experiences.” Allowing yourself to show up as you are, regardless of who is in the room might feel scary at first, but you will find that your people will still attract to you because you are your most authentic self.
Step three: See your own influence
Once you have humbled yourself and gotten vulnerable, the fun can really begin! After you have accomplished being seen, you will get to experience the magic of seeing how you can truly influence and connect with others.
Let’s go back to the example of the yoga class. Before, you were hiding yourself in the back because you don’t have the latest leggings and tank set, or maybe you use props and worry others might assume you aren’t fit. Consider the effect that it can have when you move yourself even to the middle of the room. Maybe a fellow yogi sees you in your oversized Fleetwood Mac concert tee and just has to talk to you and you become friends. Or, perhaps someone in the class has never been able to achieve half-moon pose, but because they saw you using a block to assist in this pose, they now can!
You don’t have to be a center-of-attention kind of person to make an impact in this world. A simple act of showing up rather than hiding can be the difference between isolation and genuine connection. There’s a whole world of people out there who are ready and willing to learn from you, to get to know you.
Let them see you.
