Tired of the Noise? Here’s How to Find Your Own Voice in a Divided World
I'm putting out a call to authenticity because, like a full moon, this election season has caused a vibration that has forced everyone to have an opinion. And not just an opinion, but the opinion. The right one. The only one that makes sense, and somehow, if you don't agree, you're either entirely out of touch with reality or just upsettly wrong. For months, family, friends, and traditional/social media outlets have been constantly nudging me toward their seemingly conventional "logical" choices. The pull to agree can be powerful. After all, there's comfort in following the familiar and aligning with what seems popular or safe. But with the country split down the middle, depending on who you surround yourself with, the popular choice can be one of two people. With all the noise and external influences, it's easy to lose sight of one essential voice: your own.
Times like these are why, especially when pressured to listen to the "correct" podcasts or stop looking at different news sources, it's important to take a step back and embrace the unconventional. What do I mean by unconventional? It's about rejecting the notion that you must follow a predetermined path or make decisions based solely on what others expect. Instead, it's about tuning into your inner voice, reflecting your values, priorities, and unique perspective on the world. It is time to start trusting your inner compass.
It's natural to seek approval from those around us. When my favorite person in a social setting starts stating her beliefs, it is hard not to stand on the soap box with her. It is even harder to disagree. It takes a strong person not always to follow the majority. Sometimes, you can't even hear your own voice over everyone's strongly stated opinion. But the truth is, real empowerment comes from making choices that align with who you are at your core, not what others want or expect you to be. Inward listening allows you to make decisions that are not only authentic but also personally meaningful. It is harder to do than you think.
One of the hardest parts of staying true to yourself is the fear of judgment. We all desire to be liked, respected, and included. It's natural; humans are social creatures, and approval from others is a powerful source of comfort and validation. But there's a hidden cost when we prioritize others' opinions over our own.
The pressure to conform can be especially intense in an election season when opinions feel charged and definitive. I worry about being labeled as "ignorant" or "unpatriotic." I found this fear of judgment started to silence my inner voice and pulled me toward conformity. I always had difficulty agreeing with a popular stance, so I started to keep quiet to avoid conflict or the discomfort of standing out.
But when I considered the consequences of ignoring my own values and repeatedly silencing my true thoughts and opinions to avoid judgment, I realized it was chipping away at my confidence and sense of self. Over time, this compromise left me feeling empty, disconnected, or even resentful. It is funny, but when we lose touch with who we are, we feel isolated anyway, not because others have rejected us, but because we've rejected ourselves.
I've discovered that authenticity requires courage, especially when the stakes feel high, like political debates or even when they are not in simple social gatherings. It's not easy to say, "I disagree" or "I see things differently." But we strengthen our inner compass and unconventionality every time we stand by our beliefs, even in small ways. We build resilience against the pressure to conform and reinforce our self-worth by affirming that our voice matters, too.
So, how do we find the courage to be true to ourselves, even when we fear judgment? Start small (and read my book "How to Build an Airplane in Your Living Room: A Guide to Living an Unconventional Life.) In conversations, practice sharing your thoughts honestly, even if met with surprise or disagreement. You don't have to make grand declarations. Sometimes, it's enough to say, "That's an interesting perspective, but have you considered this."
Remember that courage and unconventionality isn't the absence of fear; it's the choice to act despite it. Embracing your authentic self doesn't mean disregarding others' opinions but valuing your own opinion equally. We gain empowerment and peace when we honor our voices. Each time I choose to live in alignment with my values, I find a growing trust in myself. It started as a quiet confidence that, over time, enabled me to stand strong, even in the face of opposition. But that is a superpower I use wisely.
The truth is that choosing to live authentically will sometimes mean facing criticism or misunderstanding. But I promise the reward of a life that feels honest, intentional, and true to who you are is worth every uncomfortable encounter. It takes courage to stand outside the crowd, but that courage can be transformative. Once you let go of the constant need to fit in, you open yourself up to a different kind of freedom, the freedom to be unapologetically you.
I'm not suggesting you start acting impulsively or simply reject all outside advice just to be unconventional. Instead, it's about giving yourself permission to pause, reflect, and weigh your options before moving forward. Sometimes, the path that feels most authentic to you may look different from the one others are taking, and that's OK. In fact, it's more than OK! It's necessary for true progress, both for you and society as a whole. It's all about the power of self-education.
Being informed is one of the best ways to make confident, unconventional choices. It is not an easy thing to do when we are constantly surrounded by misinformation. It is continuously shocking to me how the narrative is constantly twisted. When we make decisions based on surface-level information or adopt beliefs uncritically, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to not only embrace the full complexity of an issue but learn what actually happened. Self-education is vital to navigating this and every election season with authenticity. It involves digging deeper, reading from a variety of sources, and exposing yourself to diverse viewpoints, even those that challenge your current perspective.
By broadening your understanding, you're better equipped to make decisions that resonate with your values rather than just following the path of least resistance. Self-education is empowering because it transforms you from a passive participant into an active, intentional decision-maker. I actively seek out an opposing view. Wasn't it Mark Twain that said, "An open mind leaves a chance for someone to drop a worthwhile thought in it?" That resonates with me, and I have never walked away from a conversation without learning something. Try it sometime, and remember to stay calm because anger won't allow you to listen. Developing your ability to have a truly open mind is a successful path to fundamental understanding.
At the heart of it, making unconventional decisions means living in alignment with your values. Have you taken the time to understand them? Is your value system truly aligned with who you are today? Election seasons, with all their noise, are a perfect time to discover who you are and prepare for the broader challenges of life. The world will always try to pull you in a hundred different directions, but ultimately, the most rewarding path is the one that feels true to you.
So, as election day approaches, I challenge you to:
Don't just follow the loudest voices or take the path of least resistance. Are you willing to choose the road that feels most true to you, even if it's not the one everyone else is taking?
Take the time to self-educate, read more than headlines, and stay open-minded. Above all, trust your inner compass. When you do, you'll find that the choices you make, no matter how unconventional, are the ones that feel most empowering and meaningful.
On November 5th, when you see the results of your fellow Americans' choices, know this: being true to yourself is the most radical act of authenticity. Stand by it unapologetically.
Tips for Beyond the Election
The challenge of staying true to yourself doesn't end when the ballots are counted. The period after the election can be challenging. Whether the results align with your hopes or disappoint you, it's too easy to get swept up in the reactions and opinions of those around you. But remember, authenticity is a lifelong journey. Election season is just one test of it. True resilience is about staying connected to who you are, regardless of external events.
If your preferred candidate wins, you might feel validated, even empowered. But don't let that cause you to ignore other voices or stop questioning things you don't understand. And if your candidate loses, it's easy to feel deflated, angry, alienated, or even suspicious, but resist the urge to withdraw or give up on expanding your learning. Instead, let these feelings remind you of the importance of living in alignment with your true self, regardless of the noise.
Authenticity doesn't mean being rigid or unchanging; it means being honest about where you are right now and being open to how life might shape you. As new experiences and perspectives come, permit yourself to evolve. Being true to yourself isn't about stubbornly holding onto the same beliefs forever; it's about embracing growth and change as part of your journey.
So, whether or not the election outcome aligns with your personal beliefs, stay committed to learning, reflecting, and growing. Make a habit of seeking out diverse perspectives and challenging yourself to see things from new angles. Continue educating yourself, not just about politics, but about the world, people, and what drives you.
As we all move forward, remember that being authentic doesn't mean you'll always have the "right" answers. It means you're willing to stay true to yourself, even if others disagree. So let this election season be more than just a moment in history. Let it be a reminder to live with intention. Stand by your inner compass, stay resilient in the face of change, and keep choosing the path that feels true to you.