Finding Your Authentic Self…

Welcome to 2024! If you follow me on Instagram, I previously mentioned that things would be a little different around here especially as it related to my monthly editor’s note. Something that I’ve only shared thus far within my newsletter. This year, I’m trying something new. Something that I feel called to do.

So, here it is. From now on, you’ll be able to listen to my inner thoughts. Think of it as a mini-podcast. Perhaps it catches you as you get ready in the morning, or on your daily commute, or you may wait until nighttime to take it all in but no matter which way, my hope is that my thoughts resonate with you. That they inspire you. That they provide space for a bit of introspection.  So, without further ado, here is January’s episode. 

*This episode includes profanity and is not suitable for children.

With Love,

Transcript:

Hello, yup it’s me. If you’re new around here, I am Kathleen the founder of Endlessly Elated, an interior designer and stylist, a chef, an entertaining and lifestyle expert, a home product designer and curator. A multi-passionate woman who is trying to live out her life’s purpose. 

But if I’m being honest, I struggle. 

On my good days, I can conquer the world and on my bad days just describing myself makes me feel like a complete imposter. Like I should change interior designer to, an interior enthusiast, chef to home cook, and so on. As they say, words do matter. 

As this new year approached, I found myself drawn to a different medium, a more intentional way of sharing my monthly editor’s note. Instead of inking it on paper, I felt like the raw authenticity of me speaking directly to you felt so aligned.

So here I am.

2023 was a year that while I lived it, I didn’t feel like I experienced it. An outer body sort of feeling. At the beginning of February, I lost my mom, and the echoes of grief took up the entirety of my life, but somehow just like when I lost my dad, in this unexplainable way, I had a rebirth. My mom’s death became a profound catalyst for who I am today, speaking to you. And I can say it isn’t the woman who entered 2023.

That’s the interesting thing about any loss. When you feel like you’ve lost it all, nothing that you want to go for, or do, or want feels big. It feels tiny in comparison. When you start to dig deep. To Reflect. To Listen to the inner voice… all those worries, doubts, and insecurities just seem to vanish. You somehow, find your boldness. You stop apologizing, you become more you.

Because in the end, I’ve lost the most important person in my life. So, what the fuck am I still thinking about?

While the wound of my mom’s passing will never fully heal, I sit in gratitude for what it has taught me.

2024, is a new year. I am coming in bolder, more daring, and most importantly authentically me. You’ll see and most likely feel lots of changes within me, within EE but know that I’m following my intuition, challenging myself, and going after the things that perhaps for too long kept me in the shadows.

So now, I’m going to ask you what I asked myself, not intending to be morbid but rather introspective –as you listen to this, right now if you were on your deathbed are the things you are doing, the life you are leading, the people that you have surrounding you, are those the things that bring you the most joy? That when you are on your death bed you’ll look back and simply be able to utter the words “I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”

I hope you take a moment to reflect on this. Go into 2024 intentionally doing more of what you love and less of what you don’t. Saying yes to the things that bring you joy and no to the things that feel misaligned. Allow yourself that gift. 

Thank you for listening and we’ll chat next month.