take it off, Halloween style

Trick or treat!
Truth or dare?
BOO!

It’s that time of year again, where things and beings that have been buried or brushed aside, hidden in the dark or locked away, get their time in the lime light. Ghosts, ghouls, goblins, disco kings, gypsy queens, magicians and fairies, oh my! In the spirit of Halloween, imaginations are aflame. As the custom goes, costumes are being created and purchased for their night whee anything goes. Whether going to a late night party or school recital, everyone is included in getting their costume on.

Dressing up as someone else is the tradition, one that I have participated in plenty since childhood. The ritual of exploring my mind for what it could come up with, a unique someone to pretend to be, brought with it fun and frustration. Finding some creative entity to become for a day was fascinating and a fair amount of pressure. Looking at this cultural pattern now, it makes sense that I had such a fondness as well as some loathing for what I was doing growing up. The potential elaborate character and costume I could wear and be held magic in it. If I could be anything without having others judge me, who would I be? At the same time, the push to contort into someone or something that I am not held strain and anxiety. Wasn’t I enough, just me? Couldn’t I dress up in some outlandish outfit or not do my hair, just because? Why does Halloween have to be my one chance? Having a special day to be someone different, or relax more fully and visibly into part of who I really am, happens just once a year. Really?

What if instead of putting on a mask for Halloween, you took one off?

Who do you want to let go of being, even if for one day?

What aspect of you is ready to be revealed and let out to play?

What might be revealed if you disrobed a role or persona you’ve taken on instead of inventing another to put on?

Consider this, these words right here, as full permission to be what you really want to be for Halloween. Take off a mask and enhance part of you that has been hidden for far too long. Why buy a costume when you are fully clad with vivaciousness already? Who knows, maybe you’ll discover who you dare to be (and be seen) will come out to play year round…

For more clarity on what is ready to be revealed, explore success on your own terms here.

In the Flow and loving the ride,

Darcy

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