Stop Playing Small and Embrace Your Bold Beautiful Self

I recently went through a complete brand overhaul, specifically my color palette, and it taught me something profound about how we show up in the world.

It all started because I was feeling restless. My old colors weren't quite hitting the way I wanted them to. They felt... safe. Predictable. So I did what any modern entrepreneur does: I asked ChatGPT to create a new color palette based on my coaching voice, brand, and messaging.

The result? A really bold palette that made my stomach flip.

My first instinct was doubt. "Is this too much? Is this really me?" And like the typical ChatGPT user, I asked it to confirm whether these colors actually made sense. Of course, it assured me they did and gave me all the logical reasons why.

(Side note: I know there are concerns about using AI in business, but I find it incredibly useful for marketing brainstorms so long as I bring my original thoughts and voice to the table first.)

Despite my hesitation, I decided to try it anyway. I started updating my website, creating new social media templates, and something magical happened: the more I changed, the more I loved it.

When I compared my new brand to the old one, I had a revelation that hit me like a freight train.

I had been playing small.

My original colors were earthy, neutral, and soft. They were muted just like how I was showing up. There was hesitant, almost timid energy in those choices, and it was completely mismatched with who I actually am as a coach. My voice tends to be direct and unconventional. I lean into that explorer/rule-breaker archetype because that's authentically me.

Turns out, as much as I hate to admit it, ChatGPT was right.

Now my brand actually reflects how I show up: direct with warmth, strong with compassion, and unapologetically human.

But here's what really got me thinking: how often do we hold ourselves back without even realizing it?

The instinct to play small is sneaky as hell. We're our own biggest critics, so it makes perfect sense. But think about this: how often have you received genuine praise from peers, loved ones, or friends and immediately shrugged it off?

We have such a hard time seeing ourselves the way others experience us. Our inner critic is so loud that accepting wonderful words of praise, strength, and admiration feels impossible. How could that be true? How is this person admiring my work when I still feel like I have such a long way to go?

Maybe it's because that person had a front-row seat to the growth and effort it took you to get there, and you haven't stopped long enough to appreciate your own journey.

Here's my challenge to you: don't disregard the feedback you receive about your strengths, accomplishments, value, or skills. Want to witness the gap between how you see yourself and how you actually show up? Ask your people directly: "What words would you use to describe me?"

And when they tell you something beautiful and heartfelt, don't you dare shrug it off. That is how they see you. It might not feel like your truth right now, but it's absolutely someone else's truth.

So what happens when you start believing what people say about you? What happens when you stop deflecting praise and admiration?

You might discover those people were right all along. You might fall in love with this new, bolder version of yourself because you're finally seeing what everyone else has been seeing. You might stop playing small and start showing up authentically with confidence, energy, and without hiding.

What are the things people say about you that you've been denying or brushing off? And how can you start embracing those qualities unapologetically, without shame?

Your bold self is waiting for you to claim it.

Ready to stop shrinking yourself and step into your authentic power? Book a free introductory call with me below and let's explore what's possible when you embrace your bold beautiful self. Because the usual path of shrinking yourself isn't serving anyone, especially not you.