No label, title, or approval required.
Some of us are who we are long before the world sees it.
I recently started reading Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, and it cracked something open in me. She talks about how we hold ourselves back from embodying the identities we don’t yet feel comfortable labeling ourselves as. And wow…did that hit home.
It’s shown me why I still feel like an imposter as a writer, even as I’m being introduced to others who embrace that title with ease at book readings, theatre shows, and other public spaces.
Or why it takes my new romantic interest has to be the one to remind me that I’ve posted tarot readings almost every day for nine months, built a following of nearly nine thousand, guided MILLIONS through my work, and yet still get bashful about speaking proudly and confidently about it—even though the feedback I’ve received has been nothing but five stars and glowing reviews.
And I think about the time I opened up about my queerness to someone who seemed confused because I hadn’t labeled myself before then (well… they really just forgot). To myself, and to a few people close to me, I had. But to the larger world—to family, to the public—I hadn’t “come out,” and I hadn’t stacked up experiences outside of heteronormative relationships.
But luckily, in that moment, I knew it didn’t matter.
As someone who’s always been quick to please, I’ve still always known deep down who I am and what truly aligns for me, whether I’m loud about it or not. Now I’m learning to stay grounded in myself, not uprooted by others’ projections, doubts, or inability to connect with the real me. I don’t need to prove who I am to anyone. I just need to be comfortable being me.
Because here’s the thing: just because you haven’t announced your label doesn’t make it invalid.
It doesn’t have to be witnessed. It isn’t a crime.
You don’t have to know your exact sexuality, and if you do, you don’t have to prove it or announce it to feel justified—this isn’t Justin Timberlake’s first album.
You could’ve spent years journaling your heart out through poetry and still feel like an imposter when you call yourself a writer just because you haven’t published.
You could be doodling at your 9–5 desk job and still hesitate to call yourself an artist to friends with work hanging in museums.
The truth is, none of these titles become “real” just because of someone else’s acknowledgment. Or because you’ve accomplished some great feat by publishing, selling your work, or speaking in front of large crowds.
They’re already real because you feel them. Because you are them.
You’ve already lived these titles—whether in large acts or small. You’ve loved them with your inner child’s heart. Moved through the world with those same eyes, thoughts, and feelings; carrying them quietly and holding them close to your chest like a secret garden only you would know how to tend and grow.
Because you are the only one who can. And that’s sacred.
Not everyone wants to come out. Not everyone feels the need to define their identity in neat little boxes that can be consumed and approved by others. And that’s valid.
Some of us are queer long before we ever say it out loud.
Some of us are artists long before we ever share our work.
Some of us are healers, lovers, visionaries, writers—long before the world gives us permission or a platform.
Your label is real, even if you’ve only whispered it to yourself.
Even if you haven’t figured it out fully.
Even if someone else tries to claim they were “first.”
You know who you are.
That’s enough.
Thank you so much for reading The Divine Vitality!
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My heart for this blog has always been to share love, light, and healing openly, and I deeply desire that everyone who visits here finds something meaningful. At the same time, your support empowers me to keep creating, sharing, and learning as I pursue this as my career. Every bit of encouragement and support is a blessing, and I’m endlessly grateful to each of you for helping make this journey possible.
Thank you for being here💛