Thanks for speaking on this. This is a hot topic for me. An old friend I admired once told me "the job of the artist is to tell the truth". I deeply value authenticity. I think it's the best tactic in the long run.
But yeah, it gets exploited. There's this industrial culture that makes a commodity of any concept, no matter how intimate, and feeds on your vitality. And then there's just regular insecure assholes, many of them victims of that culture. All of these predators will exploit whatever information you reveal. It's enough to make any reasonable person feel insecure.
I have a few security practices that help. I use money as a last resort for my survival and focus on building diverse, trusting relationships along with real value from our pool of skills and assets. My authenticity is a powerful tool for building trust. I distance myself from those who exploit my earnest nature. I try to stay kind and curious and playful, and when I'm healthy I'm not afraid to ruthlessly withdraw from situations/people that compromise those values, and confront them if I am empowered to do so.
Yeah, in the short term it'll cost you. I have gotten many vicious kicks in the head. Lots of petty predators in the world. It's ugly out here, and we're all dying. But overall it's the most secure and as the saying goes, the best things in life are free.
This is so true and I'm experiencing it so much in Mexico City. Paying for "authentic experiences" when I can just go down the street and eat at my sweet abuela/neighbors house like be fucking forreal.
Thanks for speaking on this. This is a hot topic for me. An old friend I admired once told me "the job of the artist is to tell the truth". I deeply value authenticity. I think it's the best tactic in the long run.
But yeah, it gets exploited. There's this industrial culture that makes a commodity of any concept, no matter how intimate, and feeds on your vitality. And then there's just regular insecure assholes, many of them victims of that culture. All of these predators will exploit whatever information you reveal. It's enough to make any reasonable person feel insecure.
I have a few security practices that help. I use money as a last resort for my survival and focus on building diverse, trusting relationships along with real value from our pool of skills and assets. My authenticity is a powerful tool for building trust. I distance myself from those who exploit my earnest nature. I try to stay kind and curious and playful, and when I'm healthy I'm not afraid to ruthlessly withdraw from situations/people that compromise those values, and confront them if I am empowered to do so.
Yeah, in the short term it'll cost you. I have gotten many vicious kicks in the head. Lots of petty predators in the world. It's ugly out here, and we're all dying. But overall it's the most secure and as the saying goes, the best things in life are free.
This is so true and I'm experiencing it so much in Mexico City. Paying for "authentic experiences" when I can just go down the street and eat at my sweet abuela/neighbors house like be fucking forreal.
Loved this post!
Needed to read this. The opening was hilarious 😂
Love love loveeeee this
Thank you, Heylie!
this is SO real thank you for exploring this! this is something i think about a lot and i love the cost breakdown so much. authentic girl math™️
hahahaha thank YOU! :)
Keep being your authentic, beautiful self.
thank you, Gail! love you so much.