You’re Already a Diamond.

“When will this pressure turn me into a diamond?!”

Life is often stressful, work can be stressful, and it can all compound when we pile added stress onto ourselves with big, hard expectations- like rising to meet the challenges of a volatile economy, personal health issues, and whatever else you’re going through.

When you’re in the thick of it all, you might be thinking that question- when is this stress and pressure finally going to turn me into the diamond that I dream of becoming?

Stop Adding, Start Excavating

The truth is: You’re already a diamond! Self-development is NOT about filling in the voids in your value, or trying to add on sequins and shiny baubles to make you seem more valuable.

The value is already there. You just have to excavate and polish that diamond.

We all have unique strengths that make us diamonds. And yes, there are ugly bits of coal that are still clinging to us too, but you don’t have to waste your energy trying to beat yourself up to somehow single-handedly turn every little bit of carbon into a diamond.

Focus instead on the incredible diamond that is already there inside of you!

The Centenary Diamond

While traveling in London earlier this year, I saw all of the beautiful and impressive crown jewels at the Tower of London (which I wasn't allowed to take any pictures of). Then I also saw the Koh-i-Noor and Centenary diamonds tucked away in a random corner of the Natural History Museum (which I would highly recommend visiting- although full disclosure, it might have only been so thrilling to me because of my short-lived fourth-grade dream of becoming a Geologist. I had THE coolest rock collection.)

The Centenary diamond was HUGE and gorgeous (even when covered with a very slight layer of dust- I guess that it is too valuable for them to trust anyone to clean it regularly?)

Hypothetically, though, if someone dropped that diamond into the ocean at the same time as YOU or some random stranger who couldn’t swim and gave me the choice to save just one, I would jump in and save you instead. That is because each and every one of us is born with the same value- more precious than any treasure or diamond, and you can’t add to or diminish that value.

Recognize Your Value

How many of your self-improvement efforts have felt like you have been begrudgingly forcing and punishing yourself to do something you think you should be doing? What if you flipped the script and started showing up and doing the things that are good for you because you love yourself and recognize your own value?

You are worth taking care of! You ARE already a diamond. How are you showing up for yourself and proving to yourself that you ARE valuable?

Develop Your Diamond

The only person you will ever have 100% responsibility for (for their entire life) is YOU, and the best thing you can do for yourself and those you love is to have the self-compassion to care for your needs, fill your soul with joy, and then share your light. You can polish your diamond and make it shine by working to develop your creativity, courage, and compassion.

Becoming the brightest, shiniest diamond possible will inspire others to do the same. No one else is going to come and save you from the "thought demons" inside your own head that are holding you back and making you feel like you’re not enough. YOU are the one who has to discover and develop your diamond, and then have the courage to share and shine so you can light the way for others to do the same.

Create and Shine Bright

What does your soul need to feel fulfilled? What if you stopped making fun of your creative passions and putting them on the back burner as being “silly”?

The things you create in your life will not make you more or less valuable as a human, but they will give you a chance to experience the joy of creation, to connect with others, and to share your light with those who need it the most.

Follow along for more musings on creativity and self-development as I work towards publishing a book to inspire and guide your creative journey.

In the meantime, follow along and enjoy my Spotify playlists! https://open.spotify.com/user/315e7tkbwhtxlqumytr3uybccktm?si=878a884687764ae4