Stop Shrinking Yourself: The Power of Embracing Every Part of Who You Are

The Illusion of Labels and the Freedom of Being More

“They ask you, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Later they ask, what do you do?

Which is just another way of saying, what have you become?”

—Derek DelGaudio

If you haven’t seen the film In and Of Itself, stop reading and go watch it right now. Trust me—you’ll thank me later. I want you to come back and finish reading this post, but honestly, experiencing the film with fresh eyes is a must. It’s so powerful that I genuinely believe it should be shown in every school and made a requirement for everyone to watch.

The Illusion of Labels

In and Of Itself isn’t just a magic show; it’s an exploration of identity complexity. It dives into the tension of how we define ourselves and how others perceive us. From a young age, we’re taught to define ourselves through labels: daughter, friend, artist, teacher. While these roles can give us a sense of belonging and purpose, DelGaudio shows us these identities can also become cages—limitations that prevent us from fully exploring who we are.

For the longest time, I felt like I had to choose between my passions: music or art—never both. I convinced myself that if I pursued singing as a career, then my art had to remain just a hobby. Managers, friends, and even well-meaning supporters would tell me it was confusing to see me juggling so many things. Are you a singer? A model? A life coach? A painter? The message was always clear: pick one thing; make yourself easier for others to understand.

But after watching this film, something clicked for me. It was like seeing the elephant in my own life—the parts of myself I’d been keeping hidden because they didn’t fit into the boxes others had built for me.

Embracing the Unseen Parts

That’s when I decided: Why not do both? Why not let my art and music coexist, feeding into one another? So, I started creating my own deck of playing cards—each card a unique piece of art (check out my first print here). Additionally, I have the vision of creating pieces inspired by the songs I write. It’s still a work in progress at this point… but the idea is every time I release a new song, I plan to draw a card that represents its essence. I guess it’s my way of saying: I won’t limit myself anymore. I’m not just one thing; I’m all of it.

The Freedom to Redefine Yourself

This journey has taught me that the most powerful version of yourself is the one that’s fully authentic. When you embrace every part of who you are—your passions, quirks, and contradictions—you step into a strength that's entirely your own. You become unstoppable. Often, the parts of ourselves that we keep hidden are the most powerful.

The next time someone tries to confine you to a single role, remember the elephant. You are both what they see and everything they don’t. You don’t have to choose—you can be all of it, and that’s where your true power lies.

So, here’s my challenge to you: What parts of yourself have you been keeping hidden because they don’t fit into the labels others have given you? What would happen if you allowed yourself to be fully seen—not just for others, but for yourself? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments. Also, I’m thinking of sending a free art print to a random commenter. Let me know your thoughts below—I’d love to continue the conversation.