Section 2: Reclaiming Your Voice: Rediscovering Authenticity

ARIEL & ERIC

Breaking the Silence

LITTLE MERMAID’S  DILEMMA is explored under following sections: 
Section 1: The Power of Desire and Sacrifice.
Section 2: Reclaiming Your Voice: Rediscovering Authenticity.
Section 3: Striking the Balance.
Conclusion: The Little Mermaid’s Legacy, A 

Legacy of Sacrifice with Purpose.

In The Little Mermaid, Ariel’s ultimate realization comes when she regains her voice and returns to her true self. After a series of trials and losses, she understands that sacrificing her voice was not the solution. In the end, it is her authentic self that helps her navigate the challenges and ultimately find happiness. Ariel’s journey teaches us that even when we make sacrifices in pursuit of our dreams, it’s important to stay connected to our authentic selves. 

The Little Mermaid – From Folklore, Myths & Legends-to: 

Real-Life Example: Princess Diana and Regaining Her Voice

The Early Struggles with Conformity

When Diana Spencer became engaged to Prince Charles and entered the royal family, she was thrust into a world of immense public scrutiny and rigid expectations. As the future Princess of Wales, Diana was expected to follow the rules of the monarchy, maintain a polished image, and suppress her personal feelings and desires for the sake of public duties. Diana struggled with her sense of self, often feeling trapped by the weight of her royal obligations and the expectations placed on her.

Her marriage, particularly, was an area where Diana felt silenced. Behind the public image of a fairy-tale romance, the reality of her relationship with Prince Charles was far more complex. Diana’s emotional needs were not being met, and she began to feel increasingly disconnected from her true self. 

Her personal truth and the role she was expected to play were totally opposite and going through this phase of her life was an immense emotional and psychological burden.  She struggled with mental health, including bulimia and depression, were well-documented during this period. 

Princess Diana was a woman who went through significant personal challenges; yet she ultimately rediscovered her authentic voice. Her story offers valuable insights into the process of regaining one’s voice. And the value of reconnecting with personal truth, despite external pressures and constraints.

Princess Diana

• Finding Her Voice Through Philanthropy 

One of the pivotal moments in her journey of rediscovering her voice was her involvement in charity work. By taking action on the causes that resonated deeply with her, Diana was able to heal and expressing her true values, she followed the her calling. Her activism became a powerful tool in regaining her voice. It allowed her to speak out on issues she was passionate about, even when they defied tradition. 

Diana "the Queen of Hearts" -"People's Princess”.

Her actions sent a clear message to the public and the royal family that she was not just a chess piece, she was an individual with a voice, agency, and an inner purpose.

• Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt

As Diana began to embrace her authentic self, she found the courage to speak out about her struggles, including her tumultuous marriage and personal battles with mental health. Diana’s famous interview with the BBC in 1995, where she discussed her divorce, her struggles with bulimia, and her experiences of loneliness within the royal family, was a turning point in her life. It was a raw and vulnerable moment where she opened up to the world about her pain and challenges. 

Princess Diana's 1995 BBC Interview 

By doing so, she regained control over her narrative, speaking from a place of truth and authenticity.

• Setting Boundaries and Asserting Her Independence

Diana began to assert her independence in ways that had been previously impossible within the confines of her royal life. She became a mother to her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, and prioritized their well-being and her role as their protector. Diana also began to make decisions that aligned more closely with her values. In this period, Diana set boundaries that allowed her to regain a sense of agency and control over her life.

• Embracing Vulnerability

Diana’s willingness to embrace vulnerability—whether through her charity work or her public confessions—was a powerful element of her authenticity. She understood that vulnerability was not a weaknes but a strength that allowed her to connect with others on a deeply human level. Her vulnerability also allowed her to find empathy for others who were facing similar difficulties. Through her charity work, Diana not only gave her voice to others in need, but she also showed that vulnerability could be a tool for change.

Diana’s Legacy of Authenticity

Princess Diana’s journey to regain her voice and rediscover her authenticity was complex and multifaceted. She moved from a place of personal silence, dictated by royal expectations and personal struggles, to a position of empowerment, where she used her voice to advocate for those without a platform.

Through her charity work, candid interviews, and willingness to embrace vulnerability, Diana demonstrated that true authenticity comes from within, and that regaining your voice is an ongoing process that requires courage, self-reflection, and a willingness to break free from the constraints that limit personal expression.

Power of Reclaiming your Voice

Ultimately, Diana's legacy is a testament to the power of reclaiming your voice, embracing your authenticity, and using it to make a positive impact on the world. Her example shows that, even in the face of immense pressure, we can rediscover our true selves and use our voice to stand up for what we believe in.

1. Brene Brown 

Brene Brown Quotes

Contemporary real life people who motivate and inpsire us about reclaiming our self, regain our voice include; Brené Brown -is a research professor at the University of Houston. She is best known for her groundbreaking work on vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy. She’s the author of several bestselling books. Brené Brown’s books resonate deeply with women, though they’re universally inspiring. However, a few of her works particularly speak to issues many women face around vulnerability, self-worth, and embracing imperfection:

1. The Gifts of Imperfection – This book is all about letting go of the pursuit of perfection and embracing who we truly are. Brown encourages women to embrace their imperfections, practice self-compassion, and live authentically.

2. Daring Greatly – In this book, Brown explores how vulnerability can be a source of strength. It’s a call to women (and everyone) to be brave enough to show up fully in their lives, relationships, and careers, despite the fear of being judged or failing.

3. Rising Strong – This one is about the power of resilience and how to rise after facing failure or hardship. Brown dives into the process of "getting back up" after life knocks you down, with a special focus on how women can navigate and overcome the emotional challenges that come with vulnerability and struggle.

These books are empowering for women who are looking to live more authentically, embrace their flaws, and build deeper connections with themselves and others.

Her Bene Brown 's TED Talk on vulnerability has garnered millions of views, and she has inspired countless individuals to embrace imperfection and live more authentic lives. 

Brown emphasizes that true strength comes from vulnerability, and that embracing our flaws can lead to deeper connection, creativity, and courage. Her work encourages people to step into their own lives with more bravery and heart, knowing that it’s okay to be imperfect. She talks and writes on the importance  of staying  true to ourself and our feelings. It is essential for living a fulfilling life. She argues that, while striving for success is important, it should never come at the cost of your authenticity and sense of self-worth.

Learning and volving through Mistakes

Brené Brown । 15 Minutes for the NEXT 15 Years of Your LIFE - One of the Greatest Speeches Ever

Man in the Arena Speech - Theodore Roosevelt 1910

Berene Brown shares the "Man in the Arena Quote" by Theodre Roosevelt, and says that her desire to create something meaningful was meant to face criticism and she focused on staying true to herself, and avoiding to quite in face of harsh personal criticism from people. 

2. Susan David

Susan David is also an inspirational speaker she talks about the importance of emotional agility. Accepting all our emotions is the key to acquire emotional  agility. Just like we accept all the colors of life we have to accept ourselves as living breathing human beings  we diverse emotions. Emotional agility is the absence of pretense. It means our real authentic self, it is the ability to be real. It empowers our actions. When our actions emanate from our core values, core strength, and something solid, genuine, and authentic they have an altogether different vibe and power. We can reach this level of emotional agility by following a series of small steps. They are seemingly insignificant everyday moments but they do add up to over the course of a lifetime. The Emotional Agility Manifesto By Susan David, August 17, 2022

Ted Talk by Susan David

Psychologist Susan David shares how the way we deal with our emotions shapes everything that matters: our actions, careers, relationships, health and happiness. In this deeply moving, humorous and potentially life- changing talk, she challenges a culture that prizes positivity over emotional truth and discusses the powerful strategies of emotional agility". The gift and power of emotional courage, is an inspiring talk on the developing emotional agility. She explores how not accepting all our natural emotions works havoc on personal, family, societal, national and global levels. 

Key Takeaway 

True success is not about achieving a dream at any cost—it’s about staying aligned with your genuine  and authentic self and finding a path that reflects your core values. It also involves owning our emotions as we live our lives and developing emotional agility to live our life fully in a guilt-free way. 

Tips for Regaining Your Voice: Rediscovering Authenticity

Rediscovering your authentic voice is a powerful process of reconnecting with who you truly are, beyond the external influences, expectations, and societal pressures that often shape how we express ourselves. When we lose touch with our authenticity, we may feel disconnected from our purpose or struggle with self-doubt, but the journey to regain your voice can bring a renewed sense of confidence, clarity, and alignment with your core values.

• Understanding the Disconnect

Often, we begin to lose our voice when we prioritize pleasing others, conforming to societal norms, or seeking external validation. We try to deny our emotions, feelings and genuine self. This disconnection can occur gradually over time, starting from childhood or during times of significant change or pressure. The first step in regaining your voice is recognizing when and why you have silenced yourself. This may involve reflecting on:

• Past Experiences

There are moments in your life when you have felt misunderstood, ignored, or rejected for expressing yourself authentically.  How have those experiences shaped your willingness to speak your truth...? The unwillingness of people to listen to your truth has a very distressing emotional  and psychological  impact.

• External Pressures

The underlying  cause of such distress is the unhuman expectations placed on you by family, friends, or society. If you often find yourself compromising your beliefs, desires, or actions to meet others’ standards... you are a victim of the unrealistic and grinding expectations. 

• Internal Barriers

What gives all these misplaced  expectations  a power and hold over your mind and life is your own fear of judgment, shame, and the desire for approval. These feelings of shame, and fear of losing approval of other people can keep you from speaking your truth. Identifying these internal barriers is crucial in overcoming them. External forces have only as much power as we give them. 

Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in  

Disney's live-action The Little Mermaid

• Cultivating Self-Awareness

The next step in regaining your voice is developing a deeper understanding of yourself. Without this awareness, it is challenging to express your truth. Begin by engaging in practices that help you reconnect with your inner self, Like: 

1. Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness can help you regain your genuine self, and reclqim your voice by focusing on the present. In mindfulness your mind is in the state in which you focus your awareness. For developing  mindfulness l and making your mind focus on your present to increase your awareness meditation  can be handy. Meditation is a tool we can use to develop a regular practice of mindfulness. These practices can help you quiet irrelevant and disturbing noise around you, and allow you to tune into your authentic feelings, desires, and values.

2. Journaling

Writing can be a powerful tool for self-expression. Best way to decipher your inner-self, deep set conflicts and thought patterns is to practice writing them down. Just wrote the truth about your feelings. For your personal feelings, emotions and inner voices its good to go for journaling. Journaling allows you to articulate your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a private, unfiltered way. Over time, this practice can help you identify patterns in your thoughts and behavior that may be influencing how you express yourself.

3. Self-Reflecption

Make it your habit to regularly ask yourself reflective questions like: 

"What do I truly want in this moment?" or "What am I avoiding expressing?" 

These questions help you identify areas where you may not be fully aligned with your authentic self.

• Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt

Fear is one of the most common reasons behind why we silence our voices. Whether it’s the fear of rejection, judgment, or failure, it can prevent us from being true to ourselves. 

To overcome this fear, consider:

• Changing Your Narrative

Challenge the stories you tell yourself about failure or judgment. Reframe these stories so that they empower you instead of holding you back.

• Building Confidence

Confidence is developed over time by taking small steps outside of your comfort zone. Begin by expressing yourself in safe environments where you feel supported, and gradually expand into areas where you feel more vulnerable.

• Accepting Imperfection

Embrace the idea that your voice doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be real. Allow yourself the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them.

• Setting Boundaries

A crucial aspect of regaining your voice is learning how to set healthy boundaries. Failing to establish boundaries, often suppresses our needs and desires, which leads to resentment and frustration. 

Setting boundaries is an act of self-respect and a way to protect your authenticity. Practice saying no when necessary and assert your needs clearly and kindly.

• Communicate Clearly

Practice speaking up for yourself in ways that are direct, yet respectful. This helps build your confidence in expressing your truth without fear of confrontation or backlash.

• Respecting Others’ Boundaries

In addition to setting your own boundaries, be mindful of the boundaries of others. Authentic communication is a two-way process, and respecting other peoples' needs can foster mutual understanding and respect.

• Surrounding Yourself with Support

As you begin the journey to rediscover your authentic voice, it's important to surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you. Authenticity thrives in environments where you feel seen, heard, and supported. 

Seek out relationships with individuals who:

• Support Your Growth

Choose people who inspire you to be the best version of yourself, and who appreciate you for who you are, not who they want you to be.

• Celebrate Your Authenticity

Being around others who value authenticity can make it easier for you to express your true self, as they will appreciate you for your uniqueness.

• Challenge Yourself to Grow

Healthy relationships challenge you to reflect on your beliefs and actions, pushing you to grow and expand your understanding of yourself.

• Expressing Your Authentic Voice

Once you’ve cultivated self-awareness, overcome fears, and set boundaries, it’s time to start expressing your authentic voice in the world. This might take the form of speaking up in a meeting, sharing your opinion with loved ones, or pursuing creative endeavors that reflect your true self.

• Start Small

If expressing your voice feels overwhelming, start with small steps. Share your thoughts in a comfortable setting or in writing before speaking up in larger or more public spaces.

• Use Your Creative Outlet

Whether through writing, art, music, or another form of self-expression, creativity can be a powerful way to communicate your truth. 

Creativity

A toddler's Creative Expression

• Be Consistent

Authenticity is not a one-time event but an ongoing practice. Commit to regularly checking in with yourself and expressing your true feelings, even when it feels challenging.

• Embracing the Power of Vulnerability

Vulnerability is not a weakness, but rather a strength that allows us to connect with others in a genuine and meaningful way. When you allow yourself to be vulnerable, you open the door to authentic communication and deeper relationships. 

Embrace the discomfort that comes with vulnerability, knowing that it is through this discomfort that you can grow and rediscover your voice.

The Liberation of Authenticity

Regaining your voice and rediscovering your authenticity is not a destination but a continuous journey. As you reconnect with your true self, you will find a sense of freedom and empowerment that allows you to navigate the world with confidence and clarity. The more you speak from a place of authenticity, the more you will inspire others to do the same. Your voice matters, and reclaiming it is one of the most liberating acts you can undertake.

An Interesting Readings: 

The health benefits of creative expression

A Review of Disney's Remaking of The Little Mermaid (2023)

to be continued....