⏳ Erebus Growing | 0013 - Life is full of characters

Welcome to Erebus Growing, a weekly email where I share little snippets of life to help you change and grow into your highest life.

This week was the first time I talked with someone about how I tend to play the introverted character in my life.

It’s an easy mask for me to slip on because I can just watch and observe. I don’t have to worry about if others will approve because I’ve given them nothing to work with.

But this week, I talked about it with a colleague. And we both came to an understanding that we do the same thing.

And I’m going to make a commitment to stop doing it as much as I can.

It’s just a character, so that means I can change it up more than I realize.

I can be an extroverted person simply because I want to.

That was a huge mental step this week for me as I change my life towards intention.

An unexpected but long-awaited lesson.

👨🏻‍💻 Meditation

It’s only when you’re alone that you’re truly yourself.

You change who you are, even if you say you don’t, depending on who you’re around.

It’s an unconscious thing—you look for subtle clues and moments of approval or disapproval from those you’re around.

You learn what others like, and don’t, and ensure that you adjust yourself in their presence.

It’s why bringing two separate groups of friends together is such an awkward meeting.

You play a character all of the time.

I play the introverted character a lot. I’m learning not to as often, but it’s a comfortable character.

It’s served me throughout my life. Protected me at times and caused issues at others.

But it’s a character.

I know this because when the need calls, I can step out and play another character—the confident character.

We all adjust to what we “need” based on what we believe.

If you think you’re unconfident when looking for a life partner, you’ll play that character and all of the mindset(s) that come along with it.

Time alone is the only place you’re likely to stop playing all characters.

It’s the only place you may be comfortable enough to just be you.

Of course, the challenge here is that all of these characters are you.

And you are them.

But it’s time alone that allows you to see all of this.

You’ll never regret it.

📚 Inspiration and Resources
Every week we all consume content and I share my favorites here.

Watch.
I tend to watch a lot of YouTube videos. They’re essentially background noise for me. One that caught me this week, and has sent me to a number of different channels as a result, is a video where the creator, wAw Creator, has built a remarkably life-like diorama of a scene from House of the Dragon, a series I have yet to watch. Give it a watch here.

Read.
I found a new article from Tiago Forte as I was looking for a different one to share today about reviewing notes. Reading through this article that’s a review of the book How To Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens, I’m struck by just how much there is to learn about knowledge management that I just wasn’t taught in school or college. It’s astonishing, really. Give it a read here.

📓 Journaling Prompt
Journaling is one of the most important things to do when exploring our own lives. A new prompt for you to use this week is below.

When is the last time you truly spent time alone? What came from it?

Until next time, I wish you enough and send you off with love and a sense of urgency in your life.