The Freedom of Being Yourself

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Welcome to The Brighter Side of Everything.

This newsletter serves a simple purpose → To help you build optimism, resilience and a solution-focused perspective.

Each week, I’ll share actionable insights that not only brighten your day but position you to be a leader within your own life and seize life’s opportunities.

Read time: 12-15 minutes.

Bright Side in Brief

What’s covered this week?

• The Freedom of Being Yourself - How to stop pretending and start connecting.

• Bright Reads - Quick links to fun or insightful articles.

• William Kamkwamba - Lighting up the darkness.

• Bookmarks - The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba.

• A Bright Idea to Consider - Simon Sinek

• A Previous Post - Five simple keys to a content life.

• Positively Hilarious - Smile like you mean it.

• Daily Gratitude Journal - Transform your daily routine through reflection.

Hello, Brighter Side readers! ☀️

As I sit down to write this week, the window’s open and I can hear the rain falling outside.

There’s something about that steady, gentle rhythm that makes everything feel a little more peaceful.

Perfect writing weather, if you ask me.

This week, we focus on the freedom of being yourself.

How dropping the act and embracing what makes you unique transforms your connections and your life.

Also, if you need a little inspiration, don’t miss this week’s feature on William Kamkwamba.

His story proves what can happen when you let curiosity lead you and refuse to give up.

No matter what anyone else thinks.

Before we dive in, I want to share a quick reminder.

The stories and lessons I write about in this newsletter stem from my own journey and my own trial and error (and trust me, there’s been plenty of both).

I’m not here to tell anyone how they should live their life.

My aim is to provide insights and perspectives that have helped me, in the hope they help someone else too.

We’re all figuring this life out as we go.

So, take what resonates and always make the right choices for you.

Because the world’s not looking for a second me.

What it needs is you, shining your brightest.

See you on the Brighter Side,

Chris

P.S. Please feel free to send me feedback on how I can improve. I respond to every email.

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The Freedom of Being Yourself

How to Stop Pretending and Start Connecting

Why do we care so much about what other people like?

It’s a question I’ve pondered for over 30 years.

Let me take you back to my childhood.

Music was often playing in our house.

Some of my fondest memories are of my family gathered around the stereo.

The living room alive with laughter as we danced, sometimes terribly, but always joyfully with a record crackling in the background.

Music, for me, has always been more than just background noise.

It’s emotional, transformative and deeply personal.

It can excite you, comfort you, educate you, help you process heartbreak, or make you feel like you’re on top of the world.

It’s the ultimate mood-setter and memory-maker.

But as I grew up, I noticed something odd.

A lot of people seemed to listen to music (and do all sorts of things, really) just to fit in.

It was like they were forcing themselves to enjoy whatever was popular, even if it didn’t really move them.

I never quite understood this.

For me, music was always about what lifted me up, not what made me blend in.

Don’t get me wrong, as a teenager in the early to mid-90s, I loved me some Pearl Jam (and still do), but I also had a soft spot for artists who didn’t exactly fit my demographic.

Like Whitney Houston and the Spice Girls.

Whitney, in my opinion, had the most extraordinary voice of all time (a hill I will die on).

And the Spice Girls?

Just pure fun and a memorable nod to that era.

I even had a favourite - Sporty Spice, obviously.

Was I embarrassed or ashamed of liking them?

Not a chance.

Even if people teased or made jokes?

Absolutely.

Why care what other people think of my music taste?

Over the years, owning my preferences has become part of who I am.

At a party, if Whitney comes on, it becomes a moment.

Everyone sings along.

My go-to karaoke song?

“I Will Always Love You.”

Why?

Because no one EVER sees it coming (unless you’ve been to karaoke with me before), and it always slaps.

And again, everyone joins in because it’s unique to the situation.

Now, you might be thinking, “Okay Chris, that’s great, but what if I don’t make any friends?”

Here’s the truth: anyone who judges you based on what you like or don’t like isn’t a true friend anyway.

That can be an uncomfortable truth to face.

When you put yourself out there, you attract your tribe, the people where nothing feels forced or fabricated.

The people with open minds, who are willing to try new things, who appreciate you for being you.

Looking back, I’m grateful I chose authenticity over conformity.

It’s allowed me to build an incredible network of genuine, quality connections that remain strong today.

When you act as you are, you attract like-minded people.

When you act as someone else, you need a different mask for every situation.

Something that is mentally draining, totally unsustainable, and honestly, not much fun.

Yet so many people do it anyway.

The Problem With Pretending

Let’s be real.

Pretending to be something you’re not is exhausting.

You might think it helps you fit in, but it can actually do the opposite.

When you hide your true interests, you’re essentially putting up a barrier between yourself and others.

This isn’t just an opinion.

Research supports that authenticity is the foundation of meaningful relationships.

People connect with the real you.

Not a version that’s trying to please everyone.

Pretending also leads to a concept called “self-alienation”.

A term for feeling disconnected from your own desires and sense of self.

Imagine constantly wearing a mask that doesn’t fit.

Over time, it wears you down.

Leading to anxiety, stress and that nagging feeling that you’re not living your truth.

And here’s the irony.

The more you try to fit in by copying others, the lonelier you feel.

Because deep down, you know you’re not being yourself.

The Magic of Owning Your Interests

Now, let’s flip the script for a second.

What if you stopped pretending to enjoy whatever’s popular just to fit in?

What if, instead, you leaned into what you actually enjoy.

No matter how niche or unexpected it might seem?

Maybe it’s jazz, indie films, hiking, painting, coding, collecting vinyl, or even kickboxing.

The list is endless, because it’s yours.

When you own your interests, you naturally start seeking out spaces and people who share those passions.

Maybe you join a running club, a book club, or an online community where your quirks are celebrated instead of hidden.

Suddenly, you’re not just having more fun.

You’re connecting with people who truly “get” you.

Shared passions then become the glue that builds stronger, deeper friendships.

And here’s the best part:

When you show up as your authentic self, you give others permission to do the same.

It’s like a breath of fresh air in a world full of masks.

How to Break the Cycle

So, how do you stop pretending and start living your truth?

Here are some easy, practical steps:

1. Notice When You’re Faking It
Start paying attention to moments when you’re going along with something just to fit in. Maybe you’re nodding along to a song you don’t like or pretending to enjoy a hobby. Ask yourself: “Am I doing this for me or someone else?”

2. Experiment With Saying No
It’s okay to say no, politely, of course. You don’t have to join every conversation or activity. Try something like, “Thanks for inviting me, but that’s not really my thing. Let’s catch up another time.” You’ll be surprised how freeing it feels.

3. Find Your People
Look for opportunities, events, clubs or online communities that revolve around your genuine interests. Don’t be afraid to go alone. Being yourself is magnetic and you’ll attract the right people.

4. Share Your Passions
Talk about what you love, even if it feels niche or “uncool.” You never know who’s waiting to geek out with you.

5. Embrace the Awkward
Being authentic will feel uncomfortable at first. That’s normal. The more you practice, the easier it gets and the more rewarding it becomes.

My Takeaway

When you stop pretending, you don’t just find better friends.

You find yourself.

You gain confidence, reduce stress and experience the joy of living authentically.

Your relationships become deeper, much deeper.

Your experiences become richer, much richer.

And your life, well, it just feels more like yours.

Next time you feel the urge to fake a smile or pretend to like something, consider the following:

The freedom of being you is worth more than any temporary approval.

What about you?

Have you ever pretended to like something just to fit in?

Or have you found joy and connection by following your true passions?

Share your stories.

They might just inspire someone else to take off their mask, too.

If any of the above felt like I was speaking to you, block 20 minutes to check out Sarah Hernholm’s video that explores this concept further:

Bright Reads

Interesting insights to ignite your inner optimist.

• Your fingers wrinkle the same way every time they’re in water.

• Why certain types of music make our brains sing, and others don’t.

• Dopamine signals when a fear can be forgotten.

• How to be an emotional leader.

• This retro cassette player is 80’s nostalgia with updated technology.

William Kamkwamba

Lighting Up the Darkness

It’s the early 2000s in rural Malawi.

The sun beats down on fields that should be green and thriving, but instead, they’re cracked and dusty.

The air is dry, stomachs are empty and hope is in short supply.

The rains haven’t come.

The crops have failed.

For families like William Kamkwamba’s, every day is a battle against hunger and uncertainty.

But in the middle of all this hardship, there’s a boy who can’t stop asking questions.

A boy whose curiosity shines even when everything else seems dark.

Curiosity in the Face of Crisis

William was just 14 when famine hit his village.

His family, like so many others, couldn’t afford to keep him in school.

But even after leaving the classroom, William’s hunger for knowledge didn’t fade.

He started spending his days at the local library.

A tiny room stacked with a few donated books, many of them old and worn.

It was there, flipping through a science book called Using Energy, that William stumbled on a picture of a windmill.

The caption said windmills could pump water and generate electricity.

For most kids, that might have been a neat fact.

For William, it was a lifeline.

He thought, “If I can build one of these, maybe I can help my family. Maybe I can bring light and water to our home.”

The Road to the Windmill

Knowing what a windmill is and building one from scratch are two very different things.

Especially when you have no money, no tools and no one who believes you can do it.

William started scavenging for parts.

Old bicycle frames, broken radios, bits of PVC pipe and anything else he could find in the village dump.

He became known as the kid who was always digging through trash and people laughed at him.

Even his own mother worried he was losing his mind.

But William kept at it.

He studied the diagrams in his borrowed books, tinkered with his finds.

And slowly, piece by piece, he started to build his windmill.

Lighting Up the Impossible

Then came the day that changed everything.

William’s homemade windmill, built from scrap, held together with hope and determination, finally stood tall in his family’s yard.

He connected the wires.

Turned the blades and watched as a small light bulb flickered to life.

For the first time ever, his home had electricity.

The laughter and skepticism turned to awe.

Neighbors came from all around to see the miracle.

William’s windmill didn’t just light a bulb, it lit up the whole village with possibility.

His family was overjoyed.

Some in disbelief, some in tears.

Soon after that, he was using the windmill to pump water.

Helping his family’s crops survive and inspiring others to dream bigger.

More Than Just a Windmill

William’s story didn’t end there.

His invention caught the attention of journalists, scientists and eventually, the world.

He went on to share his story on the TED stage, write a bestselling book (The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind), and even see his life turned into a Netflix film.

But what sticks with me most isn’t the fame or the inventions.

It’s the spirit behind it all.

William’s resilience.

His optimism.

And his belief that even one person, armed with curiosity and determination, can change everything.

What We Can Learn From William

• Education is powerful. You don’t need fancy schools or expensive gadgets to learn. A library card and a curious mind can change your life.

• Perseverance beats doubt. People might laugh or question your dreams. Keep going anyway.

• Innovation starts small. Big changes often begin with one person, one idea, and a lot of trial and error.

• Helping others lifts everyone. William didn’t just help his own family, he brought hope to his whole village.

My Takeaway

William Kamkwamba’s story is proof that you don’t have to wait for perfect conditions to make a difference.

Even in the most challenging times.

With the odds stacked against you.

You can find a way to bring light, both literally and figuratively.

To the world around you.

So next time you’re faced with a challenge, ask yourself:

What could you build, create or change if you followed your curiosity and refused to give up?

William’s story shows us that inside each of us is the potential to spark hope, no matter where we start.

If you have an extra 5 minutues, enjoy this TED talk from William himself:

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Bookmarks

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

by William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer

Now that you’ve learned William’s story, if you’re anything like me, you probably still feel a spark of inspiration.

And maybe a little awe.

After writing the above piece on William, I decided to read his book - The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope this past weekend.

The book dives even deeper into William’s world, and trust me, it’s one of those rare reads that leaves you rethinking what’s possible.

Whether you’re staring down a big dream or just the pile of “junk” in your garage.

His memoir follows William’s journey from a drought-stricken village in Malawi, through his self-taught experiments with science, to building a windmill that changed his family’s life and inspired people around the globe.

Why It’s Worth a Read

1. Innovation Born from Adversity
William’s story is a masterclass in creative problem-solving. When a devastating famine hit his village and school became a luxury his family couldn’t afford, he didn’t just accept his fate. Instead, he haunted the local library, devoured old science textbooks, and started tinkering with scraps. The result? A windmill that brought electricity (and hope) to his family. If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t do this, I don’t have the right tools,” William’s story will make you think again.

2. The Power of Curiosity and Education
This book is a love letter to curiosity. Despite every obstacle, William’s hunger to learn reminds us that education isn’t just about fancy degrees or shiny classrooms. Sometimes, it’s about asking the right questions, following your nose and refusing to let go of a wild idea.

3. Community and Resilience
William’s journey isn’t just about one boy and his windmill. It’s about a family, a village, and the ripple effect of hope. The book beautifully captures how one person’s determination can spark change for an entire community. Plus, it’s a gentle reminder that sometimes your neighbours think you’re odd. Until your “crazy” idea lights up the night, that is.

4. Real-Life Inspiration (No Superheroes Required)
There are no capes or billionaire benefactors here. Just grit, heart and a lot of trial and error. William’s story proves that you don’t need superpowers to make a difference. Sometimes, it takes a willingness to push through challenges to achieve something remarkable.

What Can We Learn From William

• Resourcefulness is a Superpower: Next time you’re tempted to toss something out, ask yourself: “What would William do?” You might just invent your own solution.

• Never Underestimate a Library Card: Access to information can change lives. Sometimes all you need is a good book and a curious mind.

• Share Your Wild Ideas: Even if people think you’re a little out there, your idea might be the spark someone else needs.

• Start Small, Dream Big: William didn’t set out to change the world, he just wanted to help his family. Big change often starts with small, persistent steps.

My Takeaway

Reading The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind left me feeling genuinely inspired and, okay, a little sheepish about anything I have ever given up on in life.

William’s story is a beautiful reminder that creativity and hope can thrive even in the toughest circumstances.

The next time I’m faced with a challenge (or a pile of “useless” stuff), I’ll be channeling my inner William and asking, “What can I build with what I have?”

One word of warning, some sections of the book move a bit slowly, especially when describing the technical details.

But honestly, the heart and hope in these pages more than make up for it.

If you’re looking for a book that will lift your spirits and spark your imagination, this is it.

William’s story is a bright, gusty wind of hope—and I can’t recommend it enough.

Got a recommendation?

Please share; I'm always keen for great suggestions.

A Bright Idea to Consider

Simon Sinek

The Lesson

The future can feel intimidating.

There’s no denying it.

We all have moments when we look ahead and feel a knot in our stomach.

Maybe it’s a big change on the horizon, or just the uncertainty of what next week will bring.

Sinek’s words hit home: “The future is only scary if we try to avoid it.”

It’s true.

The more we dodge what’s coming, the more our worries grow.

But when we turn and face the future.

Even just a little at a time.

It loses some of its power.

Practical Tips for Facing the Future

• Name Your Worries:
  Take a few minutes to write down exactly what’s making you anxious about the future. Be specific. Whether it’s a conversation you’re dreading, a deadline, or a big unknown. Often, seeing your concerns on paper makes them feel less overwhelming and gives you a starting point.

• Take Small Steps:
  Break down what’s ahead into the smallest possible actions. If you’re worried about a new job, maybe your first step is updating your resume or reaching out to someone for advice. Tackling one tiny task at a time builds momentum and confidence.

• Talk It Out:
  Share your thoughts with a friend, family member or mentor. Sometimes just saying your fears out loud helps you see them more clearly. Also, you might get helpful advice or reassurance you hadn’t considered.

• Focus on What You Can Control:
  Make a list of things you can influence and things you can’t. Put your energy into what’s within your control. Preparing, learning, or making decisions. Let go of the rest as best you can.

• Celebrate Each Step:
  Be sure to acknowledge every bit of progress, no matter how small. Did you make a phone call you were avoiding? Did you take the first step toward a big change? Give yourself credit for moving forward.

My Takeaway

Here’s what I keep learning: The future isn’t something to outrun or hide from.

It’s something to meet, one step at a time.

When I stop avoiding what’s ahead and face it, even with shaky hands, I discover I’m stronger and more adaptable than I thought.

Often, the things I feared most turn out to be opportunities I hadn’t considered.

Or at least aren’t as overwhelming as I imagined.

So, if you worry about what’s next, remember:

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

Just be willing to look ahead, take a breath and keep moving forward.

That’s how we build courage and confidence.

By showing up for our future, again and again.

What’s one small way you can face the future this week?

A previous post …

Positively Hilarious

A quick laugh as we part ways this week.

Daily Gratitude Journal

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Start (or end) each day with a moment of reflection and positivity.

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It's a powerful cycle of hope and optimism.

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• Thoughtful prompts to inspire daily gratitude.

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