How Mariah Carey Spoke Up & Shared Her Truth: People will Love the Authentic You!

Recently, Mariah Carey shared her truth about having Bipolar Disorder. While I cannot speak directly to this disease, I know that speaking my truth, sharing my story and seeking the support from friends and family is an act of bravery and it's through this courageous act that I have awakened self-acceptance and self-compassion. My transparency has allowed my friends and families to know the real me, understand me and love me.

 In the People magazine article, Carey shares “Until recently I lived in denial and isolation and in constant fear someone would expose me”.

This hidden fear of being exposed is something I think we can all relate to. Be it mental illness, lack of confidence or feeling overwhelmed, I have worried about letting other people know I am not perfect. I have worried that since I cannot do it all, I will disappoint others. It has felt like carrying around a heavyweight that won’t go away. Speaking out about human struggles can be scary. Hiding my humanity made me feel like I had to hide a secret. It was isolating. Oftentimes, I felt phony telling everyone I was fine when deep down, I knew I was not fine.

As Mariah Carey has bravely done by voicing her fears, her struggles, and her obstacles, I found that I was able to begin the process of releasing the grip of that heavy weight of humanity.

When you choose to share your truth it will not be easy. It’s not meant to be. It will feel awkward at first and you may bumble about as I did. But, speaking out, letting your tribe, your friends, family, co-workers, other women know what you have been struggling with can bring together a genuine community of shared experience. My experience is that we do not need to relate directly to one another’s specific struggle, but we all know what it is like to have an obstacle to overcome. I hope that you will be surprised, as I was, with the support and “me too’s” you’ll receive when you do Speak Up. What happens next can truly be life altering.

Carey shares “I put positive people around me and I got back to doing what I love”. In speaking up, and opening up about her diagnosis, Carey was able to find her way back to her passion.

Speaking Up and Standing Up are two pillars of the SMART Movement. By sharing your obstacles; big or small that may be standing in your way of success and happiness, you will start a conversation that may just change your perspective and your life. And it all starts with making a decision. Really, making THE decision, that being afraid of your truth is no longer going to control the momentum in your life or business. With SMART is the New Perfect, we are here to help guide you through this process. It starts with you....you do not need to do it alone!

So, let’s Speak Up! Let’s Stand Up! And like Mariah Carey, let’s get back to doing what it is that we love to do!

Imperfectly yours,