Authenticity Isn’t a Performance—And Vulnerability Isn’t a Content Strategy.
In a digital world that often rewards exposure over intention, it’s easy to get swept up in the pressure to “be vulnerable” online. Especially for coaches, healers, creatives, and anyone building a soul-led business, the line between sharing meaningfully and performing for engagement can get very blurry.
Let’s set the record straight:
Authenticity is not a performance.
Vulnerability is not a content strategy.
These are sacred expressions of our truth—not tools to be manipulated for reach, likes, or algorithmic validation.
The Truth About "Showing Up"
After a recent Instagram post, I found myself reflecting on what it really means to show up authentically. I shared that authenticity isn’t something we “do”—it’s something we allow. And when we allow our true selves to be seen, even in small ways, we create space for genuine connection.
But that doesn’t mean we need to pour our hearts out on the internet every time we log on. Vulnerability is powerful, yes—but it’s also deeply personal, and it deserves to be honored on your terms.
Trusting Your Unique Pace
There’s no gold star for emotional exposure. And if you’re forcing yourself to share something that your body, intuition, or nervous system isn’t ready for... that’s not authenticity. That’s self-betrayal in service to performance.
Instead, I believe in stretching the vulnerability muscle little by little, in ways that feel safe, intentional, and aligned. When you do that, something beautiful happens:
You begin to attract the right people—not because you bared your soul to gain attention, but because you showed up in a way that resonates energetically with those who are meant to connect with you.
This is what I call energetic resonance. ✨
It’s not about selling yourself. It’s about being yourself—and trusting that’s enough.
The Risk of Oversharing
On the flip side, when we overshare—or share prematurely from a place that still feels raw or unresolved—it can create energetic confusion. We may attract clients, collaborators, or followers who are not actually aligned with us... because they’re connecting with a version of us that was curated to meet the demands of an algorithm, not the truth of our essence.
And then we wonder why we feel drained. Disconnected. Off.
Finding Your Balance
So how do we find the balance between being open and being overexposed?
It starts with asking yourself:
Am I sharing this because it feels like truth, or because I think I should?
Does this feel generative and grounding—or activating and performative?
Am I doing this for connection... or for validation?
Remember: you don’t owe the internet your vulnerability.
But your aligned audience does deserve your presence.
Show up in a way that honors both.
Reflection Question:
Have you struggled to find a balance with showing up authentically vs. oversharing online? What has helped you feel grounded in your truth?
All my best,
Cristan
