Being authentic means you'll always be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of woman

“You are not a one-in-a-million kind of a girl. You are a once-in- a-lifetime kind of woman. Remember that."

It’s powerful. It’s empowering. Since I’ve been sent an Instagram reel with this message, I’ve viewed it daily. Sometimes multiple times. It’s provoked many thoughts and ideas about where I am, who I am and what I want right now. It’s become my mantra and an important message I’ve been starting to share with women in my life.

What is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of woman? For me, it means I’m a different but authentic  version of myself in different situations. I’m a fierce warrior, loyal, brave and strong for the people in my life who matter. I’m a woman who leads with her heart; leads with love. I’m an adventurer, eager and curious to learn about the world around me and the people in it. I’m the woman who isn’t afraid to dine alone, take a class alone, go to an event alone, travel alone. I collect stories and memories. I’m soft and gentle. I’m kind. I’m generous with my time, my gifts, my things.

I’m the woman with the unforgettable smile, the boisterous laugh that sometimes includes an inelegant snort. I’m the woman who freely lets tears travel down my face. I’ll do both privately and publicly because I’m the kind of woman who owns her emotions. 

I’m unstoppable. I can be bent but not broken. There have been many times in my life I’ve been brought to my knees but I’ve always risen back up. I’ve never needed to be saved — I’m strong enough to save myself — but that doesn’t mean that I would refuse the strong arms of a loving man. As independent as I’ve always been, I’ve learned that it’s OK to share the weight of the world with someone else. It doesn’t make me weaker — only stronger — by doing so.

So many chapters in the book of my life have been written and depending on the reader I’m a hero or a villain. It doesn’t bother me in the least to painted as either. Truth is, I’m both.

What is unarguable is that I am a once-in-a-lifetime woman. No matter what lens you view me through, there’s a great chance you are going to want to meet me and know me.

I’m striving to be the woman who will turn all heads as I walk into a room. Not because I’m the most beautiful woman in the room — I absolutely won’t be — but because I’ll carry myself in a confident manner with a face that you’ve only to look at once to know I’m interesting. I have stories. I’m effortlessly cool and nerdy — often at the same time. You’ll see that in me and want to get to know me. Some will want to be my friend. Some will want to be my rival. Some will want to be my lover. Most will hope to find a connection to me and my life. 

Truthfully, I’m no different than any other woman. I’m just choosing to live my life in a way that honours me and feels genuine to me. Each woman is a once-in-a-lifetime woman if she believes in herself and what makes her unique in who she is.

Together, we are unstoppable.