To kick off the new year, I thought I’d reintroduce myself on here! So, this week’s FreeToBeFeature is me, Fi.

Name/Age/Pronouns: Fiona (aka Fi), 19, she/her/hers 

Hobbies: running, hiking, writing, reading, trying to get back into piano 

How do you think you come across to others?:

 I think I come across as confident, loud, happy, and maybe even a bit weird. I hope to come off as kind, approachable, and thoughtful as well. I’ll also add wholesome to the list…people tend to call me that. 

What do you think people wrongly think of you?: 

Going off of my previous response, I struggle with the notion that others perceive me as confident. While it is a daily goal of mine to speak to myself with kindness and build my self esteem, imposter syndrome definitely rears its ugly head when someone compliments my confidence. I can be a big over-thinker, to the point where I am walking to class or into a party, all the while giving myself a pep talk. People don’t see all the messy thoughts reverberating through my head, and I almost feel like I’m being sold short when someone says “oh she’s just so confident!”  I love acting with self-confidence, but I think people are remiss when they think it’s easy or I’m just naturally optimistic and happy. 

What are you looking to attract more of into your life?:

I am looking to attract more PEACE into my life! We attract what we embody, and I can’t think of a worthier pursuit than embodying peace. Actually, I also would like to attract more love, because it’s a lifelong goal of mine to embody love. I think love and peace are abounding all around us, and I want to live in such a way that opens my eyes up to observing them in all their various forms. 

How would you describe your relationship with yourself?:

Ah. This is a good one. My relationship with myself is my most favorite one of all. I used to avoid my own company; I didn’t think highly of myself so instead of addressing that, I sought after everyone else’s love and validation and approval. Finally, at some point I got fed up: it was then that I deepened my faith & embarked on my spiritual journey. I learned that the only thing hating/avoiding myself guarantees is me having WAY LESS FUN! Internalizing the truth—I am enough, I am who I was created to be in the image of love, I am designed to share my talents with the world, and that I am not “special,” and no one else is (we are all equal)—has enabled me to practice compassion with myself. I can discern my God self (the voice of love and intuition — Gabby Bernstein calls this her ING) from my ego (shadow self that keeps us “safe” but really prevents us from growing) aka my inner b!tch voice. This was when it allll changed. 

What makes you feel loved?: 

My love languages can be summarized as—but are not limited to—the following:

🤍someone reading a book I recommended for them

🤍someone sharing a book/article/podcast/meme with me (the tenderness of “this made me think of you”) 

🤍handwritten cards/letters

🤍personal invitations 

🤍people remembering little details I’ve told them 

All-time fav scent?: 

The smell as I’m finishing the drive to Montauk, roll my window down, and smell the crisp ocean air. Second place: the perfume my mom wore when I was little. Third place: freshly washed and folded laundry. 

Soundtrack of your life?:

Free to Be Me by Francesca Battistelli. Story time: My godmother, my Aunt Kate, burned each of my sisters and I a mix. On the CD labelled “Fiona’s Fun Mix” —if my memory is serving me correctly—was this song. Ever since I have loved it, and it’s in part how this account got its name! 

Here’s to all of us becoming our freest selves.🤟✨#freetobeyou