Let go of who you are supposed to be is about shedding the exhausting armor of societal expectations. It’s a call to stop performing and start living from a place of authenticity. This single shift can unlock profound personal freedom.
Share Image Quote:Table of Contents
Meaning
At its core, this quote is an invitation to stop living for the approval of others and to release the rigid, pre-scripted identity you feel pressured to maintain.
Explanation
Look, we all walk around with this mental blueprint in our heads. The perfect employee, the ideal parent, the “together” friend, the person who has it all figured out. Brene Brown’s genius is naming that blueprint for what it is: a cage. It’s a cage built from “supposed to’s.” You’re supposed to have a certain kind of career, you’re supposed to look a certain way, you’re supposed to always be positive and productive. Letting go isn’t about giving up. It’s the ultimate act of rebellion. It’s trading that heavy, ill-fitting armor for your own skin. And let me tell you, the relief is palpable.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Success (341) |
| Topics | expectation (16), letting go (5) |
| Literary Style | imperative (6) |
| Emotion / Mood | liberating (29) |
| Overall Quote Score | 75 (124) |
Origin & Factcheck
This powerful line comes directly from Brené Brown’s 2010 book, The Gifts of Imperfection. It’s a cornerstone of her research on wholehearted living. You might sometimes see it floating around the internet misattributed to other self-help figures, but its true home is in Brown’s work on vulnerability and courage.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Gifts of Imperfection (46) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
Official Website |Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube |
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Let go of who you are supposed to be |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2010; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781592858491; Last edition. Number of pages. |
| Where is it? | Approximate page from 2010 Hazelden edition |