You Were Made to Shine: Lady Gaga’s Journey to Living As She was Created to Be
You Were Made to Shine: Lady Gaga’s Journey to Living As She was Created to Be
In a 21st century world that constantly tells us who we should be, it takes courage to break free from societal expectations and step into the person we were uniquely created to be. Lady Gaga, one of the most iconic and successful artists of our time, knows this battle well.
Despite her fame, she has spoken openly about the toll of trying to live up to others’ expectations. In an interview shared by Entrepreneur in March 2023, Gaga explained that embracing her unique design meant realizing, “You have to be unique and different and shine in your own way.”
This profound shift didn’t just change her career. It transformed her life. Gaga’s story is a powerful reminder that true fulfillment comes not from meeting societal standards but from aligning with who God made you to be.
The Hidden Costs of Living for Others’ Expectations
For Gaga, the cost of living others’ expectations directly impacted her emotional well-being, her relationships, and loss of her identify. I know this all too well. Like, Lady Gaga, I lived according to what society expected of me, which was counter to my design, so I resonate with her struggles:
Emotional Exhaustion: The Weight of “Should” - Lady Gaga has shared how the pressure to conform left her feeling drained and disconnected. Trying to fit into someone else’s mold, whether as an artist or a person, strips us of our energy and joy.
Societal conditioning convinces us that working harder and meeting every expectation will lead to happiness. But the truth is, chasing “shoulds” leads to exhaustion, not fulfillment.
Ask yourself: Are you living by what others expect, or by who you were created to be?
Strained Relationships: Losing Connection to Others - When we focus on external validation, our relationships often suffer. Gaga has spoken about how her early career success came at a cost to her personal connections. Living out of alignment with our purpose leaves little room for meaningful relationships.
Ask yourself: Are your connections thriving, or are they strained by the weight of trying to be someone you’re not?
Loss of Identity: Forgetting Who You Are - For Gaga, the turning point came when she realized she wasn’t being true to herself. Her decision to embrace her unique gifts and personality allowed her to reconnect with her purpose and passion.
When we lose sight of who we are, life becomes a performance, leaving us feeling hollow and purposeless. But when we choose to live as we were meant to, we step into a life of clarity and impact.
Ask yourself: Are you living as you were created to be, or performing for someone else’s approval?
Breaking Free and Choosing to Shine
Lady Gaga’s story reminds us that the grind of societal expectations is not where fulfillment lies. True transformation begins when you embrace your uniqueness, let go of the “shoulds,” and shine in the way you were created to.
You don’t have to wait for a breaking point to start living as the person you were created to be. The first step is recognizing the toll of misalignment and choosing a new path.
Are You Living Out of Alignment?
The signs of misalignment often creep in gradually, leaving us disconnected and unfulfilled which often leads to burnout. Learn to recognize the red flags with my free Signs You’re Grinding Toward Burnout Information Sheet.
This guide will help you:
Spot the Warning Signs: Learn how endless work hours, irritability, and physical decline indicate you’re on the path to burnout.
Understand the Emotional Toll: Recognize how burnout fractures relationships and leaves you feeling isolated.
Recognize Loss of Purpose: Understand how feeling disconnected from what once drove you is a critical warning sign of burnout and why it leaves you feeling spiritually and emotionally adrift.
Don’t wait until the cost is too high. Start today.
Choosing to Shine
Lady Gaga’s journey shows that no amount of success or external validation can replace the joy of living as you were designed. True fulfillment comes when you step into the person you were uniquely created to be—courageously, boldly, and unapologetically.
You were made to shine in your own way.
So, let me ask you: Where are societal expectations taking its biggest toll in your life? What’s one small step you can take today to begin realigning with the life you were created to live?
Join me every Wednesday at 1 PM ET for Maverick Conversations - a space where we uncover why so many high achievers feel stuck and explore bold steps to rediscover the life you were uniquely created for.
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