Sometimes, the world feels like a giant, noisy marketplace where everyone is trying to sell us a different version of ourselves. We are told how to act, how to dress, and even how to feel. Denise Levertov’s beautiful words remind us that the most delicious, most satisfying flavor in life isn't found in meeting someone else's expectations, but in the profound sweetness of embracing our own true essence. To be glad of who we are, without apology or hesitation, is the ultimate form of self-nourishment.

In our everyday lives, this often looks like a quiet battle against the urge to conform. We might find ourselves scrolling through social media, feeling a pang of inadequacy because our lives don't look like a polished photograph. We might stay silent in a meeting to avoid being seen as too bold, or we might suppress a hobby because it feels too unconventional. We spend so much energy trying to smooth out our edges so we can fit into the cracks of society, forgetting that those very edges are what make us unique and beautiful.

I remember a time when I felt quite lost, much like a little duckling trying to swim against a very strong current. I was trying so hard to be the version of myself that I thought everyone else found impressive. I was organized, serious, and always composed. But inside, I felt hollow and quite bitter. It wasn't until I allowed myself to embrace my natural clumsiness, my love for silly jokes, and my messy creative process that I felt that 'sweetness' Levertov speaks of. When I stopped performing and started simply being, the saltiness of life's hardships became much easier to bear because I was anchored in my own truth.

Finding this joy takes practice. It is a slow, gentle process of unlearning all the things we were told we shouldn't be. It means looking in the mirror and choosing to celebrate the parts of us that are unconventional, soft, or even a little bit strange. It is about finding peace in our own company and recognizing that our identity is not a project to be fixed, but a masterpiece to be appreciated.

Today, I want to invite you to take a deep breath and check in with yourself. Where are you holding back your true colors? Perhaps you can start by doing one small thing today that feels authentically you, even if no one else sees it. Let yourself taste the sweetness of your own existence.