Living unapologetically gets misunderstood a lot.

People see me moving boldly, telling my story out loud, owning my experiences without shame—and they assume I'm just reacting. That I speak without thinking. That I don't care who gets hit in the process.

But the truth is the exact opposite.

I am highly intentional. When I speak, I've already run through the possibilities—what I could lose, what I might trigger, who it could affect. I don't walk around broadcasting pain or calling people out just for attention. I speak from strategy, healing, and liberation. And yes, sometimes I speak from hurt—but even that is conscious. Even that is considered.

What many confuse for "boldness" is actually just clarity—a life lived with deliberate, radical ownership. And while some try to mimic it, they miss the core ingredient: consideration.

Being unapologetic is not a license to be careless. It doesn't mean you get to bulldoze people's boundaries, ignore your impact, or dismiss the ripple effect of your choices. If your "truth" leaves a trail of destruction because you didn't think it through, that's not bravery. That's negligence.

I've made my share of impulsive decisions in the past. I've spoken out without counting the cost, burned bridges trying to light my own path. But I've learned something that changed everything.

These days, before I speak, I ask myself: Would I be okay with this being done to me?

If the answer is yes, I move forward with peace. If the answer is no, I pause. That simple question has saved me from unnecessary blowback more times than I can count.

Now, I don't say all this to claim perfection—I still move fast. I'm wired that way. I make decisions on the fly, guided by instinct, spirit, and experience. But even in that speed, I've trained myself to scan the impact.

Here's what I know for sure: people are going to tell your story no matter what. Whether you're silent or outspoken, private or public, you will be misunderstood, misquoted, or misrepresented. So I've made peace with it. I'd rather be misrepresented for something I actually said than be erased by silence.

Because what hurts more than backlash is the shame that festers in silence. If you're still hiding, still hoping nobody brings up your past, still needing permission to exist, that's the part that's actually killing you—not the story, but the secrecy.

And here's where it gets tricky—the ones trying to mimic this kind of openness without the inner work end up exposing themselves. People see someone living boldly and think they can just copy the behavior without understanding what's underneath it. They start "speaking their truth" without considering their impact. They mistake vulnerability for oversharing, authenticity for recklessness, and freedom for destruction.

The result? They don't get liberation—they get chaos.

This pattern shows up everywhere, not just on social media. It's in relationships, at work, in how you move through the world every single day.

If you're constantly facing blowback that you didn't intend—maybe it's not your truth that's the issue. Maybe it's your lack of consideration.

Because here's the real secret: radical self-expression requires radical responsibility.

When you truly understand that every word creates impact, every choice ripples outward—when you consider your effect and accept the consequences—you stop playing victim to your own story.

So if you're going to live unapologetically, remember this:

You don't have to apologize for who you are. But you do have to take full responsibility for what your presence creates.

That's not weakness. That's power. That's the difference between someone who's truly free and someone who's just making noise.

The world needs your authentic voice—but it needs the wisdom that comes with it too.

Written by Ernest Lee Woods

🤲 An Invitation

You’re welcome to send me a personal question or soul inquiry- I’ll always do my utmost to offer a meaningful response.

Some questions may be explored (anonymously) in future letters, especially if they carry something universal others might need too.

You can email me here: Lisa Precious -contact@smileyblue.org