How to be natural in life?

Eliza, with her perfectly coiffed hair and meticulously planned outfits, felt like a walking paradox. On the outside, she exuded an air of polished perfection, yet inside, a constant hum of self-consciousness thrummed like a faulty engine. She craved the authenticity she saw in others, the effortless ease with which they navigated life, seemingly unburdened by the need to impress.

One day, while hiking in a secluded forest, she stumbled upon an old woman tending a vibrant garden. The woman, with dirt-stained hands and a smile as warm as the sun, radiated an undeniable genuineness. Eliza, drawn by an inexplicable magnetism, hesitantly approached.

"Beautiful garden," Eliza offered, surprised by the sincerity in her own voice.

"Aye, it is," the woman chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "But it's not just the flowers, dearie. It's the care, the love poured into the soil, that makes them bloom."

Eliza sat beside her, captivated. The woman spoke of life not as a performance, but as a dance with nature, with oneself. She spoke of embracing imperfections, of finding joy in the simple things, like the taste of rainwater or the laughter of a child.

Eliza felt a seed of change take root within her. She began by incorporating small acts of nature into her daily routine. She replaced her usual morning latte with a cup of herbal tea, savoring the earthy aroma. She traded her high heels for hiking boots, exploring hidden trails near her city

With each step into the unknown, a layer of pretense peeled away. She befriended a quirky neighbor who taught her the art of birdwatching, their shared laughter echoing through the park. She started volunteering at a local animal shelter, her heart swelling as she cuddled a rescued dog.

The changes weren't always easy. There were moments of self-doubt, of yearning for the familiar comfort of her curated life. But the woman's words echoed in her mind: "True beauty lies in being genuine, dearie, like the wildflowers that bloom freely, unafraid of the wind."

One day, at a work event, Eliza found herself amidst colleagues, their polished facades seeming to shimmer under the harsh fluorescent lights. A wave of anxiety threatened to engulf her, but she remembered the woman's garden, the vibrant colors despite the imperfections.

She took a deep breath, grounding herself in the present. Instead of her usual rehearsed jokes, she shared a genuine story about her recent hike, her voice trembling slightly at first, then gaining strength. To her surprise, her colleagues leaned in, captivated by her vulnerability.

In that moment, Eliza realized being natural wasn't about achieving perfection, but about embracing her authentic self, flaws and all. It was about finding joy in the everyday, in the connections made and the experiences shared. It was about blooming, like the wildflowers, unafraid of the wind.

Eliza's journey towards naturalness wasn't a sprint, but a gentle meander through life's untamed garden. It was a journey of shedding expectations, embracing imperfections, and discovering the vibrant colors of her true self. And as she walked this path, she realized that the most beautiful gardens weren't always the most manicured, but the ones where life bloomed freely, in all its messy, magnificent glory.