The Importance of Being Earnest - I don’t mean the movie, I mean real life.
Being earnest, being sincere, being real and being genuine.
Somewhere along the line, we learned to hide the truth about how we feel.
To stay strong, to keep going, to not rock the boat.
And in doing so, we trained our nervous system to stay on alert – always managing impressions, always performing, rarely relaxing into who we really are.
But neuroscience shows us that when we speak honestly and connect genuinely, our brains release oxytocin, the bonding chemical. Oxytocin lowers stress hormones like cortisol and signals to the nervous system, You’re safe.
In real-life experience, it is even clearer. When you’re earnest, people relax around you, conversations become human instead of transactional, and trust builds without effort.
Emotional honesty is not weakness; it’s not oversharing, nor is it vulnerability for its own sake.
Its alignment, its safety, its connection. It’s the moment our brain and body stop fighting each other.
Sincerity strengthens our brain. In a world full of noise, filters, and performance, maybe the bravest thing we could do is to say what is true, while being mindful not to hurt others.
Because when you speak earnestly, people feel safe with you. And that’s where every meaningful relationship begins.
Let’s talk
The Importance of Being Earnest.