I’m writing this blog post from beautiful Thailand, where I’m currently enjoying mid-term break with my husband and two teenage boys. As we settle into our peaceful, low-key holiday, I found myself hesitating to share this experience on social media. This hesitation wasn’t due to a lack of gratitude or excitement; rather, it was an intentional choice to honour the sacredness and privacy of our family time.

In our increasingly connected world, personal stylists and coaches are often encouraged—even pressured—to share more of themselves publicly. Vulnerability is praised as essential, and authenticity is rightly valued above polished perfection. While I agree with these sentiments wholeheartedly, I also believe in the critical importance of boundaries and the freedom to keep some aspects of life private and personal.

​As my boys have transitioned into their teenage years, their desires and preferences have naturally evolved. They no longer wish to be featured on social media, and I fully respect and honour their choices. Beyond respecting their privacy, this shift aligns closely with my own values: family connection, quiet moments, and authentic interactions that aren’t performed for an audience.

Yet, it’s easy—even tempting—to get sidetracked when scrolling through social media. As business owners and personal stylists, we’re bombarded with images of glamorous lifestyles, exotic destinations, and lavish events. These portrayals often give rise to a subtle yet persistent pressure to conform, to become more glamorous, attend high-profile events, or project a more lavish lifestyle. At times, I've found myself wondering if perhaps I need to be more glamorous, get more dressed up, or attend balls and glamorous parties. But here’s my truth—I genuinely find these events exhausting. They are simply not my scene.

​There is absolutely no shade or judgment intended towards anyone who thrives in these environments. If you enjoy glitz, glamour, balls, and parties, that's fantastic! For some stylists, especially those serving niches or audiences where elegance, glamour, or an elevated look is deeply valued, presenting themselves in that way can be entirely authentic and perfectly aligned. As one stylist commented recently, having a glamorous image can indeed coexist with authenticity and even a quiet life, provided it truly reflects who you are.

​I also recognize the importance of being professional and appropriately polished when the context requires it. Professional profile photos, public speaking engagements, or certain client interactions naturally require a more polished appearance. As Diane, another stylist shared with me recently, it's important to look professional in specific contexts, while everyday relatability and authenticity remain key to connecting deeply with clients. In fact, she noted that some of her highest engagement has come from relatable, casual images of herself rather than glamorous shots, underscoring the value clients place on authenticity and approachability.

If you're looking to explore a career as a personal stylist, I recommend a few resources to get stared. First sign up for my weekly newsletters here. Next, I recommend you get yourself over to facebook and join my community of personal stylists over there. I provide lots of training and free resources there too. Finally, I invite you to drop me an email at aileen@laneimageconsultants.com and let's start a conversation about the next best steps for you.

This realization was a pivotal moment in my journey as a personal stylist and, later, as a business coach to personal stylists. Early in my styling career, I struggled with feeling out of place. The industry often promotes a certain image—one of sophistication, glamour, and constant exposure to high fashion and luxury events. I didn’t naturally gravitate toward these things, and at times I worried about how that might impact my success.

But over time, I discovered an empowering truth: success doesn't require me—or you—to conform to any stereotype. You don’t need to be glamorous to build a thriving business. You don't have to live an exotic, picture-perfect life or share every detail of your private moments online. Your authenticity, quiet strength, and genuine connection are far more powerful than any staged, glossy image.

Today, as a business coach who once walked the stylist’s path, I support stylists in creating sustainable, impactful, and deeply fulfilling businesses aligned with who they genuinely are. I help my clients recognize that success and glamour aren’t inherently linked. You can be deeply impactful and successful while living a quiet, peaceful life.

​If gardening brings you joy, immerse yourself in gardening. Share your love of flowers, your reflections, or your peaceful gardening moments—if you choose to share anything at all. If spending quiet holidays with family is your preference, honour that. You’re under no obligation to post pictures of your resort, your meals, or your family to validate your success or prove your value.

What matters most is congruence—living in alignment with your values and personal truths. Your clients and audience will resonate deeply with your authenticity, even if that means fewer glimpses into your personal life. True vulnerability isn’t about exposing every detail of your world; it’s about sharing meaningful insights, lessons, and experiences that genuinely reflect who you are.

Many stylists I’ve coached have initially felt pressured to present themselves differently from who they truly are. They believed they needed glamorous wardrobes, high-profile events, or constant visibility on social media to succeed. However, the stylists who experience lasting success and fulfillment are those who embrace their authentic selves, attract aligned clients, and build businesses around what genuinely brings them joy.

Your ideal clients—those you’ll love working with—will appreciate you exactly as you are. They won’t demand glamour if glamour isn’t your thing. Instead, they’ll connect with your sincerity, your grounded presence, and the genuine passion you have for making a difference, quietly and powerfully.

​When I made peace with my preferences and let go of the glamour-driven narrative, my business thrived. I became happier, more relaxed, and more genuinely connected with clients who deeply valued my approach. My business grew steadily not because I was constantly visible or glamorous but because I was deeply aligned with my message and consistently made meaningful connections.

So, here’s my encouragement to you: You can thrive exactly as you are. Embrace your low-key life, your quiet evenings, your simple pleasures. Celebrate the things that truly matter to you without feeling obligated to share everything publicly. You don’t have to be the center of attention to have an immense impact.

In fact, embracing your true self and honouring your personal values creates the most significant and lasting impact of all. It sets a powerful example for your clients and audience, demonstrating that success doesn’t come from performing or conforming—it comes from authenticity, integrity, and genuine connection.

From my peaceful corner of Thailand, I encourage you to trust yourself. Share only what feels congruent and comfortable. Know that you are enough exactly as you are, whether you're enjoying a quiet family holiday, tending your garden, or simply savouring quiet, meaningful moments.

Your quiet, authentic voice is incredibly powerful, and it resonates more deeply than any glamorous image ever could. Your success and impact don’t depend on public displays—they depend on your integrity, your genuine care for your clients, and your authentic self-expression.

​So, embrace your beautiful, low-key life. It’s more than enough—it’s exactly what your clients, your business, and the world need most❣️