Show Me Your Real Self and Your Real Face

PRICE OF EVENT: 200 THB

#### The Philosophy: Wholehearted Living

This workshop is grounded in the groundbreaking research of Dr. Brené Brown and the principles of Wholehearted Living.
Brown’s research reveals that you cannot have true courage without vulnerability—defined as uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. To live "Wholeheartedly" is to engage with the world from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage to be imperfect, to set boundaries, and to allow ourselves to be seen—really seen—even when there are no guarantees.

#### What to Expect

This is not a lecture; it is a Socratic dialogue. We will move beyond small talk and surface-level interactions to explore:

• The Numbing Cycle: Why we try to sedate our pain, and how that inadvertently kills our joy.
• The Armor: Dismantling the walls of cynicism, perfectionism, and "cool" that keep us isolated.
• The Shift: Moving from "What will people think?" to "I am enough."

Come prepared to drop the mask. Come prepared to investigate the difference between fitting in and true belonging.

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#### Your Facilitators

Dr. Stefan Rucman & Jen Ransom Guided by the combined insights of Dr. Stefan Rucman and Jen Ransom, this session creates a safe, structured "arena" for deep inquiry. Together, they will facilitate a space where we can challenge our own defenses and explore the psychology of connection with rigor and empathy.

### Phase 1: The "Filter" vs. The Face (The Numbing)

Theme: Stop Numbing & Perfectionism
The Setup: "We live in the age of the 'Filter.' Not just on Instagram, but in our personalities. We smooth out our anger, we brighten our boredom, and we crop out our sadness. We present a face that is numb to pain, but therefore dead to joy."
The Socratic Inquiry:

• Does the "face" you show the world actually protect you, or does it suffocate you?
• If you met your own "public persona" at a party, would you actually like them? Or would you find them fake?
• The Provocation: "Is 'I'm fine' the biggest lie we tell, or is it a necessary social lubricant?"

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### Phase 2: The Mask of "Cool" (The Armor)

Theme: Letting Go of Cynicism and Being "Chill"
The Setup: "The most popular mask in modern dating and friendship is the 'Chill' mask. The face that says 'I don't care that much,' 'I have options,' or 'I’m not pressed.' This is the mask of the Cynic. It protects us from rejection, but it guarantees isolation."
The Socratic Inquiry:

• Why have we decided that caring is embarrassing?
• Is your "coolness" actually just a sophisticated form of fear?
• The Provocation: "Who is braver: The person who acts like they don't need anyone, or the person who admits they are lonely?"

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### Phase 3: The Shadow Work (The Shame)

Theme: Sharing Shame to Kill it
The Activity: "The Split Face" Ask participants to take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle.

• Left Side (The Billboard): Write 3 adjectives people think describe you (e.g., Strong, Successful, Happy).
• Right Side (The Basement): Write 3 adjectives you fear you actually are (e.g., Fraud, Lost, Needy).

The Socratic Inquiry:

• Look at the right side of your paper. If you showed this side to your partner or best friend, what is the worst thing that could happen?
• What is the best thing that could happen?
• The Provocation: "We think people love us for the Left Side (The Billboard). But is it possible they can only truly connect with the Right Side?"

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### Phase 4: The Real Face (The Imperfection)

Theme: Accepting Imperfection as Connection
The Setup: "Wabi-sabi is the Japanese view that beauty is found in things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. A cracked bowl is more valuable because it has a history. Your 'Real Face' has lines, scars, and history."
The Socratic Inquiry:

• Can you name a specific flaw in someone you love that actually makes you love them more?
• If we achieved the "perfection" we are all chasing, would we still be human?
• The Provocation: "Are we trying to be loved, or are we just trying to be admired? Because you can be admired from a distance, but you can only be loved up close."

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### 🏁 Closing Ritual: The Unmasking

The Challenge: Ask everyone to turn to the person next to them (or in small groups). They must finish this sentence:

• "The impression I try to give is ________, but the truth is ________."

The Final Takeaway:

> "The world has enough shiny, perfect, happy masks. What the world is starving for—what we are starving for—is your real face. The one that struggles, the one that hopes, and the one that is enough."