This is a retelling of a fairytale I wrote for my younger self — the boy who never dreamed of rescuing a princess, but quietly longed for a prince. A boy who was misunderstood, who spent years trying to find where he belonged in a world that told him to hide.How do you make choices when social pressure demands that you conform? When every “no,” every “you shouldn’t,” every “this is wrong” tries to drown out your truth?This story is about choosing to live authentically — even when it costs everything. It’s about walking through silence, rejection, and loneliness, brushing off the dust of shame, and continuing to walk forward, even when no one else understands the weight you carry.The Boy Who Wanted to Be Cinderella is for every boy who, like me, was told they were wrong for loving differently. For anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or unloved. And for anyone who still dares to dream of love, truth, and belonging.“A Boy Who Wanted to Be Cinderella is the heartfelt story of Ivo — a gentle and courageous young man who dares to dream of true love, even in a world that tells him boys shouldn’t. When he meets George, a kind soul who quietly returns his feelings, Ivo feels hope for the first time. But George, bound by family tradition and expectations, struggles to express what his heart truly feels.Despite loving Ivo deeply, George hides behind duty — until the night of the royal ball, when he is finally confronted by the one person who sees him for who he really is. It’s in this moment that George realises no tradition, no expectation, can replace the ache of a silenced heart.To live authentically and love freely may sound simple, but what happens when the weight of obligation buries the truth? This story explores the quiet bravery it takes to reveal one’s real heart — and the deep yearning to be seen, chosen, and loved for who we are”.If someone you know might be going through something similar, share this story with them. You never know — it might be the light they need to keep going. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authenticitystudio.substack.com

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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