Karen Aydt - My Orange Personality

I recently found myself, again, being told to change. That who I am isn’t ok.

And I was considering changing. IMAGINE!

It took me back to when I was a little girl. My family didn’t understand me. I was told “don’t cry, don’t speak, don’t be loud, don’t sing, don’t be creative.”

I was the black sheep of the family. I felt left out, like there was something wrong with me, that I wasn’t good enough. I lived most of my life being who I was told to be, being who society expected me to be. I didn’t know any different, but I knew there was something missing. Then, True Colours CHANGED MY LIFE!

That day, almost 20 years ago, I discovered the real me had been buried, and I began the journey of owning who I am. Through my training with True Colours International, I have learned the language of “Karen.” I have learned how I am hard wired. My colour spectrum is ORANGE, BLUE, GOLD, and last, GREEN.

Knowing this easy to understand information has provided me with a language of relatedness, understanding and connection. CONNECTION TO ME…first! A new way to see me, look at and understand me! Awareness, confidence, self-acceptance and self-love; this is what I have gained. With this renewed sense of confidence, I have all of me to give to my family, friends, clients and to the WORLD. I have a language that explains me in vivid colour.

Now it’s happening again. In 2020. During a very difficult time in our world when people are feeling uncertain and vulnerable. People are under a lot of strain and judging each other more than ever. I am hearing "don’t smile too much, don’t have too much fun, don’t be too playful (maybe people will think you are flirty), don’t be yourself (people might get the wrong idea)".

There is NO WAY I am going back to NOT being me. For others! NO WAY! I am authentically and unapologetically me!!! 😊😊😊😊

What about you? Does your tribe get you? Are you understood and valued for being who you are? Are you shining like the bright light you were intended to be? Are you thriving in your environment? I truly hope so!

So, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Karen Aydt and I AM AN ORANGE! I am a bundle of energy and life. I’m always in action, always looking for my next adventure, always ready for fun and always ready to take a risk. There is NOTHING I like better than laughter, people, excitement and challenge. I love to play, to run and jump, skip, sing and dance.

I get me now. I know and understand me. And most of all I respect me!

Do I take life seriously? NO😊

Do I get easily distracted? Hell yes!

Am I sometimes too loud? Of course!

Do I make sudden changes? Hell ya, I just had a new amazing idea!

Can I do 4 things at one time. Easily and well.

Do I love freedom and variety? 100%

Do I make mistakes? Yes!

Will I take on a new challenge? Watch me!

Am I multi-talented? There is nothing I can’t do!

I AM ORANGE! And Oranges are friggen unique, talented and special. I am bouncing through life with the energy and outlook of a 20-year-old. In the past 10 years I have been skydiving, scuba diving and hang-gliding. I learned German, learned to teach English, became a rock singer in front of 3000 people, traveled alone and taught English through 4 continents. Today I am proud to be the owner/operator of Inner Design International where I facilitate Workshops designed to transform lives from ordinary to extraordinary. When people understand themselves and others, and truly understand their needs, literally anything is possible. All relationships flourish.

Is being Orange an excuse for bad behaviour? NO! But it is how I am hardwired, so bare with me. Can I modify my behaviour as I wish? Of course. I can tone down my Orange and ramp up my Blue Connector side or Gold Organized side when I want to. Being Green, which is my analytical side and palest colour DOES NOT come naturally or easily to me.

Do I appear rough around the edges? Maybe... Am I as thoughtful and sensitive as a BLUE. No. Am I following rules and being cautious like a GOLD! NO! Am I thinking before I act like a Green? Nope! I AM ORANGE! Please don’t judge me! Please just accept me as I am😊I am a DOER! I take ACTION. Right here and right now! What is there to plan for? Nothing! That’s what Oranges do! I fly by the seat of my pants! Trusting my instincts and that things will work out just fine.

Who am I? I am fearless! I will try anything once (ask me what I ate in China😊). Life is here and now for me! I have s*!t to do. RIGHT NOW! And I’ve got the energy and quick wit to pull it off. Without thinking about it. And I will do it well. Anything! Give me a stage, a fast car, a 4 wheeler, a language, a conflict, a person (any person), a sales negotiation, a phone call, a dance floor, I am up for any challenge or adventure.

I can switch gears in any given moment. Change direction without a thought or worry. I am sorry if I rub you the wrong way. I am sorry if I am too loud or playful or gregarious. I am sorry if I get over excited and interrupt sometimes or don’t take things seriously enough. I don’t mean to be rude. Is it an excuse for bad behaviour? NO! Can I try to do better and channel the other sides of my personality to balance me out a bit, of course. I am working on that. But most of the time I just want to be me! Happy to be alive. Happy to see you. I love life, I am an optimist. I don’t need a plan. I am spontaneous. I can figure anything out “on the fly”.

While you are thinking about it, or deciding if it’s right or wrong, I have already got it half done!

I love people, I have a HUGE heart and I trust everybody. Give me time to play. Allow me to have fun and input it into my daily routine. This energizes me.

And, yes, it’s ok to remind me to focus on the task at hand. I need you GOLD’s to guide me sometimes and remind me to look after the details. I appreciate your guidance. And dear Blues, it’s ok to remind me to be careful (sometimes I forget). And the Greens, for you, I will do my best to give you time and space for your ideas to flourish😊

Lighten up and have some fun with an Orange today!

Do people get you? Do they respect you for being you?

Do YOU get you and respect you for being you? – Let’s Start There!

Inner Design International

​All my best,

​Karen