I had an epiphany yesterday: when I began blogging this past July, I was ready to dip my toes in the pool ... but I was still afraid to go for a lengthy swim.

I was nervous about how I'd be perceived by friends and family as I shared my deepest thoughts and fears with the blogosphere. I wanted to remain semi-anonymous; just "a 20-something struggling with disordered eating issues."

I didn't expect to see 400-800 page views a day (and sometimes way, way more!). I was honestly writing for myself, and hoped there would be <em>maybe</em> a handful of readers that would find me online.

And find me, you have!

So while I identified myself as "Melissa" (which is, indeed, my name) and branded my blog by purchasing the domain name (which I'll need to renew each year), I chose not to add my blog's URL to my Facebook or Twitter pages. In fact, I didn't even register my blog with Technorati -- the biggest blog search engine!

Well ... all of that changed yesterday.

In an e-mail exchange with Steph at Back in Skinny Jeans yesterday, she said something that totally hit home: "When you live authentically, the universe conspires with you."

Wow. Talk about profound words. Though I took the first step blogging about my disordered eating issues and my journeys with therapy and blogotherapy ... I still <em>hadn't</em> been living 100% authentically.

I was still hiding in a way -- like when I'd e-mail my blog's URL to friends vs. putting it out there on my Facebook wall when asked.

And so last night, I added my blog's URL to my Twitter and Facebook pages, and registered my blog with Technorati.

If I am really and truly all about "coming clean" and being myself, wholly me ... I needed to own up to myself. This meant allowing my identity to be known -- and not hiding behind the shroud any longer.

I've been blogging since July, five nights a week, without fail ... it's time. You -- my loyal readers -- have found me, which is awesome. And you keep coming back.

Other readers  know me in real life and have followed my blog (thank you!), returning day after day.

But until yesterday, I hadn't really put myself out there. I simply wasn't ready for the big plunge, the true unveiling.

It's so mind-boggling to my that in just five short months, I've guest blogged or been mentioned on three big sites -- and many more of you have linked my blog to your blogrolls (thank you!).

I've made a ton of progress along the way, and I love knowing I'm helping some of you tackle similar issues. Together, we're building a community and changing perceptions -- two tenets of good public relations.

It's like my work and personal life are melding together, and I couldn't be prouder. I can be an advocate for women who understand these issues, and learn from all of you, as well. It's win-win for all of us!

So here's the scoop. If you're on Twitter, you can follow me -- my user name is Lissa10279. And as for Facebook -- you can find me by my real name, Melissa Henriquez. I'd love to add you all to my networks.

The grand finale for my pledge to live authentically yesterday? I found out that a group of fit bloggers are going to be meeting up in Chicago next weekend, and I'm planning to join up for the meet-and-greet.

I'm ready to get out there and meet these fantastic, strong, brilliant women who are making a difference in this world. I want to be my most authentic self, online and in real life.

There's no time like the present. And I'm ready to swim.

Thanks for being by my "side." I appreciate your comments more than you know. Keep reading and let me know if there's a topic you'd like to see tackled next!

How about you? How do you live authentically?