How to Stay Yourself in the Age of AI

Pull up a stool. Let’s talk.
The bar’s open. And so are we.

Ever feel like a sentence written by AI sounds almost exactly like something you would say… but not quite? Close enough to pass, but distant enough to feel a little off?

That subtle unease—like someone else is thinking for you—is becoming more common these days. And honestly, it’s worth paying attention to.

Because here’s the thing: AI can do a lot. It can write, sort, explain, and summarize like a dream. But what it can’t do—at least not yet—is be you. It can’t wake up in your skin. It doesn’t feel what you feel or live the life you’ve lived. That’s your domain. And it matters more than ever.

AI is the recipe. But you are the cook.

Let’s get practical.

AI is amazing at giving us structure. It can lay out a strong draft, offer ideas we hadn’t considered, and save us time on the heavy lifting. But it’s not the final word—and it shouldn’t be.

You still have to taste what it made.
You still have to season it.
You still have to decide: “Is this really what I mean?”

Otherwise, you risk publishing something that sounds polished—but doesn’t sound like you at all.

How do you stay grounded?

Here are a few things that help:
• Read with your gut, not just your eyes. If something feels “off,” even if you can’t explain it, pause. That’s your intuition nudging you.
• Ask yourself: Would I actually say this out loud? If not, rewrite it in your real voice.
• Keep a habit of reflecting—daily if you can. Jot down what you believe, what you’re learning, what’s shifting in your heart. The more in touch you are with you, the easier it is to recognize when something isn’t.
• Don’t be afraid to sound a little rough. A perfect sentence isn’t always the most honest one. Sometimes what’s raw is what’s real.

Let your words reflect the moment you’re in.

You’re not the same every day. Your mood, your thoughts, even the angle of light coming through the window—it all shapes how you feel and what you want to say. That’s why no AI, no matter how advanced, can fully replace the version of you that’s showing up right now, in this moment.

And that’s okay. In fact, it’s beautiful.

So next time you ask AI to help you write something, remember: it’s just setting the table. You’re the one who brings the warmth, the spice, the story.

And maybe that’s the real art of living with AI—not resisting it, but reminding yourself who’s still holding the spoon.

What’s something only you could say today?
Take a moment. Say it in your words. The world needs that.

Ruby’s Bar — Pour truth. Breathe easier.