AUTHENTICITY

"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” - Brené Brown

What does it mean to be authentic? To truly know who you are? Not the version you’d like to be, or the version that appears when we put our best foot forward, but the real and raw YOU.

If sources like Psychology Today state that authenticity is “aligning our actions with our values, beliefs, preferences and motivations”, then it sounds simply as if this is about being honest with yourself about your thoughts, feelings and desires and not trying to be someone you are not. Which could be so simplistic and easy, yet it is not. In our minds we have a picture of who we are – but is this who we truly are at all times and in all situations? Sometimes it takes a difficult encounter or experience to show us where we are not living up to who we would like to be.

Being authentic has major implications for mental health and well-being. Yet, in today’s world we lose who we are in our efforts to “fit” into society and be accepted by the world around us. With the trappings of social media selling us false ideals of perfection, it is easy to think that even the best version of yourself isn’t quite good enough. What’s more, uniqueness has become trendy to a point that people are chasing this notion, and while doing so try to be someone they are not.

There is also more risk of hiding our gifts from the world than expressing them. While our unexpressed ideas, dreams and gifts don’t go away, they seek expression.

What makes you authentic, is your unique self. But there is no shortcut to authenticity, it requires commitment and real inner work. Your genuine you, the version of you that is the truest, is your authentic you.

There are many benefits to living an authentic life. For one, it can help you to build a stronger sense of self-identity and to feel more comfortable in your skin. Being authentic can help you live a more fulfilling and purposeful life, as you will be doing things that align with who you are.

There are a few key signs that you might not be entirely authentic to yourself. If you frequently pretend to be someone else or try to be who you think others want you to be, that’s a red flag. Similarly, if you are not honest about your thoughts and feelings or constantly putting on a front, that is also a sign that you might need to check in with yourself.

One of the best ways to stay true to yourself is to practice self-awareness. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings, and notice when you start to feel like you are not being genuine. Another helpful tip is to surround yourself with people who accept and support you for who you are. These people can act as a reminder of your authentic self when you start to stray from it. Finally, don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself – if you don’t agree with something, or if you feel like you are being pressured into something you don’t want to do, then say so.

It’s not easy to figure out who you are in a world that is constantly pressuring you to follow the latest trends and be like everybody else. We often lose ourselves by being a chameleon and changing into others. When we do this we forget what it is like to be authentic. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “to be yourself in a world that’s constantly trying to make you something is the greatest accomplishment.”

Being authentic is a daily practice. It is a moment by moment choice of embracing your truth and being fearless enough to share it with the world.

Don’t compare yourself to others in a world where you can be whoever you want. You can’t compare the sun and the moon: each shines when it is their time.

Kristy Watermeyer