“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”
― C.G. Jung
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Authenticity requires self-knowledge and self-awareness. It is an expression of your essential self, uncensored, undiluted, and genuine.
Authentic people accept their strengths and weaknesses. They are accountable. They are connected to their values and desires and act deliberately in ways that are consistent with those qualities. It helps you focus on your purpose and goals.
Authenticity is about being genuine and real, it allows us to connect deeply with others because it requires us to be transparent and vulnerable.
Being authentic gets you out of your head and liberates you from trying to be someone else or trying to be perfect.
Here are 7 ways to get started to create an authentic life:
- Define or Redefine your values. It’s hard to behave in an authentic way if you are not clear about what has meaning to you, or what you believe, value and desire.
- Keep an open mind. Authenticity flourishes when we experience the world without limitation, which causes us to shut down our vulnerable, authentic self. Learn to look at life from both ends of a situation. Don’t jump to conclusions- be open-minded.
- Trust your intuition. Pay attention to your guts or intuition, physical sensations and impressions. They can be your instincts telling you that you are not being genuine.
- 4. Compassion – Bring compassionated awareness to anything inauthentic you say or do. You aren’t perfect and perfectionism is a losing battle. Be easy on yourself.
- Self-Worth – Be proud of who you are and who you’re becoming. Realize that you’re worth sharing with the world. Foster gratitude for your strengths and weaknesses.
- Integrity – Show up fully, with integrity, in each moment. Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
- Be courageous. Embody your values. Not everyone will be okay with you. You must learn to be okay with walking and talking your own truth.
How to know if you are not living authentically:
- You try to impress others for acceptance
- Fear social disapproval
- Playing roles that stifle your identity
- Selling out your values
- Living a compromised, conflicted or counterfeit life
- Not listening to your guts or intuition
- Doing things you “should” do instead of “desire” to
- Blaming others for your problems
Authenticity doesn’t happen by default; it requires awareness and effort to create an integrated, harmonious self. Living authentically is hard, but the benefits make it worthwhile.
