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Throughout my life, there were moments when I felt judged for being different from others. I also had moments where I felt like I wasn’t living up to societal expectations. In a society where others have expectations of you, how do you remain authentic to yourself? Ultimately, true happiness comes from staying true to your values and making choices that reflect you rather than conforming to societal norms. Maintaining authenticity involves several practices. It involves knowing your values, accepting who you are, letting go of the need for approval, practicing self-compassion, and surrounding yourself with supportive people.
Understanding Your Values
The values you have are an essential part of building a life of authenticity. Our values remind us of what we need to focus on and give us direction. One way to stay true to yourself is by living by your values. Understanding your top five values and aligning your actions with them can be beneficial. Your values can help you to stay true to what matters to you. Once you know your values, consider ways you can incorporate your values into your life. Your values can be a way to maintain integrity with who you are. If self-respect is a value you have, you can uphold it by setting clear boundaries, being assertive, and making your well-being a priority.
Embracing Your Unique Self
Authenticity means embracing your true self. You are unique, and your path will differ from others. It’s okay not to follow what others your age are doing. It’s normal to have different qualities, goals, and dreams. Your individuality allows you to make a unique mark on the world. To effect change, embracing your uniqueness is essential. What sets you apart is your strength. Accepting yourself also means recognizing your humanity. You are human, flawed like everyone else. No matter your imperfections, you have value. You don’t have to prove your worth. Being authentically you is more than enough.
Letting Go of the Need for Approval
Releasing the need for approval is crucial to maintaining authenticity. Often, we face expectations from our parents, friends, and society that don’t reflect our true selves. We aren’t obligated to fulfill others’ desires of who we should be. While there may be a desire to make others happy, it should not come at the cost of losing our identity. The key to overcoming the need for approval lies in building our self-esteem. When we are confident in who we are, we reduce the need for approval. Take time to reflect on your strengths. Focus on what you love about yourself. Understand that your self-perception holds more weight than the opinions of others.
The Power of Self-Compassion
Self-compassion can be instrumental in an authentic life. We limit ourselves through negative self-talk. We can challenge these thoughts with more empowering statements. Sometimes, we may have internalized a traumatic experience to mean that there is something wrong with us. Self-compassion says I am not defined by what happened to me. The trauma I experienced was not my fault. These statements are honest and empowering. It also allows you to move forward and create the life you want. Self-compassion helps you to embrace the power that lies within. Your inner critic can get in the way of living more authentically because of the fear of failure. Self-compassion sounds like I acknowledge my fear and move forward with courage. I let go of the fear of judgment and embrace my authenticity. I am allowed to make mistakes; they do not diminish my worth.
Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People
Being around people who accept who you are can be crucial to staying authentic. The support of people can help you to feel comfortable expressing who you are honestly and openly. It can allow you to be vulnerable without the fear of judgment. The support of the right people can be instrumental in achieving your goals and aspirations. Receiving feedback and different perspectives can be incredibly valuable. It empowers you to make choices that align with your goals and desires. Supportive people can serve as accountability partners to keep you on track when you get off course and help you to become the best version of yourself.
The Power of Authenticity
I have learned the best way to live life is authentically. We might feel pressure from society, friends, or even family to change who we are to meet their expectations, but it costs us our authenticity. Our authenticity is our superpower. We can embrace that power by staying true to who we are. Authenticity encompasses knowing our values, embracing our true selves, releasing the need for approval, practicing self-compassion, and surrounding ourselves with supportive people.