Psychotherapy, after all, is the one place you can—and perhaps “should”—be honest. In addition, authenticity tracks with greater adaptive coping, including active coping and planning. There’s minimal maladaptive coping, with less venting, behavioral disengagement, mental disengagement, substance use, and denial. Your best self is not about perfection—it’s about aiming to be the best version of yourself. It’s living according to your values, pursuing your passions, and using your individual strengths and talents.
In my psychotherapy practice over the past 40+ years, I’ve educated my clients about how shame is an unconscious driver of sabotaging behaviors. Becoming aware of the sneaky ways that shame shows up is often the first step toward living a more authentic and fulfilling life. It’s been over ten years since I first joined Tumblr, but I still fall into the camp which finds it easier to be ‘myself’ online.
- In situations of conflict, calmly express your viewpoint and stand by it.
- Plus, there’s this deeper human urge to put ourselves out there and connect.
- Stay true to your beliefs and express your feelings and thoughts with conviction.
- Our beliefs about who we are go all the way to childhood.
I Help You Own Your Self-image And Take Charge Of Your Life So You Can Get Noticed, Chosen, And Paid
Instead of naturally shifting between different social roles, we now manage a single, optimized identity across multiple audiences—our family, coworkers, old friends, and strangers online. The bigger, paradoxical problem is, however, that the more we strive to be real, the more we perform; and in proving our authenticity, we lose sight of who we truly are. With a steady stream https://goldenagesouls.org/ of avocado toast, latte art and vintage Huji filters, Instagram advertises the kind of life to which almost anyone would aspire. If you take social media’s word for it, the world is full of happy, healthy, thriving people taking luxury vacations, getting drinks with lifelong friends and promoting their passion projects online. Even amid a global pandemic and record levels of social isolation, many still fall prey to the glossy perfection of the feed. And repeat the beliefs as positive affirmations to get them to stick.
The Importance Of Having Self-love And Acceptance While Dating
For most of us, our Authentic Self is buried deep in our unconscious, where it remains hard to identify and let out. But by being someone you are not, you are telling yourself that who you really are isn’t okay. So hiding or suppressing who you really are can end up leaving you feeling lonely, disconnected from others, or even worthless. Authenticity means sharing what feels true and comfortable for you, not exposing every detail. It’s perfectly okay to keep parts of your life private and choose what you want to share to protect your wellbeing. Yes, many teens start self-editing their online presence as a way to protect themselves from potential criticism.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Afraid Of Being Yourself — You’re Protecting Yourself
You have a clearer understanding of what matters most to you, which acts as a compass guiding your choices. Back when I faced a major career decision, staying true to my values made the path clear—not necessarily easier, but definitely clearer. I mean, consider the difference between waking up each morning to perform a role that feels foreign versus rising to live out your passions in alignment with your true nature. This alignment reduces internal conflict, which often stems from living in ways that contradict your true self. Personally, I have found that the closer I live to my true essence, the more tranquil and centered I feel, regardless of the external chaos that might surround me. Personal growth is, in my opinion, about expanding your horizons within the comfort of your own genuine character.