It’s no secret that our parents had a HUGE impact on the person we are today. We are shaped by our environment more than we are often aware, especially when we’re young. The values that we form through our early interactions become our moral compass and guiding light. They’re so essential to our well-being that we have an internal warning system that alerts us when we act in ways that are contrary to this moral code. We feel guilt, shame, and perhaps even anger at ourselves that reminds us to correct our behavior. Being aware of these negative emotions keeps us from going astray, especially when we need to adapt to new challenges. At the same time, we also need to update our values and not get caught up in the ones that were formed by past experiences and that no longer benefit us in life.
Why is it so important to be TRUE to yourself?
When you are being true to yourself, you are completely honest with what you feel, deeply value, and desire. It also means communicating your feelings wholeheartedly both with yourself and others, allowing your truth to flow through you and into the world. As my dad says there’s a great power in HONESTY especially when it’s directed towards yourself.
What is being AUTHENTIC?
Synonyms: dependable, true, veritable, unquestionable, honest, bona fide, reliable.
Being yourself makes happiness easier to obtain. Live life on your terms, not someone’s else! If you have been behaving inauthentically for a long time, you might feel out touch with true feelings and desires.
Tchiki Davis, Ph.D explains below how by being someone you are not can affect your mental health SIGNIFICANTLY.
Being your authentic self can feel risky now in our screen-obsessed world. We’re just trying to fit in, be liked, and be accepted by other human beings. And as a result, the image we present (on our social media profiles and IRL) have become mere presentations of who we think we should be/want to be and not reflections of who we really are. So how do we take off the mask we’ve been wearing and start to live a life of authenticity?
How to Develop Authenticity
Being authentic means that you act in ways that show your true self and how you feel. Rather than showing people only a particular side of yourself, you express your whole self genuinely. That means to succeed in being authentic, you first have to know who your true self actually is. And this requires self-awareness, mindfulness, and self-acceptance.
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.
How we lost our authenticity!
We are constantly balancing inner and outer aspects of ourselves in order to better fit in, to become more successful, or to find love. We are driven to find “our place” in society, and we want to be respected for who we truly are and what we have to contribute. Many of us are propelled even further, desiring to know and live our purpose, to find deeper meaning in our lives, and to feel the fulfilment that comes with becoming a more authentic person.
*Increase self-awareness. Allow yourself to feel your emotions, and be curious about them. What are they telling you that you need to do? How can you become more of your true self? You can start journaling and meditating to get back in touch with yourself.
*Recognize the masks you wear. We wear masks to hide who we are…You are human; IT IS OK! But accept it!
*Embrace vulnerability. As Rania Haim says “There’s nothing wrong with being vulnerable. Vulnerability is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
*Don’t filter, just be. I know being present is hard…Start meditating 5 minutes everyday.
*Accept Feedback as a Gift!
So it is so important to be YOURSELF because otherwise you will not be happy.
EMPOWER AND LOVE YOURSELF xx