Authentic Self Unleashed: 9 Easy Ways to Live Authentically

Do you feel like you’re not living your true self? And do you long to unleash your most authentic self?

I struggled with it throughout my teenage years.

It’s not easy to break free from external validation…

Who doesn’t want to fit in and be accepted?

I sure did.

And conforming to societal expectations was safe. It’s easy to blend in, not stand out too much, and follow the masses. 

But at what cost? 

I never felt fulfilled and often felt alone – despite having many friends. As a result, confusion and frustration were dominant emotions at the time.

Do you feel like you’re living someone else’s life?

Authenticity leads to fulfillment. 

And embracing your authentic self also empowers success, makes a more meaningful impact, and builds depth into your relationships.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What do we mean by authenticity?
• Why you struggle to connect with your true self
• Symptoms of living inauthentically
• Consequences of an inauthentic life
• Its importance for success and fulfillment
• How to rediscover yourself and be authentic?
• How do you know when you live an authentic life?

So let’s dive in!

What do we mean by authenticity?

Authenticity means being true to yourself, where your thoughts, actions, and values align with your core identity. 

It’s the most genuine expression of who you are, untouched by societal pressures or the need for external validation.

Core elements of your authentic self include your personality, skills, talents, interests, passions, insights, experiences, memories, values, beliefs, purpose, dreams, fears, and wisdom.

Why do you struggle to connect with your true self?

Knowing yourself is an obvious first step to living authentically. Yet, many people lack self-awareness and struggle to express themselves.

That said, the bigger obstacles are social factors.

Living more authentically means making a change. 

And making a change means you might alienate some people.

People may feel offended. They might reject you. And some may say ugly things about you behind your back.

Even worse, some might be your close friends.

Naturally, you avoid that.

But at what cost?

While we’ll uncover the consequences in a moment, know that it’s much easier to confirm and stay within your bubble due to the following social factors:

• Societal pressures are the expectations and standards that determine how you should act, what you should pursue, and what defines success. For example, many want to become a doctor because it looks good and makes their parents very happy. Going against the grain means upsetting those people and taking a risk on yourself. It will raise your fear of failure.
• Fear of judgment prevents pure self-expression. Rejection is uncomfortable. And while you desire to become creative and think outside the box, your inner voice prefers to play it safe. For example, you might want to change careers but stick to what you know because you fear judgment. A common reason is that it comes with a pay cut – and try to explain that move.
• Self-doubt and a lack of self-belief challenge the connection with your authentic self. That often comes in negative self-talk and comparisons to others. For example, you might look up to popular channels as an aspiring social media creator and believe you’ll never achieve such results. As a result, you never even try.

Symptoms of living inauthentically

While it’s much easier to conform to societal expectations, there’s a price to pay for living an inauthentic life.

That price is creative stagnation, an inability to develop deep and meaningful relationships, and a lack of fulfillment.

But how do you know if you live inauthentically?

Here are the symptoms of misalignment:

• You often feel like something is missing in your life.
• You lack a sense of passion or enthusiasm for daily activities.
• You feel disconnected from your emotions, values, or desires.
• You fear the unacceptance of your closest people.
• You fear the judgment of others for being your true self.
• You fear losing control of your life as it currently is.
• You feel unfulfilled despite external achievements.
• You often feel stuck and frustrated.

Identifying your mental obstacles is the first step to making meaningful change. So internalize each of these points for a brief moment.

Which points resonate with you?

Can you think of recent examples of those points?

Since we all conform to social expectations at some levels, few live 100% authentically. And while it’s okay to fit in to a degree, how connected are you with your authentic self?

Consequences of an inauthentic life

Living inauthentically significantly impacts your emotional, mental, and physical state. 

• Inner conflict happens because you suppress your true thoughts, feelings, and desires. As a result, you can feel disconnected and frustrated.
• Lack of fulfillment because you know you’re not living up to your true potential, causing you to feel empty inside.
• More stress and anxiety because you always try to live up to the expectations of others and worry about rejection. Worse, you fear they might discover you’re wearing a mask.
• Lower self-esteem because you struggle to trust your intuition and make individual decisions.
• Burnout is more likely to happen when you always try to please others. At least, it drains your mental and physical energy.

Recognizing and embracing authenticity is essential if you value your well-being and seek to live your best life.

Why is authenticity important for success and fulfillment?

By now, you understand the importance of living your most authentic self and the consequences of living inauthentically. But how does authenticity impact success and fulfillment directly?

Here are the benefits of living authentically: 

• Alignment with your values and beliefs is the foundation for individual decision-making and creating your best life.
• Living your true purpose and passion enhances your motivation and focus, enabling personal excellence. Pursuing a path that internally fires you up increases your chances of success.
• More meaningful relationships. Being your true self allows others to connect with you too. It develops trust. And while your authentic self won’t attract everyone, those who do will appreciate and connect more deeply.
• A stronger personal brand is the natural result of being your true self. Authenticity enables others to resonate with you, leading to a more loyal following. And a quality network (not just size) will get you the best opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships.
• More resilience and self-confidence. While starting to live your most authentic self can be uncomfortable, it’ll build a thicker skin and reduce the need for external validation. And that sets you free from self-inflicted limitations and fears.
• Creative self-expression is only for those courageous enough to take risks and be different. It allows you to think outside the box and develop innovative ideas.
• Well-being improves because you’ll feel better about yourself and your journey. In the long run, living your authentic self heavily outweighs the benefits of living behind a mask.
• Financial stability and freedom results from commitment, persistence, continuous self-improvement, and growing your network. And living your authentic self unlocks it all.
• Making a larger impact. Aligning your actions with your values and beliefs amplifies your ability to create positive change, inspire others, and leave a legacy.

But don’t just take my word for why authenticity is important. 

Many studies, including this one, show that authentic living undoubtedly leads to more positive emotions, greater happiness, higher self-esteem, better relationships, and more personal growth.

Being authentic is the way to your best life.

How to rediscover yourself and be authentic?

Recognizing the power of authenticity is the first step to making change.

And we just covered that in-depth.

So now, let’s dive into more practical strategies and tools to rediscover yourself, break free from social expectations, and live your most authentic self.

#1: Accepting yourself

Self-acceptance is essential for authentic living. 

Be your own biggest fan.

Sharing joy and spreading love is easier when you love yourself first. 

Plus, accepting yourself also opens the doors for others to accept you.

You see, you’re the gatekeeper to your heart. 

Keep your walls up and your fortress locked, and nothing will come in or out. Instead, people must break through your barriers to connect with you. 

And few will even try.

But who can blame them?

After all, hiding in your fortress signals you’re unavailable.

Accepting yourself breaks down these walls and opens you up to new relationships, deeper connections, love, and authenticity.

Yes, that requires you to become vulnerable.

And that’s scary at first.

But you become untouchable when you accept yourself 100%.

Judgment doesn’t affect you once you can poke fun at your own fears, insecurities, weirdness, shortcomings, mistakes, and failures.

Stop taking yourself so seriously.

Everyone has shortcomings. 

And most people fear that theirs will be exposed. 

So instead, avoid covering them up in the first place.

No one is perfect.

And those who accept themselves unconditionally get to live freely.

Besides, remember that those who judge others only reflect their struggles with insecurities and self-doubt.

So, let’s have some empathy for those who judge.

#2: The power of self-compassion

Your biggest critic is YOU.

No one judges you more than yourself.

And I bet you can find a gazillion reasons to do just that.

Everyone can.

After all, everyone has plenty of shortcomings, failures, and mistakes. So, it’s not challenging to find something bad about yourself.

But why beat yourself up for being human?

You’re not perfect.

No one is.

And when you acknowledge and accept your shortcomings and mistakes, you empower authenticity. 

So if you beat yourself up next time, remember this:

You’re not perfect. Neither am I.

That’s what it means to be human.

Try your best, acknowledge mistakes quickly, and move on.

And oh yeah – to reduce the heaviness of life and experience more joy, don’t forget to laugh about your own mistakes and shortcomings.

#3: Indulge in self-reflection

Gaining self-awareness is always the first step to making change. 

But it also helps you stay on track. 

See your life as a ship that requires consistent navigation and minor adjustments to stay on course to its destination.

Self-awareness helps you stay aligned with your authentic self.

That’s why a self-reflection habit is so useful.

And although there’s no right or wrong way to introspect, here are some popular options:

• Meditating
• Any form of journaling
• Using self-reflection cards
• Going for a walk alone in nature
• Reviewing past experiences frequently
• Using mind mapping to crystalize your thoughts
• Picking one of the daily journaling ideas to write about
• Self-introspection with a friend by asking each other questions to dive deeper into challenges and feelings. This option can also be combined with any of the above.

Experiment to find what works for you, and then do it often.

#4: Discover your true identity

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery was my biggest game-changer. But since I didn’t do it intentionally initially, it took a while to figure out all the pieces.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

You can do exercises today to discover who you are, what you like, and where your strengths lay. And while you may not discover your perfect authentic self, it’ll take your life to the next level.

Here are some ideas to explore:

• Take a free personality test
• Discover your core values
• Unlock your personal strengths
• Explore your passions
• Find your purpose in life

Remember that self-discovery is a process that takes time – but living more authentically is a journey worth pursuing.

#5: Destroy inner barriers

Addressing your fears and self-limiting beliefs is essential to living a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Social conditioning is the largest contributor.

It gives rise to fears like judgment and rejection. 

While most people try to shake off fear and turn a blind eye to limiting beliefs, the first step is acknowledging them.

Acknowledging your fear takes its power away.

And it also prepares you for the next step: challenging them.

Here’s how:

• Recognize the illusion that fears are often based on distorted perceptions and false narratives. By questioning their validity, you can shake your beliefs.
• Get outside your comfort zone by taking small, manageable steps to live your authentic self. Each stage will develop confidence and expand your boundaries.
• Embrace self-compassion and understand that fears will pop up, setbacks will occur, and personal growth takes time.

By confronting fears and self-limiting beliefs head-on, you can gradually release the social shackles of conformity and embrace your authenticity. 

But remember: it’s a process.

#6: Speak your truth

Speaking your truth requires you to become vulnerable – but it’ll increase your comfort zone and build self-confidence. 

But there’s another reason.

It helps you grow into your own identity.

When you make public statements, you put yourself on the hook. You put your reputation on the line. And it urges you to follow up on your promises and become consistent with your actions.

That’s scary at first.

You want to avoid making mistakes… or saying dumb stuff.

But of course, you’ll make mistakes and be wrong. However, you’ll gain even more respect if you can kill your ego and admit missteps.

Besides, you don’t have to make lavish promises at first.

You can start small by speaking up in meetings at work, for example. 

Let people know your opinions and thoughts. 

Share your ideas with the group.

That’s much better than having a passive attitude. Besides, you’ll learn a lot about yourself when you go through this process.

Speaking up helps you discover, grow, and live your most authentic self.

#7: Surround yourself with supportive people

Speaking your truth and living your authentic self will alienate some people. 

Perhaps even some close friends.

After all, people feel threatened by change, especially if people around them are changing while they’re not. And as a result, they might try to shame you into stopping you in your tracks.

Combine that with the fear of the unknown you already experience, and it’s easy to get stuck in the same routines and relationships.

Avoid that trap.

Yes, you might lose some people in the process.

And that’s okay.

Once you lean into your authentic self, you’ll attract those who share similar values and beliefs. And they will appreciate your true self.

Much better and deeper connections will form.

I get it.

It’s never easy to leave behind everything as you know it. It’s scary to take a bet on yourself and leap into the unknown.

Well, you don’t have to take a big leap.

You can already start meeting new people today. Be your most authentic self around them. Or at least speak openly from your heart.

Here are some ideas to find uplifting people:

• Go to interesting events in your area where people like you already come together.
• Look for online groups, forums, masterminds, or any group-related settings where those people already are.
• Connect with people individually over social media. If you find and provide value to more than 100 people, I’m sure one of them will turn into a great friendship. 

Discovering new friends and developing a connection with them isn’t too hard if you proactively provide more value than you extract.

However, remember that building relationships takes time and effort – and most people are unwilling to do what it takes.

#8: Trust your intuition

While this post can help you, your most important guide is within.

Deep down, you know what to do.

But I understand the difficulty of getting in touch and trusting your inner voice. Trusting your intuition requires a leap into the unknown.

Try to listen regardless.

At first, it won’t give you much insight. But if you consult your gut feelings often, you’ll strengthen your connection to it.

So, what does your gut tell you right now? 

Ask that question often to develop a deeper connection with your gut. 

#9: Take action

Living authentically isn’t always easy.

But most of your limitations are set by yourself.

And taking massive action is the cure.

For most people, it helps to start small. Taking small, manageable, and consistent steps builds self-discipline and confidence.

Prioritize consistent action.

You’ll notice a change while you may not live your most authentic self in one week or a month. And over a year, it will make a significant difference.

How do you know if you’re living an authentic life?

You probably live an authentic life when you no longer need to ask this question.

You simply know.

Everything in your life will feel aligned with your true self.

• Your thoughts, feelings, and actions will feel congruent. 
• Your relationships will flourish and feel more meaningful. 
• You’ll experience more fulfillment and joy in daily life. 
• And you’ll 100% accept yourself, including your shortcomings, fears, mistakes, and failures.

Living your authentic self just feels right.

But remember that aligning yourself with authenticity is a process. 

And even if you’re not living your most genuine self yet, the small changes you make today will make a difference. 

Make change consistently, and your life will improve for the better.

What’s next?

Embracing your authentic self means you align your thoughts, actions, and values with your core identity. 

Doing so creates inner harmony.

And that’s essential to unlock your full potential, experience a sense of meaning and purpose, and maximize personal fulfillment.

The biggest challenge to connecting with your authentic self is society’s pressures and expectations. Of course, we fear judgment and rejection. After all, we want to be part of a group and feel included.

But the benefits of living authentically outweigh the fears you must overcome. Here’s a reminder of why:

• Living in alignment with your values and beliefs.
• Freedom from self-inflicted limitations and fears.
• Increased levels of trust and deeper connections.
• Stronger personal brand and reputation.
• More impact and greater happiness.

So, take action and embrace the power of living your most authentic self.

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