
Authenticity refers to being genuine, honest, or authentic to one’s personality, spirit, or character, despite external pressures or influences.
Most of us grow up not knowing who we are as an individual. We tend to form opinions, thoughts, viewpoints, our likes, and dislikes based on those of the people who we were raised by or grew up around. Taking into account some research suggests a fetus may be able to perceive and respond to certain stimuli, such as music, light, and touch, starting from around the 24th week of gestation* makes it safe to say it is a naural occurance we must overcome through our life in order to imbrace our authentic selves and open up the road to loving our True Essence. We get Caught Up in trying to prove ourselves to others because we forgot who we are. People let us down, hurt us, abandon us, and create a negative mindset of who we are. When we take away our masks and feed our confidence positive energy we can radically change our lives.
Being authentic allows our inner and outter world to align in a way for us to create a more fulfilling life full of experiences for grown and expanded through a more joyful vibration. Here are a few ways your life can improve by being authentic:
- Improved self-awareness and self-understanding.
- Increased personal growth and self-development.
- Better and more fulfilling relationships.
- Improved mental health and reduced stress.
- Increased self-esteem and confidence.
- Improved decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Increased sense of purpose and meaning in life.
- Increased trust and respect from others.
- More genuine and fulfilling experiences.
- More honest and open communication with others.
Do you know how to be Authenic?
Autheniticity can look like something fake when you have been living a life ruled by the opinions and like of other judged. You can become “Caught Up” in the illusion of who you are, when in actuality you are trying to mold yourself into being something or someone to gain apporval or validation from others. Lacking your own authenticity can look like:
- Pretending to be someone else.
- Lying about your thoughts, feelings, or beliefs.
- Suppressing your emotions.
- Being phony in relationships.
- Faking interest or passion.
- Hiding your flaws or weaknesses.
- Manipulating or exploiting others.
- Conforming to societal expectations.
- Being superficial.
- Putting on a facade.
Sometimes we dont even realize we are living this way until someone points it out, we get fed up experiencing negative issues or soemthing drastic happens and allows us to refelct on our life.
How to live an Authentic Life
So how can you begin to take steps in living more Authentic? Lets look at 8 ways you can open yourself up to living a more Authentic life.
1. Being true to oneself.
Being true to oneself can be difficult in the beginning because you have to unlearn everthing you thought you knew about yourself and relearn you! It involves a combination of self-awareness, self-reflection, and action. This involves understanding one’s values, beliefs, and passions, accepting and embracing one’s flaws and weaknesses, setting boundaries, and communicating honestly. It requires avoiding comparisons with others, practicing self-compassion and self-forgiveness, and surrounding oneself with supportive and positive people. Living in accordance with one’s values and principles is key to being true to oneself. Learning to listen to yourself and honoring what you want will allow you to become more true to yourself.
2. Being honest about thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.
Sometimes its difficult to be honest with others about our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs because we get caught up in fear and worry about how they will respond to our truths. This fear can keep us in situations that dont seerve our highest good and also they can keep us from experiencing more intimate and joyful moments as well. A way to be honest about thoughts, feelings, and beliefs is to practice open and authentic communication. This means expressing yourself honestly and directly, without fear of judgment or rejection. It also involves being willing to listen to others, understanding different perspectives, and engaging in respectful dialogue. Additionally, it’s important to be mindful of nonverbal communication and body language, as these can sometimes convey a different message than words. Practicing active listening, empathy, and self-awareness can help improve honesty in communication.
3. Expressing emotions authentically.
Similar to number two, when we aren’t ourselves, we cannot express our emotions healthily and properly. Creating false relationships and situations. Expressing emotions authentically involves being mindful of one’s thoughts and feelings, acknowledging and accepting them, and finding healthy outlets to express them. This can be done through self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-compassion. It also requires finding the right time and place, using “I” statements, being respectful and considerate of others, and seeking support when needed. Expressing emotions authentically leads to improved mental health and stronger relationships.
4. Building authentic relationships.
Authentic relationships are built on mutual respect, honesty, and open communication, leading to more robust and fulfilling connections. Building authentic relationships requires being true to oneself, communicating openly, respecting boundaries, being empathetic and understanding, and accepting differences. It involves building trust, encouraging and supporting personal growth, being vulnerable, engaging in shared interests, maintaining boundaries, practicing forgiveness, and spending quality time together.
5. Pursuing passions and interests genuinely.
Pursuing passions and interests genuinely involves identifying and allocating time and resources towards them, setting goals and creating a plan, surrounding yourself with supportive people, taking calculated risks, staying motivated and focused, celebrating progress, maintaining a growth mindset, balancing with other responsibilities, and being open to new experiences.
6. Embracing flaws and weaknesses.
Assuming your flaws and weaknesses consists in acknowledging and accepting one’s shortcomings instead of trying to hide or fix them. It also involves being self-compassionate and treating oneself with kindness and understanding. Practicing self-reflection and introspection can help gain a deeper understanding of one’s flaws and weaknesses, and find ways to work with and grow from them.
7. Being independent and not conforming to societal norms.
Becoming independent involves questioning societal expectations and norms and making conscious decisions based on personal values and beliefs. It requires developing a strong sense of self and confidence in one’s unique identity and not seeking validation or approval from others. Embracing individuality and standing up for personal beliefs can lead to greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and authenticity. It also helps build resilience and the ability to navigate through life with confidence and purpose.
8. Living in accordance with one’s values and principles.
Living in accordance with one’s values and principles involves identifying and understanding personal values, incorporating them into daily decision-making, staying true to them even when it’s challenging, reflecting on the impact of choices, being transparent with others, seeking aligning experiences and relationships, continuously self-evaluating, embracing accountability, and pursuing personal growth. This requires self-awareness, honesty, and a commitment to living in a way that aligns with personal values and principles.
Now that you have a better idea of how to live an Authentic Life, where have you not been being authentic to yourself? If you have more than one area and feel a little overwhelmed at where to begin, pick one that feels the strongest pull towards you and focus there. I have found once you begin living authenticly in one area of your life, it will begin to flow throughout the rest of your life.
Blessings – Shannon, Spiritual Gangsta
*This informations is widely cited in various reputable sources including academic journals, textbooks, and review articles in the field of fetal development.
Some examples of such sources include:
- “The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology” by Keith L. Moore and T.V.N Persaud
- “Fetal Development” by Mark Johnson in the Oxford Handbook of Developmental Psychology
- “Fetal Perception: Evidence and Implications” by Marisa L. Fischer and Anthony F. Fazio in the Journal of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health
It is important to note that while this information is widely cited, it is based on observational and experimental studies and may not apply to all fetuses or circumstances. Further research is needed to fully understand the extent to which stimuli can influence fetal development.
the moment we are in the womb we begin to take on the emotions of our surroundings
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