Practicing Authenticity
“No one is you, and that is your power.”
-Dave Grohl
There are nearly 8 billion people in this world, and every single person in that 8 billion estimate is unique. Being uniquely yourself? That is your superpower.
The word “authenticity” by definition means “the quality of being real or true.” Being authentic means being the most you, regardless of what other people say or think. In an ideal world, everyone would feel comfortable being their most honest selves. But as life goes, we subconsciously take in the thoughts, perceptions, and ideas of the people and culture around us. This can make it hard to practice authenticity.
Like anything, practice makes perfect, and practicing authenticity takes time. There are many ways you can improve your sense of authenticity in everyday life. Today’s post will cover ways you can integrate authenticity in different areas of life.
Planning
It can be difficult to practice authenticity when it comes to planning, because sometimes, you just need to get things done. But, there are ways to be more mindful about how you plan your weeks, months, and year. One of the biggest ways to incorporate more authenticity into your planning is to just be honest with yourself. Whatever it is you have to accomplish, be realistic about how much time and energy you need, and don’t be afraid to give yourself a little cushion.
Another way to feel more authentic in how you plan is to take into consideration your current headspace. Golden Coil’s “Mood” page is great for this. Here, you can track your moods throughout the year. It’s a great way to see if there are particular seasons or time periods that bring up more stress than others. This way, you can continuously improve your planning in a way that’s authentic to how you truly feel and what you need.
Our “Reflections” add-on is another great page for practicing authenticity. You can use it on a weekly or monthly basis. It’s great for tracking moments, thoughts, and feelings that you want to do some reflecting on. This is a great tool for checking in with yourself. It can help you plan your weeks and months in a way that’s thoughtful and authentic to what’s currently going on in your life.
Daily Life
We all have that little voice in the back of our heads. It’s the one that tells us right from wrong, and what decisions, people, and things are truly right for us. You can call it a gut feeling, intuition—whatever makes sense to you. In daily life, we are presented with so many opportunities to practice authenticity. Listening to your intuition is a great place to start because your intuition is yours and yours only. Once you start listening to yourself, you allow space for authenticity to show up in other areas of your daily life. This may include:
Speaking your mind: Even when it’s uncomfortable, be honest with yourself and others. Say what you really mean.
Setting boundaries: If something makes you uncomfortable, or, if you don’t have the space in your life for certain people or things, set boundaries. Know your limits and be true to them.
Facing your fears: Fear can hold you back from a lot of things, including being your most authentic self. Do something each day to help you step outside your comfort zone. Little by little, you can face your fears and become the version of yourself you want to be.
Holding yourself accountable: Part of practicing authenticity is working at it each day. Even if it’s easier to do what you’ve always done, hold yourself accountable to your own authenticity.
Releasing old patterns and habits: To step into your best, truest self, you have to release the patterns and habits that no longer serve you. Doing this will open up space for more authenticity and whatever that looks like.
Relationships
Practicing authenticity in relationships is one of the easiest and most difficult things. It’s with the people in our lives that we show up as our most authentic selves, but also where we let our pride and ego get in the way. One of the biggest ways to integrate more authenticity into your relationships is by being vulnerable. Of course, you’ll have to decide for yourself what level of vulnerability you’re comfortable with, but remind yourself that throughout your relationships, it’s okay to be vulnerable with the people you love and trust. By being authentic yourself, you open up the space for others to be authentic, too. And remember, good communication is vital for practicing authenticity. Be open and have empathy for yourself and others.
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.”
-Brene Brown
“It takes courage to be yourself in a world where you are constantly told that who you are isn’t enough. Being yourself is the biggest gift you can offer yourself and others. Be brave enough to show the world who you are without an apology.”
-Ash Alves
“Be loud about the things that are important to you.”
-Karen Walrond