Living as our authentic selves is one of the best forms of self care we have. When we choose to show up in life as our essential self, we remind ourselves that we are worthy of love and acceptance exactly as we are. Unfortunately, living authentically isn’t always easy. We get caught up in fears of rejection and disapproval. We wonder if it’s better to keep parts of ourselves under wraps instead.
It may take a lifetime to learn how to be truly authentic, but here are some things you can do every day to help get you get there:
#1. Be honest with yourself
The first step to being more authentically yourself is to be honest with yourself. It can be easy to put on a façade and pretend to be someone you’re not, but it’s important to be honest about who you are, what you want, and what makes you happy. When you’re honest with yourself, you’re more likely to be happy and fulfilled in life.
#2. Be true to your values
Another way to be more authentically yourself is to be true to your values. What matters most to you? What do you believe in? When you live in alignment with your values, you feel more authentic and fulfilled. Yes, there will be people who disagree. Let them! You will never be liked by everyone, so you might as well be true to what you believe (but also remember to stay open to learning from other people and changing your mind).
#3. Follow your heart
Another way to be more authentically yourself is to trust your intuition and listen to what your heart is telling you. When you follow your heart, you’re more likely to end up in a place that feels right for you.
#4. Don’t compare yourself to others
One trap many people fall into is comparing themselves to others. It’s easy to look at other people and think they have it all together, but the truth is that everyone has their own struggles and challenges. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on being the best version of yourself that you can be. And remember, they are probably not revealing their authentic self, either. Everyone has masks they wear, and just because someone seems perfect on the outside, it doesn’t mean they have it all figured out either.
#5. Be present
It can be easy to get caught up in the past or the future, but the present moment is where life happens. When you focus on being present, you’re more likely to appreciate the beauty of life and find happiness in the simple things. You also open yourself up to seeing how you show up authentically in the present moment, instead of thinking about what you would have or should have done.
#6. Accept yourself for who you are
Learn to love yourself for who you are, flaws and all. We all have imperfections, but it’s important to love and accept ourselves anyway. When we accept ourselves unconditionally, we open up the door for happiness, love, and fulfillment in our lives.
#7. Do things that make YOU happy
One final way to live more authentically is by doing things that make YOU happy — not what others think will make you happy or what society tells us should make us happy. You are allowed to like quirky, niche things. You are not weird for being unconventional, non-traditional, and norm-challenging. When you do the things you love, you will draw people to you who share the same interests. You’ll discover that you really aren’t as different or “weird” as you think you are.
