In our personal and professional lives ‘being authentic’ is a popular term. It is a quality many of us hold with high regard. It’s associated with being original, speaking our truth, having our actions reflect our inner truth; including our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values. It’s also about not compromising, and presenting an un-true version of ourselves, based on what society or others want or expect.
I view the process of being authentic as a journey, not a destination. There are levels of being authentic; directly impacted by our ability to support our inner selves and how self-aware we are. The more in tune we are with ourselves the more we are able to show up and be authentic at any given moment.
Accepting and Understanding Our Internal Conflict
It’s one thing to be authentic with the qualities about ourselves that we like. But what about the aspects of ourselves we are not at peace with? The parts or pieces we don’t like? How do we truly be authentic when there is internal conflict, or certain aspects we wish to hide? In my thirties my world really opened up when I started learning about myself in a deeper way. As I unpacked and worked on myself it gave me the opportunity to have experiences with speaking my truth in a healthy way. Even a few years ago my ability to be authentic was in a vastly different place than it is now. I’m always doing my best with the internal information I have.
It’s a Process
If we wish to show up as our most authentic selves it requires exploration and acceptance of our ongoing thoughts, feelings, behaviours and needs as they are. This allows us the opportunity to understand ourselves, who we are and who we are not, at a very deep level. Only then can we speak and act in alignment with this connection. Being authentic is an intentional living process, always evolving, and not to be taken lightly.
I would love to hear from you. You can join the conversation on Facebook, or you can send me a private message here.
Nicole