In order to find your authentic self, you have to look in the mirror. That’s where it starts … face to face with yourself. Just like facing your fears, you mustn’t retreat.
Initially, you may not see someone that’s pleasing to your eyes when you look at yourself. Look deeper. That’s where you are. Deep on the inside of your physical self.
Most importantly, you are not what you think you should be in comparison with someone else. That someone needs to be who he or she is as well.
Are you ready to learn how to find your authentic self? Well, let’s go!
Permit Yourself to be Authentic | You Are Allowed.
You cannot be authentic if you do not love yourself. For example, a poor self-image, low self-esteem, and beating up on yourself is a path leading to destruction.
Furthermore, it disrupts the activities you should be engaged in instead of having pity parties and hiding under the shadow of an illusion. This shadow will haunt you for the rest of your life if you allow it to.
Permit yourself to be authentic … you are allowed. Why? Because you were wired to be authentically the best version of you. Really!
Authenticity is facing up to answering hard questions about yourself, seeing the flaws, changing what you can, accepting what you can’t change, and knowing the difference.
Letting Go to Receive | A Two-step Action
Try making a fist and receiving something at the same time. That’s a very difficult task. If you can manage to balance something on top of that closed first, it won’t do you much good.
Therefore, let go of whatever is preventing you from receiving the key to mastering the skills and talents you have inside of you.
We tend to be sentimental and hold on to things and people in our lives that are stagnant. They are baggage that weighs you down. The end result … you drown.
Similarly, an excellent swimmer will sink if tied down by weights. Furthermore, not everyone or everything around you is good for your well-being.
You may feel compelled to feed into their lives while you become more and more depleted. You, too, need a source of encouragement and sustenance to draw from.
Take time out for yourself to regroup, regenerate, and relax. See what happens, especially if you didn’t seek their permission first.
They will cut you off!
And even if you’re thrown into a pit, there’s a way out. So, find the entrance and start digging. If you can’t run, crawl out.
When you get tired of fighting to validate yourself, find the strength to let go and receive the freedom to be your authentic self.
Remember, people who do not value you now may never see your worth. Do yourself and the world a favor … show up!
Be the Authentic You | Only You Can.
Who are you? Ask yourself what makes you who you are. Go back to the mirror and have that authentic conversation. You will have to detox and retrain your mind.
Do your achievements or lack of accomplishments define you? And, does what people say you will never become prove who you are? Moreover, is there room in your heart to become who you really are?
… You bet!
Only you can be you. It sounds simple, but that’s the reality. If you pose to be someone else or vice versa, you’re wearing a mask. Masks are for pretense.
Therefore, don’t fake it. Get help!
Here’s a three-step formula for detoxing …
- Pre-cleanse: Uproot the figurative cankerworms, hookworms, all manner of vipers and fiery darts. Their intention is to steal, kill, and destroy YOUR MIND.
- Cleanse: Next, stir up and cast out everything that has now been dislodged.
- Restoration: Finally, replace the stagnation with life-restoring elements to reveal your authentic self!
Now, it’s time to move forward.
Authenticity is Contagious | Spread It!
When you reveal who you are, people will take notice. There is no mask, no facade, just a wholesome picture of authenticity. In addition, this will allow them to start looking into themselves.
Action speaks louder than words … every time! Your words may be loud, but your actions will overshadow what you say. So, it’s important to practice what you preach.
Let your actions empower others to strive to be better, to look in the mirror, and to find out who they are. More importantly, lead by example. Show them how to find their authentic selves.
Ultimately, people will want to hear what you have to say. They know it’s coming from your heart and will trust you to lead the way. Be innovative and create avenues that lead others to flourish.
This article is entitled, “How to find your authentic self,” but you will want to intentionally spread this message simply by showing up. You have become irresistible!
Be Your Authentic Self | Seek, Find, and Receive
As you focus on finding your authentic self, you will seek out ways to get you there. It starts with looking into the mirror, through your eyes, and into your soul.
Don’t sink, swim. Get rid of the baggage. It will only take you to the bottom … a pit, perhaps.
Take off the mask and deal with what’s underneath. Others have been giving their own opinions about who you are. That doesn’t define you. So, do not fear what they have to say.
Detox … cleanse and restore!
When you have been restored to the authentic place you were wired to be, it will spread. Show up and create waves.
Please take note of the following:
- Authenticity generally refers to the quality of being genuine, real, or true, rather than being a copy or a fake.
- Moreover, it’s often used to describe things that are what they claim to be.
- In a broader sense, authenticity can also relate to people and their actions, implying honesty, integrity, and congruence between one’s actions and beliefs.
- For example, an authentic person would be someone who acts in accordance with their true self, values, and beliefs, without pretending to be someone else.
I hope this article, “How to Find Your Authentic Self | Let Go!” has been of help to you in some way. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. I will be more than happy to serve you.
Loving yourself is very important, it is required. There is nothing selfish about loving yourself, for how can you love others if you don’t love yourself?
I liked your exmample with the fist, trying to balance something on a closed fist. It is indeed hard. We must let go of our inner anger and frutrations, stop holding on to situations or people that made us feel bad. We must learn to let go. I agree, although I know how hard that something can be. It is all a learning process, isn’t it?
Know who you are and be who you are. Right now I am reading a book about letting go of judgement. Is there any book that you recommend that could help someone to put into practice habits to find his or her true self?
Hi Christine:
Thank you for showing up, taking the time to read, and adding your voice.
As I was writing the article, I pictured a closed fist trying to receive something. That’s why I shared it. I knew someone would appreciate that example.
The Bible book of James in the first chapter talks about being a doer of the word and not a hearer only. It likens someone who is only a hearer to one who sees himself in the mirror and goes away forgetting what he looks like.
I find the entire book helpful in practicing how to be one’s true self.
All the best in 2020.
This is solid advice. And you’re absolutely right about action speaking louder than words. I think that is one of the most crucial things people can do to become their real selves. If they do what they say on a regular basis, no matter how small or significant, then it goes a long way!
Hi Nate:
Thank you for your time and comments. I really appreciate that.
People tend to hold us accountable when we give them our word, and they should. We do the same thing with others also. Let’s strive for integrity in all our relationships. Like you said, “It goes a long way.”
All the best in 2020!
When we want to find our true self, just has you’ve stated, we should look at the mirror, and ask ourselves what do we want from life? What purpose is our living? When we look at the mirror, the question keeps coming over and over.
Sometimes, we need to let go of things that weigh us down, just like what you’ve said, “Don’t sink, swim. Get rid of the baggage. It will only take you to the bottom … a pit, perhaps.” When we do this, we’ll soon realized our potentials.
Knowing ourselves is very critical, and this is what we must.
Very informative article.
Hi Kell:
Happy New Year! Thank you for taking the time to read this article and share your thoughts. Yes, knowing ourselves is critical.
I wish you all the best as you go through life learning along the way.