Am I Truly Being my Authentic Self?
I often pretend to be something or someone I’m not so I think. I struggle with a lot of self-doubts and I am always worrying about what others will think. I mean if you have ever watched any of my Youtube videos or listened to any podcast episodes, you would think I have it all together and that I am an extrovert. Wrong I am a total introvert. However, it’s important to know that I do share my truths on Chats from the Blog Cabin, so what you see and hear is what you get.
It’s only natural that I want to be accepted but the key to staying true to yourself is not worrying too much about what others think or believe. This one is so hard for me- folks I am an Enneagram Two ( and if you know anything about Two’s is that we are givers and helpers, sometimes to our own detriment), so it is hard to have people, sometimes close friends not accept you for who you are.
So here are some things I have learned about myself in this season of self-discovery:
I can’t live up to the person I am pretending to be
If I can’t be my authentic self, I will falter at some point. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Did you ever notice that people who lie, often tell a different story later? This is because they won’t remember what the story was in the past and have no choice but to make up new details. If I am pretending to be someone I am not, this is essentially the same as lying.
It’s Important to Know Who I am
It’s important that I know myself. This may seem like an obvious statement, but many people don’t know who they are. I have had to dig deep to discover the aspects of my life that I tend to ignore or keep hidden. I found that is there is no need to hide my true personality- because people are gonna like me or they aren’t. I have to face the fact that no everybody is going to like me and I can’t change that.
Stop trying to be someone else
Everyone has people they look up to. However, looking up to someone and trying to be them is not the same. It’s worthwhile to imitate some of their desirable traits, but I had to make sure I wasn’t stepping outside of who I was deep down. Sometimes that means stepping away from a job that in years prior brought me joy but now only makes me feel worst about myself.
I can’t compromise on my values
If I believe in something, I have to stand firm. Sometimes, I have no choice but to make some compromises, but don’t cave in if they go against what I believe. Because ultimately I am the one who has to live with the choices. I want to be able to sleep at night. And folks, that is a big one for me- I would give anything to have a full week of full night sleeps. I average at the most maybe 3-4 hours and they are restful either.
Negativity should not be a character trait I accept
This one is hard for me. I have struggled since childhood with negative self-talk and I always doubt myself. I know won’t get far with negativity so I have to make a conscious effort to find something to be grateful for every day. Focusing on the positive is an amazing way to get out of my head. I
Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal is one of the best ways to figure out “who you are”, I journal in my Bible. I wrote my thoughts, prayers, and anything else I feel like God is telling me in the margins of my Bible. I sometimes draw a silly picture or two and add things that I have found along my journey. I have decided that I want to get a new Bible each year because I want to see encounter new ways to see and hear God every day. I have also found that it is easier, to be honest when writing down my thoughts. My journal allows me to reflect on who I am, and then I can figure out what to do when certain situations arise.
This summer had been a journey of finding my authentic self, have I finished with the journey No! But I think I have made a great start. So tell me do you find these tips about being your authentic self useful? Drop a comment below and let me know.
I appreciate your transparency. It is hard to admit… reality when the internet is so… cultivated. Being in a place of honest but also keeping some of yourself to yourself for privacy… it is all a hard balance
Yes it is so true. But I have learned that when you are transparent that is what most people want.