“I’m not really sure who I am.” I ve thought this so many time and I know I am not alone. Most of us feel like we’re living a false life – going through the motions and pretending to be someone we’re not.
How many can say that we are living our authentic life? When was the last time you stopped and took a good, hard look at yourself and asked yourself whether you’re really being true to yourself? For many of us, the answer is “not often” or even “never”.
We go through our lives on autopilot, not really taking the time to think about who or what we want out of life. As a result, we end up living lives that are inauthentic and unfulfilling. Who says we have to stay that way?
In this blog post, I’m going to share with you some tips on how to connect with your true self and live an authentic life.
Defining what “authentic” means to you
To me, living an authentic life means being true to who I am and what I want. It means understanding my personal values and striving to find situations in which those values can be expressed. It is also about exploring new things, listening to my intuition, and learning from every experience.
Being authentic isn’t exactly easy; it involves connecting with inner vulnerabilities and processing difficult, big emotions. But once we do the work of getting to know ourselves better, living authentically becomes the gateway to a rewarding life full of meaning.
How to connect with your true self
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I have no idea who my true self is. Like, at all. And I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this boat. If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent most of your life trying to figure out who you are and what your purpose is.
You’ve gone through the ups and downs of life, making choices and decisions that have led you to where you are today. But here’s the thing: at some point along the way, we all get lost.
We forget who we are and what we’re supposed to be doing with our lives. We become so caught up in the day-to-day that we lose sight of our goals and dreams. So how do we find our way back? How do we reconnect with our true selves?
I’ll share with you some of the things that have helped me connect with my true self and hopefully, they’ll help you too.
1. Get rid of all the distractions in your life – social media, television, etc. (at least for a while)
Looking to achieve a greater connection with your true self? Take the first step now by cutting down on all the distractions of life.
We all know how easy it is to get lost in Netflix binges and incessantly scrolling through Twitter or Tiktok – but if you’re really looking to reconnect with who you truly are, it’s time to switch off that screen. You’ll be doing yourself (and your inner-self) a favor by getting rid of these daily distractions, leaving room for genuine reflection and mindfulness.
You will be doing a favor to your kids as well, try giving kids chores so they can learn responsibility while getting a much-needed screen time break.
2. Spend time alone in nature, and really take in your surroundings
Nature has a way of clearing our minds like nothing else can. Taking a few hours to take in your surroundings, away from the noise and distractions of the city, is one of the best ways to reconnect with yourself and gain a sense of inner peace.
Whether it’s lost in the stars on a camping trip, or taking in sunsets on a beach walk, spending time alone in nature has limitless potential to help you remember who you truly are. Allowing you to be all alone and undisturbed can provide clarity that often gets lost among the chaos of daily life.
3. Connect with your creative side by taking up a new hobby
Trying something new, like taking on a new hobby, can be just the thing you need to bring more creativity into your life. As scary as it can be to step outside of your comfort zone, why not take the plunge and explore some activities that will not only help you stoke your own creative side.
Also, who knows what kind of passions you may find in the process. Learning new things is always exciting and connecting with your creativity can give you an added boost of energy and focus that you never knew was possible. So don’t be afraid to express yourself 🙂
4. Get to know yourself better by writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal
Unlocking your true inner self is not an easy task, but journaling can take you one step closer. When you write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal, it allows for self-reflection.
As you write on the pages, take time to pause and ask yourself: why did I think/feel like that? It’s amazing how those reflections will lead to self-discovery and awareness of who you truly are.
If you want to get to know yourself better, make journaling a part of your daily routine — even if it’s just five minutes each day — and watch as the pieces of the puzzle slowly start coming together.
5. Be honest with yourself about what you want out of life and what makes you happy
It can be immensely difficult to get clarity on what it is that we really want out of life – and even more so when we take into account our own unique desires and happiness. However, if you are honest with yourself, those goals become clearer and it becomes easier to connect with your one true self.
It’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all answer – what feels right to someone else may not feel right for you, only you can overcome your fears.
Take the time to evaluate your needs and identify your own desires to allow you to create a life that truly reflects who you are; that’s how you properly connect with your true self!
Why it’s important to live an authentic life
We all live a life that often feels incomplete, but when we start to open up and reconnect with who we truly are; it can make us feel revitalized and alive. Living an authentic life gives us the freedom to create our own narrative and find meaning in what makes us unique, rather than competing with expectations or comparing ourselves to others.
When we take a leap of faith and live by faith, we embrace who we truly are it can be quite liberating. It might even bring out our inner most desires, drive, ambition and creativity, making us more fulfilled than ever before.
Not only this, but being honest with ourselves helps build integrity – which is essential for stronger relationships and increased self-confidence too!
The benefits of living an authentic life
This isn’t just about radiating self-confidence or achieving your hopes and dreams – though those are both very desirable outcomes. It’s about getting to the core of who you really are, disregarding all the white noise that has accumulated over the years from other people’s opinions, societal expectations, and so forth.
When you live authentically, it allows you to make decisions based on your own values, needs and beliefs. Furthermore, it creates an inner peace (think Kungfu Panda) because you no longer feel enslaved by false assumptions or anything that isn’t true to the spirit of who you are.
Being true to yourself means living a life of fulfillment and joy – how amazing is that?
Tips for living an authentic life
In a world full of filters and fake news, it’s more important than ever to live authentically. But what does that mean? How can you be sure you’re living your best life? Here are some tips for living an authentic life, from someone who’s learned the hard way. (Newsflash: it has nothing to do with following trends or impressing others).
1. Be yourself
It sounds simple, but it’s actually one of the hardest things to do. We are constantly bombarded with images and messages telling us who we should be, and it can be hard to resist the pressure to conform. The key is to remember that there is no “right” way to be, and that you are perfect just the way you are.
2. Follow your heart
This is another cliché, but it’s true nonetheless. You know what makes you happy, so follow that path and don’t let anyone dissuade you from it. Life is too short to do anything else.
3. Don’t take yourself too seriously
This is perhaps the most important tip of all. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured. So relax, have fun, and don’t sweat the small stuff.
4. Be kind
One of the best ways to live an authentic life is to be kind to others. We all have our own battles to fight, and a little compassion can go a long way.
5. Live in the moment
It’s easy to get caught up in the past or worry about the future, but neither of those things can be changed. All we have is the present moment, so make the most of it!
Before you go…
Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to living an authentic life that is true to you – not anyone else! And isn’t that the point? To be happy, fulfilled, and free?
An easy way to do this is to simply read, write and reflect – asking yourself the important questions like “what am I grateful for today?” or “What kind of person am I trying to become?”.
At the end of the day, it’s really about understanding YOU and having a deeper connection with who YOU are. It’s amazing what taking time out for yourself each day can do.
Whether it’s sitting in silence, writing about your feelings or just engaging in some creative pursuits – take some time every now and then to reconnect with yourself. Be- YOU-tiful!
Charlie
Charlene is a published author/writer who has embarked on a personal journey, with the hope of providing guidance, support and advice to all who may need it.