How To Be Your Authentic Self in 10 Ways

by ajohnson | Oct 8, 2024 | Blog, Opinion

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Former President Theodore Roosevelt

There’s always going to be someone out there who you think you could be just like or do better than, etc. and they may think it’s hurting them or their likeness. But in reality, the person who’s hurting is actually you. And those people who are looking up to you or looking to you are also missing out from you being you. Today, more than ever, I feel like people are trying to fake being authentic, because they are scared to show their authentic self.

How To Be Your Authentic Self: My Story

For a long time, I thought that I needed to be more like the “successful” people we see in media, or those who live and work around me in the world. So I completely took out my own personality and everything that makes me, me, and then I never got to share who or what I’m about. I was being the fake me, and trying to fit in with those that I THOUGHT I needed to be like.

I eventually learned to stop that and let my true self and colors shine. And you know what happened? People actually connected with and listened more than before! I was living in my authenticity and actually creating real connections. Not those inauthentic connections I had previously.

Tips on How To Be Your Authentic Self

Listen, there are so many times where taking the high road and acting like someone else versus living in your authenticity will feel better. But in reality, the growth comes in being vulnerable and opening up. That’s where real human connection happens. Here are a few ways you can be authentic and check yourself when you think maybe you aren’t being authentic.

Know who you are.

This is such an important one, and an absolute MUST to continue on down the line. It’s important to figure out the good, the bad, the ugly, and determine what parts of those you want to be a part of your personality. These are things that you would tell your family, your best friend, and what they know you for and can expect from you. There are also times where new things might pop up that you need to know how and if you want this to be part of your authentic self.

Trust yourself.

You know yourself better than anyone else. Trusting yourself and what made you is one of the key components to being your authentic self. You need to listen to your intuition, make decisions with confidence, and learn from your past mistakes. Listen to what your gut is telling you and follow along confidently. You can trust yourself because YOU know better than anyone who you are. You got this!

Learn how to meet your own needs.

When it comes to learning how to meet your own needs, you need to know what they are. Take time to reflect on what you truly need and how you can give yourself these things. Do you need space? Rest? Time to connect with your creativity? It’s really important to identify these things to give yourself the best chance at authenticity. Your needs must come first.

Give yourself space.

Sometimes, space is all you need to connect with who you are and become your authentic self. Schedule regular time for yourself to reflect and recharge, away from any distractions. You can do things like go on a nature walk, do some mindful breathing, or even meditate. Do whatever YOU like to do, in your own space, on your own terms.

Learn to be uncomfortable.

This is the part where you need to be comfortable being uncomfortable and learn your strengths and weaknesses. To truly grow and find our authentic self, we need to find what makes us uncomfortable and be comfortable recognize it. When you stay too comfortable your whole life, you never allow yourself the opportunity to grow or change. Try something new, step out of your comfort zone, and really allow yourself to sit in and work through your feelings.

Set boundaries.

Ahh, the terrifying word. If you’re like me, which if you’re reading this blog you probably are, boundaries are hard for you to set. And I get it, it can be super uncomfortable setting boundaries in the fear you might upset someone. But if you don’t set boundaries, the person you’re upsetting is yourself. Create some important, non-negotiable boundaries and be clear about what you need to feel comfortable in relationships and situations. It’s more than okay to protect your time and energy.

Surround yourself with support.

Support can be a huge cornerstone when it comes to embracing authenticity and finding yourself again. Surround yourself with people who help you cultivate good habits and want you to be your authentic self. Get rid of people who are secretly hoping you fail, and spend more time with people who help you feel good and bring you back to who you are and want to be.

Stay open to growth.

Understand that growth is a hugely important part of life. Be open to embracing new challenges that will develop who you are as a person. Just make sure you check in with yourself often to reassess your values and goals. While you do have to grow as a person, make sure you consider your mental health and be gentle with yourself. Don’t get too caught up on a growth journey if you’re only mentally ready to go slow. It doesn’t have to be an overnight process.

Avoid comparing yourself.

Remember that everyone’s path is unique on a journey to authenticity. However, try your hardest not to compare your progress to others. Focus on your own journey and what you want to get out of it. Also be mindful of the media you consume. You should only follow content that inspires authenticity rather than perfection. You want to feel good, not feel overshadowed or unworthy.

Express yourself.

Use art, writing, or music as a fun way to express yourself authentically. Express yourself through authentic communication, things you enjoy, and new challenges.

Quotes About Being Your Authentic Self​

  • “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” –Oscar Wilde
  • “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” –Carl Jung
  • “You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.” –John Mason
  • “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • “The only way to live is to accept each minute as an unrepeatable miracle.” –Jack Kerouac
  • “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.”– Brené Brown
  • “Just be yourself. Let people see the real, imperfect, flawed, quirky, weird, beautiful, and magical person that you are.” –Mandy Hale
  • “The greatest challenge in life is being yourself… in a world trying to make you like everyone else.” –Unknown
  • “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” –Steve Jobs
  • “It’s not what we have that will make us happy, it’s who we are.” –Margaret Fuller
Do you want to become your authentic self?

Being your authentic self can seriously change your life. You’ll worry less about what people think and spring out of bed eagerly every single morning. By following the tips above, you can get on the road to being who you truly want and NEED to be at heart. I hope that reading my story helped you, and if you’re interested in reading more, make sure you check out my blog!

 

 

How Can We Cultivate Good Habits

How Can We Cultivate Good Habits

by ajohnson | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog, Life, Opinion

I’ve read somewhere that we become what we repeatedly do. And I agree, but full disclosure, I have habits that I’m proud of, and there are those that I want to get away from. But, as we all know about bad habits, sometimes they’re just so hard to break. Habits can be good or bad. Whether it’s the food we love, the exercises we do, the way we drive, how we spend our weekends, or retail therapy, if it’s something you do routinely, then it’s a habit.

To change something in your life means incorporating habits into your routines. Sometimes it’s to change direction in yourHow Can We Cultivate Good Habits professional or personal life or the quality of your lifestyle that propels you to cultivate new habits. Habits are formed by doing it repeatedly, consciously, and subconsciously. 

There’s a 21/90 rule claiming that to make a new habit, it takes 21 days, and for it to be a permanent lifestyle change will take 90 days. You have to be committed to these changes. According to research, about 40% of daily activities are performed daily by people in quite similar settings and situations. In a session at the American Psychological Association’s 122nd Annual Convention, Wendy Wood said that “We find patterns of behavior that allow us to reach goals. We repeat what works, and when actions are repeated in a stable context, we form associations between cues and response.”

Unlearning bad habits and learning new ones is essential because change is inevitable. It happens at the home, workplace, school, and digital space. Cultivating new habitual behaviors is required towards a new lifestyle, better, healthier, and more meaningful. The process can be tedious, but there are ways to make it easier. Here are what I do; personally, that helps me cultivate good habits.

How Can We Cultivate Good Habits

Be clear and focused with what you want.

Before doing anything, know what you want, your goals, your end game. Be clear of what you want to change in your life, How Can We Cultivate Good Habitsand it should be for yourself and not for someone else. If you’re planning to change your diet, be specific about what you want to attain.

Is it to lose weight? Be physically stronger? Be mentally healthier? When your mind is all set on a goal, it’s easier to follow through with your planned changes. Be goal-oriented, and making decisions will be easier. 

Use motivating rewards.

Changing habits can be daunting. Create a rewards system that will keep you motivated. Make sure that the rewards will not steer you away from progress. In other words, it should still be aligned with your ultimate goal. One example is rewarding yourself with lovely athletic wear if you’re able to maintain your exercise stats for two weeks. It is helpful, especially if you’re into a pretty workout outfit. It’s a simple reward that indeed makes you more motivated to work out.

Start simple.

The secret to getting ahead is getting started even in small increments. Taking the smallest steps in the direction you want is enough to say that you’re on the right track and who knows, it ends up being the most significant step in your lifetime. For example, to have a healthier eating habits, you can start with changing your breakfast routine by having fresh fruits. 

Trust the process.

Cultivating new habits is a process, and that process is as important as your final goal. Hold your vision and trust the process. It’s essential to be patient with yourself as you go through every step of the change. Stay consistent in your faith that you can get through it, and things will work out the way they’re supposed to be. 

Get rid of temptations.

Be mindful of what you surround yourself with. If you want to curb your spending habits, get rid of online shopping apps,Making good habits stick unfollow online shops in your social media accounts, and unsubscribe to newsletters from your usual online shops. Curate your exposure to temptations and be consistent with them.

Get an accountability partner.

Tell someone who you trust so much, someone who will help you be accountable for your actions. They can give you extra motivation because knowing that your goals is acknowledged by someone else will push you to be consistent. Posting your plan somewhere also helps in getting accountable. 

Tracking Your Progress

Knowing how you’re faring in your goals or new habits helps inconsistency. Keeping track of your progress means being purposeful. Whether they’re small or big wins, track it. When you see your results, you’re giving more meaning to what you’re doing, and it also gives you an insight into the value you’re adding to your life.

Good Habits to Cultivate

Read more.

Reading helps you have a new perspective of the world, regardless of the genre. Before sleeping or during your downtime, keep a book on your bedside table or your bag. Choose a book that resonates with your interest so it would be easy to build your reading habit. You can start to create a habit that instead of picking up your phone to mindlessly scroll, you instead pick up a book and enjoy some nice pages. 

Eat a balanced diet.

Make some changes to your eating habits. Eat more organic food and make sure you’re drinking enough water. Even drinking a glass of water with breakfast, lunch, and dinner is a great way to make a simple change. You can check with a nutritionist to see which diet works for you best. Even if you’re not ready to take a massive leap yet, just be gentle with yourself and opt for small changes like adding more meat and leafy greens to your diet and avoiding sugar or any nasties that might make you feel worse.

Exercise regularly.

Take some time to exercise in your daily life. It is massively beneficial to your mental health and helps in having a better sleeping pattern. The first step towards a healthy lifestyle is to just get out there and get going. Whether you go for a five minute walk or a ten mile run, you will be making a massive difference in your life. Even five minutes of yoga or gentle breathing is a great way to create a healthy habit.

Establish a positive mental attitude.

Establishing a positive mental attitude is extra important in every aspect of your life, especially when it comes to creating positive habits. Developing a positive mental attitudeHow to make habits stick makes you see things differently. It also helps you control your stress levels and indulge in healthy habits. A positive mental attitude, even if you fake it til you make it at first, will eventually become the real deal and help you live a much better life with good habits.

Embrace change.

Change always happens, it’s part of life, but of course, it doesn’t mean that it’s easy to embrace some of those changes. Since the future is uncertain, make sure to learn how to adapt so you’d be able to add value to your life and the community.

Take time.

Prioritize yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so spend some time yourself and do what makes you happy. You need to take time to really invest in YOU. If you need a little more time to start or more time to get going, don’t panic! Everyone has different timelines and not everyones life looks the same. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself plenty of time to make changes.

Take time to create positive habits in your life.

Cultivating new habits is part of self-care. To keep you motivated, just remember that you’re doing it because you want to have a better life. While it may seem hard at first, you need to have some faith in yourself, implement the tips above in your daily routine, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a habitually better life!