What the hell is Authenticity?

Authenticity and Self Discovery

The idea of authenticity is everywhere!

Bring your true self to everything you do!

But who is this true self?

Essentially, it's about being genuine, living and expressing what is true to you, and embracing your true self at all times.

But what does this mean for the average person?

Being authentic isn't like a piece of clothing you can put on; it's not body armor.

Before we continue, let's mention self-discovery, another popular concept. So, not only do we have to be authentic, but we also have to discover ourselves. It's all a bit complicated.

When we're asked to find our true self, what exactly are we seeking?

Apparently, we all have an inner self that differs from the one we wake up with every day.

So, where does this leave me as a life coach? Well, first, I don't have a magic wand. Second, I believe that what's in the past is in the past. Of course, the past affects us; every experience shapes who we become, but it doesn't have to define us forever. We all have choices. This is where the call to be authentic and discover who you truly are can become confusing and muddled.

In my view, authenticity is about living in the moment, and self-discovery is about moving forward. It's about looking at my life from a broader perspective and being true to myself about what I want in the future. The past is done, and if we cling to it too tightly, we become stagnant, and our true authentic self is stifled, never given the chance to breathe.

Often, I meet people who are perfectly content with who they are—happy in their space. Then they're enrolled in a work training course and are told to discover who they really are and find an authentic workplace self.

There's the perennial problem: everywhere, whether it's social media, podcasts, television, or books, every form of communication tells us how to find this nirvana within us. It's a constant barrage of demands to become this authentic self.

I think it's more confusing than helpful. The brain and body can become so overloaded that they can't cope anymore, resulting in confusion and possibly failure.

Today, there's so much categorization in life. Finding where to fit in can be daunting. This can lead people to try to fit into certain categories, taking them far from who they truly are and the authentic person they already are.

Trying to fit and attach ourselves to labels doesn't allow for any discovery of our own character and what truly makes us tick in life. We need to be more confident in finding our own personal labels and the authenticity that resides within us. We all possess our own authenticity.