Well hello to you my reader chums! Many of us go through life without expressing who we really are. This could be down to fear of not fitting in, being alone, or the judgment of what others may think of us, and honestly, it makes me sad. All of us deserve to live our life as our authentic selves and express who we really are - it's human nature.
Self-discovery is a process and every day, we learn more about ourselves, it's all part of the journey that is life - and it means, with every step, you'll grow and shape into the person you're meant to be.
If you're struggling with your identity or scared to express how you truly are, here are my best tips on learning to be your authentic self.
Self-acceptance
The first step to coming to terms with your authentic self is to accept who you are. These are your flaws, your favourite features, what you love, what you hate, and really what makes you, you. We're all individuals and it's important for us to express that part of ourselves as there is no point in being a clone of one another.
With self-acceptance, you'll be able to come to terms with who you are, learn to be okay with it, and love yourself more. And then, you'll be comfortable enough in yourself to express your authentic self to the world and those around you. Life is a journey of self-discovery and it's important to also note, you don't have to figure out and accept yourself overnight, it's a process.
Think about the people you surround yourself with
Who we surround ourselves with can have a big impact on the way we view ourselves and our life, and that's why it's important to surround yourself with people who support you, rather than bring you down. If you're surrounded by positive people and those who will love you for being who you truly are then you'll be able to learn to be your authentic self and live freely with your identity.
The right type of people will never judge you for being your authentic self and will want you to embrace all that is you. 'You're never too much for the right person' - this quote goes along these lines as someone who loves you whether platonically or romantically, will never think you're too much for being who you truly are.
Growing your self-confidence
With self-acceptance, comes confidence as you can start to live your life fully as you. Because you're aligning with your true self, confidence and happiness will naturally pull through, but it also means it's a great starting point on building your self-confidence more and learning to love yourself. Self-confidence doesn't happen overnight but expressing who you are, will give you the opportunity to follow up that confident path easier - trust me. It's easier to feel comfortable in your skin when you're being your authentic self, rather than conforming to what other people want you to be.
Expressing yourself in how you dress and look
Fashion is a funny old thing. Growing up, I always wanted to wear what was trendy or in style to fit in with everyone around me and look 'cool', but really it made me more unhappy as I wasn't being truly me. As I've gotten older, I've started to wear the clothes that were more me and look more like myself if that makes sense.
By expressing yourself through your image, you will also learn to be more confident in who you are and love your true self also. If you're nervous about this type of expression, start it off gradually making small changes to your clothes/appearance until you can fully embrace your true self in an exterior manner.
Pursuing your true passions
I always say to do what makes you happy in every aspect of life and that includes your hobbies and career. Not all of us are born with an 'I want to be this' attitude, but we all have those hobbies or activities which make our hearts soar - and that's what you should be focusing on. By pursuing your true passions, whether they're in work or play, you'll learn more about your authentic self and start to enjoy life a whole lot more.
Doing it anyway
We all have doubts about ourselves and question what we do, it's only natural and a part of human nature. However, part of being your authentic self and not caring what people think is having that no caring attitude and doing it anyway. This could mean quitting a job that isn't bringing you happiness, wearing a risky outfit, or cutting yourself out of a friendship group. The thing that is preventing you from being the real you, do it anyway.
Live for your beliefs and values
Not everybody has the same beliefs and values in life and that's okay, but it doesn't mean you need to change yours to fit in. The right sort of people will surround you for your beliefs and values and it's important to stick by them as they feed into who you are and what your authentic self is about.
We all have different backgrounds and upbringing and these are factors that shape who we are and we shouldn't have to change or be embarrassed by it. Learn to embrace it and accept your beliefs and values are a part of you to be able to live your true self.
Creating a safe space for others to be their true self
I'm one of those people to try and assure everyone that I can be a safe space for them as I would never want anyone to feel like they can't be themselves around be or express who they really are. We're all unique and deserve to live our lives that way, and that's why it's important to create a safe zone for your family and friends so they don't feel like they have to be someone else around you. They should be able to come to you being who they are and expressing their feelings with no judgment.
Obviously, we can't all get on with everyone and that's okay, but for the important people in your life, ensure that when they're with you, they know you'll support and reassure them in every possible way.
Why is it so important?
Being your authentic self is important for many reasons. It's important firstly because as humans we deserve to learn to be all that is us and love exactly who we are. But also, once you're on the level of loving your true self, you'll find you live more authentically in everything you do and only do things that align with the values of what you really want.
Being your authentic self can help you have a more positive mindset for your life and goals and will help you radiate towards everything that is right for you. Life is way too short to not live your full potential as you. You are unique, you are amazing and you are beautiful just by being you. There's no point trying to be someone else, that spot is already taken.
I hope you enjoyed this post. Do you have any other tips?
Thank you for reading <3