In today’s world, as we’re constantly surrounded by reality TV and social media, it can be difficult to know when others are being authentic and also makes it difficult to stay authentic to ourselves. However, if you’re striving for personal growth, happiness, and deep fulfillment, finding and staying true to your authentic self is one of the most important things you can do.

Now, sometimes we don’t even realize that we’ve shifted away from our true selves! One helpful thing to do is to think back to when you were younger and pinpoint one of the first times you ever felt yourself changing for others. Perhaps at some point during childhood, you felt pressured to fit in or influenced into acting in certain ways that were deemed ‘cool’ or ‘popular’.

Or maybe as a teen or young adult, you found a new love interest who tried to mold you into something you weren’t. There are many situations we face in our lives that can cause feelings of self-doubt, unworthiness, and make us lose sight of who we are and what we believe in.

And unfortunately, whether we can consciously see it or not, those same feelings tend to carry over into adulthood. And if we don’t address these feelings, they may continue to derail us from our true purpose as we navigate our careers, success, relationships, and life in general.

That’s why it’s so important to get in touch with your intuition, discover your most authentic self, and love yourself on a deep level. So today, I’d like to share with you a few ways to really unlock your most genuine self and embrace a life filled with authenticity. We are all deserving of love and acceptance for who we truly are, so here are some tips on how to live a more authentic life.
 

“Be yourself — not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.”

— Henry David Thoreau
 

Make mistakes

Mistakes happen. Why? Because no one is perfect. And that’s exactly why it’s important we make mistakes! Because constantly aiming for perfection often leads us to feel inferior if we fail to reach an unattainable goal. Making mistakes is one of the most authentic, real, and honest things we can do. Of course, we don’t want to linger too long on our mistakes, but giving yourself permission to make mistakes along the way allows you to try new things and opens up new doors and possibilities. Making mistakes provides you with the necessary lessons and breathing room to navigate life fully.
 

Forgive yourself

In addition to the mistakes we make in life, it’s equally important to forgive yourself. We don’t want to beat ourselves up over past mistakes as this can drastically lower our vibrational frequency. The most important person you should always seek to take care of first is you. And that means learning to release the unnecessary torture you may be putting yourself through by hanging on to things that didn’t go as planned. By ridding yourself of the need to dwell on bad choices, you inadvertently end up loving yourself even more. You are granting yourself the kindness and compassion you need to move about life in the most loving way. And the more you can love yourself, the more authentic you can show up in your daily life.

Protect your energy

Embracing healthy practices that allow you to maintain a clear and calm mindset is a fantastic way to live an authentic life. Things like your morning rituals or taking regular breaks when you feel overwhelmed, or practicing meditation to keep you grounded and in touch with your intuition are great habits to start. But the key here is to make sure you are engaging in the activities or practices that are unique to you. So if meditation isn’t your thing, don’t feel like you have to force it. Perhaps it’s winding down with a good book or a home-cooked meal – whatever brings out real joy and peace for YOU, do more of that.
 

Make your own rules

Of course, there are rules we all must follow that protect us and keep us safe from harm, but when it comes to self-improvement and living your most authentic life, it’s okay to set your own rules. For example, setting expectations for the life you want to live and the decisions you make to get there can be completely up to you.

And this should primarily come from your core values or the things that matter most to you in life. Hanging on to someone else’s idea of how we should think, look, or behave can derail us from authenticity. So make sure to check in with yourself regularly to ensure that your goals and dreams are what you really want. Because the thing is, it may seem like you’re being authentic on the surface, but deep down, you may notice that you’ve been constantly trying to please others or following someone else’s dreams. Leave space and time in your life to express your authentic self and discover what lights you up. Activities that connect you to your truest self will light you up and keep your energy levels at an optimal state.
 

Know yourself

Think about the person you were a month ago… a year ago… or even five years ago. Would you say that you’ve changed over that time period? The answer is probably yes! And because we are constantly morphing and shifting into new and hopefully better versions of ourselves each day, it’s crucial to check in and evaluate our core beliefs and values on a regular basis. You can do this by meditating, visualizing, journaling, talking to a loved one, and so on. Now, remember that your life path may not look the same as your friends, or as your parents, or even your spouse and that’s ok! The most important thing is to get really clear about who you are deep down so you can make choices that resonate with your most authentic self.
 

Be courageous

Living an authentic life takes courage…And a whole lot of it! Have you ever heard the saying, “If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t”? Well, this can definitely be applied to our own authenticity. You see, choosing to stand up for what you believe in, or choosing to go against the social norm when it feels like the better decision all takes courage. So be courageous in your own life! You have the ability to shape the life you lead, and you’re actually doing so as we speak! Staying committed to your authenticity means having the courage to live a life based on what you think is right and surrendering to that every day. This practice gives us the personal power to remain aligned with our core values instead of being derailed by external opinions or ideas.

So to bring it all together, unlocking your most authentic self will always start within. Give yourself time to connect to the unique person that you are and embrace regular self-reflection to gain the most crystal clear idea of what matters most to you. Like I just mentioned, we are all unique, navigating our own unique paths in life. So as long as you continue on your unique path, you will continue to live your most authentic life.

And while we’re here, I’d like to challenge you to go a little deeper. Take my Success Blocker Quiz today – it only takes 30 seconds – to reveal what may be blocking you from the happiness and success you truly desire. Because sometimes, we’ve got to look a little further within to uncover our innermost values and desires for living an authentic life. So, are you ready to uncover what that is for you? Take the quiz now to find out!