What it means to be your authentic self?

Authentic self means:

Being your true authentic self means what you say in life aligns with what your actions. Your authentic self goes beyond what you do for a living, what possessions you own, or who you are to someone (mom, brother, girlfriend). It is who you are at your deepest core. It is about being true to yourself through your thoughts, words, and actions, and having these three areas match each other. When we aren’t in touch with our authentic self, it’s easy to go into “people pleasing” mode and do and say things based off of what is expected of us, or based off of social and peer pressure.

What can happen when you’re not living as your authentic self:

Keep in mind, your authentic self is completely different from what our society encourages these days, which is leading with your best self. There is a time and place for presenting our best self: job interview, first dates, etc. However, when we lead with our best self too often, that can leave us editing and managing very real and unique aspects of who we truly are, leaving behind our authenticity. For example, on websites like Pinterest and Facebook, people share creatives ideas, pictures of their new home, or pictures on vacation, or latest updates about the cute things their kids are doing. What you will likely not see is pictures of how they burned their cookies on their first attempt of a new recipe, or pictures of how messy that new home gets, or the really annoying things their kids are also doing. This kind of “life editing” can be a slippery slope to trying to reach perfection, and losing your true sense of self. I like this idea that intimacy is presenting the full you…. And online, or an interview you are only presenting a “real” you but only the positives. People tend to live their life based on obligations, roles and expectations, and a lot of “should’s.” This can prevent you from living in the moment and focusing on what isn’t in your life, rather than what is, or focusing too much on the next step.

Risks to being your authentic self:

When considering anything new, it’s important to assess the advantages and the risks. Here are some of the risks that come with leading with your authenticity:

People won’t like you.
People won’t accept the real you.
People will judge you.
Your feelings might get hurt.
You lose control. You can’t control how people will respond to your authenticity and honesty.
Overall, you are more vulnerable to the unknown.

What is the benefit of being your authentic self

When we are authentic, we stay true to ourselves, and who we genuinely are. We are present in the here and now. We do what makes us happy, we follow our passions regardless of who we disappoint, or how it may be perceived by others. Living a life of authenticity is a constant effort, and means sacrifice. Not everyone in our lives will respond well to our authentic self, because of how it may impact them. We have the opportunity for others to love us and accept us for who we are at our core. When we are being authentic, we are being vulnerable; we are showing all parts of us, the good with the bad. When we do this, we allow for more intimate and honest relationships, and we allow for true acceptance and unconditional love.

How do you know if you are being authentic?

You know you are being authentic when:

Your job gives you a sense of purpose or fulfillment, rather than feeling drained and lacking energy .
You believe your relationships are based off of honesty, and genuine respect for who we truly are.
When out in social situations, you feel as though you are presenting the real you, rather than someone you’re not.
You’re unsure of how others will respond to you, but regardless you are proud of who are and who you are being.

Have you been convinced to be the more authentic you, but don’t know where to start? Here are 5 simple steps you can take to start being your more authentic self today.

Take a vacation from social media (COMPLETELY!) for two weeks. This will help remove the peer pressure, and will help you in decreasing the habit of “life editing.”
Decipher between should’s and wants. Monitor your use of these two words. When you catch yourself using the word “should” consider taking that activity off the table for the week. At lease use this opportunity to ask yourself why are you really doing/or agreeing to this particular thing? Should implies doing things based off of obligation, or based on how others will respond. You can’t control how others will react. Doing things based on others is not a good way to make life choices.
Journal and track. Take out a pen and record. What does it feel like when you are more authentic vs when you are “presenting?” Do you notice anything physically or emotionally different? Do feel happy or guilty when you are being authentic, or are you tired? Does your breathing patterns change at all? Do you notice an appetite change or headaches? Are your thought patterns different? Are your thoughts more positive, negative, are you more or less focused on materialistic things? There are differences, you just have to practice your awareness in identifying them.
The next time someone casually asks you in passing, “How are you today?” Really think about your answer before you so quickly blurt out, “Great! you?” Ask yourself “Am I really ‘great?’ Maybe i’m just ‘fine’ or ‘hanging in there.’ It’s a simple interaction, but it’s an easy moment to be people pleasing and give a really empty answer.
Volunteer. Before you go and question if this conflicts with the “should theory,” pick an issue you care about, or you were always curious about but never took it a step further. Use this as an opportunity to give back and show gratitude for your life, but do this through an activity or organization that helps you feel passion. Beware, it sounds easier than it really is. You are being asked to be a cause that speaks to you, not to pick a cause that has the most headlines right now, or how it will look to those on the outside.

And remember, the goal is to work towards being more authentic, not being 100% authentic over night. Developing and revealing our authenticity is a process, it takes time. When in doubt, ask yourself if your thoughts and feelings match your behaviors, that is where the true authenticity lies.

At TCFG you can schedule directly online with a therapist. If you prefer talking to a therapist first, you may call (215) 922-LOVE (5683) ext 100 to be connected with our intake department. Lastly, you can call our Director, “Alex” Caroline Robboy, CAS, MSW, LCSW at (267) 324–9564 to discuss your particular situation. For your convenience, we have six physical therapy offices and can also provide counseling and therapy virtually.

Our Guarantee: If after your first session you are not sold that you are working with the right therapist, do not hesitate to call our intake line at 215 922 5683 x 100 or Alex at (267) 324-9564 and ask to be rescheduled with another therapist. The choice of how you want to proceed is yours. Our only goal is to support you in becoming the best you possible.

For your convenience, we have brick and mortar offices and work with clients virtually in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Physical Therapy Office Locations:

Ocean City Therapy Office 360 West Ave, Floor 1, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Mechanicsville Therapy Office 9044 Mann Drive, Mechanicsville Virginia, 23116
Society Hill Therapy Office 233 S. 6th Street, C-33, Philadelphia PA 19106
Art Museum / Fairmount Therapy Office 2401 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 1a2, Philadelphia PA 19130
Providence Therapy Office 173 Waterman St. Providence, RI 02906
Fayetteville Therapy Office 101 Devant Street #606, Fayetteville GA 30214
Santa Fe Therapy Office, 2204 B Brothers Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505
Telemedicine Therapy Locations: We have therapists who are licensed to work in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Virginia and Pennsylvania

Therapy Services Offered in Fayetteville, Ocean City, Mechanicsville, Philadelphia, Providence, Santa Fe:

Individual Counseling and therapy
Couples Counseling and marriage counseling
Teen Therapy and Adolescent Therapy and tweens and child counseling
Family Therapy and multi-generational counseling
Art Therapy and Counseling no art skills needed
ADHD Therapy and ADD, Dyslexia, Autism, Tourettes counseling
Anxiety, Panic, OCD Therapy and worry and fear support
Breaking the cycle of Codependency and being your own person
Overcoming Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain .
Depression Therapy and sadness, gloom, and upset support
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Therapy is a particular style of therapy designed for people with problems affecting their nervous system, how the brain and body send and receive signals.
Grief Therapy and loss, End of A Relationship, rejections, pregnancy and loss and therapy
Mindfulness Based Therapy and spirituality based therapy
Narcissistic Abuse Recovery child of, parent of, spouse of, sibling of a narcissist.
Sex Therapy and sexual function & dysfunction, sex addiction, sexual orientation and gender identity support
Shame and Blame
Trauma Therapy both emotional and sexual abuse, complex trauma, PTSD counseling
Divorce support
Affairs, Infidelity, Unfaithful, Cheating counseling
Parenting therapy
Personality disorder treatments Narcissist, Borderline, Histrionic
Anger Management Therapy
Setting Boundaries and identifying ones own Core Beliefs

Just name some of the Mental Health issues that we work with. Our goal is to help you Change and Achieve Your Dreams

How did we start to use the term “authentic self”?

The term “authentic self” has roots in psychology and philosophy and has been used to describe the concept of being true to one’s own nature, values, and identity. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the term, its use can be traced back to various philosophical and psychological discussions over time. Here’s a general overview of its evolution:

Philosophical Roots: The concept of authenticity and living in alignment with one’s true self has been explored in philosophical traditions for centuries. Existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Søren Kierkegaard discussed themes of authenticity, freedom, and individuality.
Psychological Exploration: In psychology, the idea of being authentic and genuine in one’s actions and relationships gained prominence in the mid-20th century. Psychologists like Carl Rogers emphasized the importance of authenticity in client-centered therapy.
Humanistic Psychology: The humanistic psychology movement, which emerged in the mid-20th century, focused on the potential for individuals to achieve self-actualization and personal growth by being true to themselves.
Popularization: The term “authentic self” gained wider recognition as self-help literature and personal development discussions became more popular in the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st century.
Identity and Social Movements: The concept of the authentic self became more intertwined with discussions about identity, self-expression, and social movements advocating for acceptance and authenticity, particularly in LGBTQ+ communities and social justice contexts.

It’s important to note that the concept of the authentic self is multi-dimensional and can be interpreted in various ways depending on philosophical, psychological, and cultural perspectives. The idea revolves around embracing one’s true identity, values, and desires rather than conforming to societal expectations or external pressures.

While the exact coining of the term might not have a single origin, its emergence can be attributed to a combination of philosophical inquiries, psychological theories, and societal shifts toward valuing individuality and self-expression.

What it means to be your authentic self?

Posts by Jennifer Foust

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