People often pretend to be something or someone they aren’t. Often in social situations, people act differently than they do with their close friends and family. However, it’s important to stay true to who you are, i.e., to be your authentic self.
It’s natural that people want to be accepted but the key to staying true to yourself is not worrying too much about what others think or believe. People should accept you for who you are. Don’t waste your time on people who don’t.
1 – You can’t live up to the person you are pretending to be.
If you aren’t being your authentic self, you will falter at some point. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Did you ever notice that people who lie, often tell a different story later? This is because they won’t remember what the story was in the past and have no choice but to make up new details. If you are pretending to be someone you are not, this is essentially the same as lying.
2 – Know who you are.
It’s important to know yourself. This may seem like an obvious statement, but many people don’t know who they are. Dig deep to discover the subtle aspects of your life that you tend to ignore or keep hidden. There is no need to hide your true personality because that is who you are. You can’t change that.
3 – Stop trying to be someone else.
Everyone has people they look up to. However, looking up to someone and trying to be them is not the same. It’s worthwhile to emulate some of their desirable traits, but make sure you aren’t stepping outside of who you are deep down.
4 – Don’t compromise on your values.
If you believe in something, stand firm. Sometimes, you’ll have no choice to make some compromises, but don’t cave in if they go against your beliefs. You must live with these choices. You want to be able to sleep at night.
5 – Negativity should not be a character trait you accept.
You won’t get far with negativity. If you are a negative person, this is not who you truly are. Remember, you don’t come out of the womb being negative. It’s something you learn. It’s time to unlearn it.
6 – Keep a journal.
Keeping a journal is one of the best ways to figure out “who you are”. People often find that it is easier to be honest when writing down their thoughts. A journal will allow you to reflect on who you are, and then you can act accordingly.
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Actionable Steps
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| Brainstorm a list of values that you truly believe in. Focus on the values that you feel/believe very strongly. This list will become your “core values”. Consider these the values you will never waiver on.
| Strive to be more positive by finding affirmations to use. These affirmations should revolve around the idea of being your authentic self. If there is an aspect of your personality you are struggling to accept, then focus your affirmations there.
| To be your authentic self, you sometimes need to stand up to others. This takes courage. To increase your courage, try activities that are outside your normal routine. Commit to meeting a new person every month. Also, try activities like zip-lining or skydiving. Your courage will strengthen because of these activities.
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