The Courage to Be Authentic

“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.”

-Brene Brown

As we age, one of the deepest regrets many of us feel is that we did not live life as we truly wanted. Perhaps, we conformed to societal or familial norms. Perhaps, out of fear. However, when we take risks toward our desired goals we tend to feel more loved, satisfied, and content with life. When we let down our guard and allow ourselves to be open and honest, we create opportunities for true intimacy and trust.

But it can be scary to show :

• Our Mistakes/Shortcomings

• Our Fears

• Our Gifts/Strengths

• Our Quirks/ Foibles

• Our Hopes/Dreams

Why?

We expect a positive response when we express our enthusiasm about something or open up to someone honestly. However, if the other person fails to mirror back our excitement or judges us for our honesty, we feel hurt. This can cause us to retreat into ourselves and avoid sharing or doing certain things in the future to prevent further emotional pain. It's a protective mechanism to shield ourselves from potential rejection, criticism, and additional pain.

BUT

A shield like that is costly. Many of us find ourselves over-accommodating in our friendships, working in exhausting jobs we do not want, coexisting in unfulfilling marriages, and giving in to our children. You might find yourself saying, “How did I get here? Where has the time gone? How could I have let this go so far? I feel like I’ve lost myself”.

Authenticity is a deeply vulnerable state that requires laying down our defenses and allowing ourselves to be truly seen. It's often evident in our ability to show up fully when the instinct is to retreat or withhold.

We might hear a little voice on the inside telling us that we know we should say something or take a risk.

Vulnerability exposes the soft parts of us. The parts we might be ashamed of or proud of.

Authenticity opens us up to more possibilities, greater relationships, and deeper love. It validates our place in this world and encourages us to take up space.

If you are having difficulty expressing yourself or feel that you are living a life that does not truly reflect your authentic self, there’s support and help available to guide you through this process, fill out the form below to get started or call (832-234-1046). Remember your true self can never be lost.