5 Tips to Help You Lead a More Authentic Life

Thank you for joining the Wellness Bum community! I’m Valerie; I help high achievers learn how to work and live at a pace that's optimal for their well-being. The Sunday Wellness Rewind is a weekly newsletter with wellness wisdom, resources, tips, and tools on personal and professional well-being for everyday life. This newsletter aims to provide you with actionable information in a condensed form to help you embrace a journey to holistic bliss.

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I am a big proponent of authenticity. For me, authenticity means being true to yourself and everything that makes you unique, even if others don’t immediately understand or accept those things. It’s about being comfortable with yourself and not caring what others think. In this article, I’ll share several tips for becoming more authentic in your everyday life to lead a more fulfilling and honest existence!

Be Who You Are With Everyone

Be yourself with everyone, always.

Authenticity signifies being true to oneself, regardless of the situation. What illustrates this better than consistently being yourself with everyone you encounter? It’s tempting to alter who we are to gain approval or acceptance, but resist that temptation! Staying true to your essence will bring you long-term happiness (enabling you to reflect on your life with pride) and magnetize people who genuinely value the real you.

Our vast world has ample room for diverse personalities and perspectives.

Don’t feel compelled to change to suit someone else’s preference. Always remember, people will appreciate you for who you genuinely are, not some tailored version designed to please them. Authenticity lies in adhering to your true self in every circumstance, reinforcing the importance of being yourself with everyone, everywhere.

Be Honest About Your Mistakes

When you stumble and make a mistake, please don’t shy away from acknowledging it. Admitting to our errors isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a testament to our strength and self-awareness. Recognizing our faults enables us to address and rectify them, allowing for personal growth and demonstrating our ability to learn and improve.

Many of us grow up with the belief that we must project perfection and overcome every challenge seamlessly. However, this approach can stifle our genuine selves and hinder authentic living. Perfection is an illusion—we are all beautifully imperfect beings, and embracing our flaws helps us learn and evolve without shame.

So, the next time you falter, remember to face it with honesty. Embrace your imperfections; they make you human, relatable, and uniquely you.

Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say

Leading a more authentic life hinges on honesty with yourself and others. Being direct about your intentions and the meaning of what you say lays the groundwork for a genuine connection.

Embracing authenticity also involves taking risks and letting go of rigid expectations. Understand that life doesn’t always follow a linear path, and the unexpected twists can add richness to your journey.

Furthermore, an authentic life requires accountability. It’s about owning your mistakes, learning from them, and moving forward without shifting blame or making excuses. Embrace these principles, and watch how they transform your life!

Pay Attention to Your Values

Living an authentic life starts by reflecting on your core values. Ask yourself these questions:

• What are my fundamental beliefs and principles?

• Why are these values important to me?

• How do they influence my behavior and decisions?

• Which of these values resonate most with who I am, and why?

Once you recognize your core values, aligning your actions with them becomes the next significant step. It’s not always easy; it requires making mindful choices about how you spend your time, the work you engage in, the company you keep, and so much more.

But remember, you’re not alone on this journey. Others can guide and support you. Perfection isn’t the goal; what matters is your awareness of these values and their influence on your life. It’s okay to make mistakes or occasionally lose sight of a value; the essential thing is continually striving to live in harmony with what truly matters to you.

Understand Your Worth, and Be Comfortable with It

Understanding your own value is not just about recognizing your worth; it’s a crucial step toward building confidence and comfort within yourself. You are a valuable individual with unique qualities and deserve respect and love. You have every right to feel pride in who you are and your achievements.

Sometimes, the world around us might not see or appreciate our true worth. People may overlook or even disregard our uniqueness. It’s a common human experience, but this external perception should never define your internal truth. Even if others fail to see your worth or recognize your importance, it doesn’t alter the deep understanding you should have of yourself.

You are unique, special, and vital in this vast universe, crafted with specific talents, passions, and a unique perspective. Perhaps your uniqueness is in how you approach problems, the creativity you bring to your art, the empathy you extend to others, or the perseverance that drives you forward. It’s not just something abstract; it’s very real and tangible. Embrace how you were made and don’t be afraid to stand out.

Your value isn’t just a reflection of your professional or social success; it’s a deeper recognition of your humanity and your place in the world. Knowing this, it’s time to go out there and confidently pursue your own path. Dive into your passions, forge meaningful relationships, set ambitious goals, and don’t be afraid to stumble and learn along the way.

Never forget: You are worth more than you might believe. This isn’t just a nice sentiment; it’s a fundamental truth that can guide you. Your worth doesn’t fluctuate with your circumstances or other people’s opinions. It’s a constant and always there for you to tap into.

Get in the habit of always being yourself, no matter the context.

What does it matter what others think or say about you? Why be concerned if someone disapproves of your actions? These questions may arise when we are swayed by external opinions, but it’s essential to realize that authenticity transcends other people’s judgments.

If being true to yourself makes sense, then pursue it without apologizing! Your sense of self-worth should never be contingent on approval from others. Embrace your values, beliefs, and individuality, and never let anyone’s opinion diminish your self-worth.

Remember, the only person who holds power over your feelings is YOU. You control your thoughts and emotions, and it’s within your power to decide how much influence others’ opinions have over you. Don’t hand that power to someone who doesn’t appreciate you or allow them to make you feel inferior.

If someone doesn’t value you, don’t dwell on it. They have no significance in your life. Their opinions are merely reflections of their own perspectives and may have nothing to do with you. They are not the arbiters of your worth.

Instead, invest your energy in those who genuinely care about you. Surround yourself with people who see your value, support your dreams, and love you for who you are. These connections will nourish your soul and help you grow rather than drain your energy on those who don’t matter.

Being true to yourself is not about defying others or seeking conflict but honoring your inner wisdom and integrity. It’s about recognizing that your worth is inherent and not subject to the whims of others. Embrace your unique path, and live with the confidence that you are pursuing what’s right for you. After all, at the end of the day, it’s your life, and you’re the one who must live it.

Final Thoughts To Live More Authentic

If you want to live a more authentic life, the first place to start is by being yourself. It sounds simple, but this can be quite challenging. As explored in this blog post, it’s easy to fall into old habits and behaviors that don’t reflect who we are. But by taking the time to notice these things and then work on changing them one at a time — whether that means learning how not to get so angry when someone cuts you off on the road or expressing your feelings instead of bottling them up — you can slowly build better relationships with others around you who care about your happiness as much as they do theirs!

Thank you for joining me on this Sunday Reset journey. Remember, you can shape your Sundays and, in turn, shape your life. Embrace the possibilities, prioritize self-care, and nurture your mind, body, and soul.

Before we part ways, I invite you to connect with me on Threads, Instagram or Twitter. Let's continue our pursuit of wellness, growth, and living our best lives.

With health and happiness,

Valerie

…and the Wellness Bum team!

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