Embrace your authentic self

Instructions

Accept your true self.
Authenticity starts with acceptance. If you have an idea in your head of the person you want to be, that is not authentic because you are creating an idealized version of yourself. Instead, you have to accept that you are the way you are and be totally fine with it. Approaching your life with this mentality is the first step toward authenticity.
Notice when you are not being authentic.
When we suppress feelings, our body and mind respond. You may feel anxious, depressed, fatigued, or irritated. For example, people often feel anxious in social situations because they are not saying or doing what they want to, for fear of embarrassment or acceptance. This suppression leads to a feeling of anxiety. You may notice physical feelings like tension or queasiness too. Be aware of these feelings in your day-to-day life.
Question what is being suppressed.
When you notice these symptoms, question what is being suppressed: Are you pushing a painful memory down? Has somebody upset you, but you don’t want to say anything? Are you affected by grief?
Learn to correct yourself.
Once you can recognize situations where you are not authentic, you can learn to correct yourself. Express your feelings when you are upset. Instead of pushing a painful memory away, open yourself up to it and face it. The more you practice, the easier this becomes.