Staying True to Yourself: A Journey to Authenticity
Introduction
Happy New Year! I wanted to start this year off by talking about a topic that is near and dear to my heart- authenticity.
In our current world with social media, it’s easy to get caught up in other people’s lives. We’re constantly bombarded with images of others, displaying their seemingly perfect lives, where it looks like they have it all together. But here’s a secret- that is the furthest thing from the truth.
With social media, it’s easy to display all of the parts of our lives that seem to have that perfect touch. I mean think about it, do you ever really see people post about the struggles or hardships that they face? If they do it is very rare. I think it’s important to remind ourselves that what we see on social media- and I cannot express this enough- is not genuine. Sure, there are aspects of our lives that we put on display that we have most certainly gone through and experienced. But for the most part, it is a fabricated or upplayed version of our life. Think about yourself. Do you often portray a certain persona on social media that may not be truly authentic to those who truly know you?
What I’m trying to say is that it is easy to get up in other people’s lives with the perfect social status and perfect vacations across the world. But what they don’t show is the struggles they're facing, and often the troubling things that they are going through. I want this post to be a reminder that although it looks like everyone has it figured out, no one truly does. I could sit here and talk about how amazing my life is and that I have everything I want. But that just wouldn’t be authentic. I’m a person, I go through struggles, I have times in my life where I never think I’m going to get back up and make it out alive. But that’s part of being human.
I want this post to be a reminder that it is so incredibly important to be authentic and true to yourself. You may not have to put this on display and put it on blast for everyone to see. But at the end of the day, all we have is ourselves and our journey. Be true to yourself, and the rest will play out in your favor.
What is Authenticity?
The textbook definition of authenticity is the importance of aligning your actions with your personal values and desires, despite the external pressures to conform (Lehman et al., 2018). This involves an extensive amount of self-awareness, introspection, and a desire to express your true self. To be authentic is to be genuine and true to who you really are, leading us to live a more fulfilled and meaningful life.
To me, being authentic means not being afraid to be who you really are. It means sticking to your own path, without the influence of others deciding what you should and shouldn’t do. Now, I know this is a lot easier said than done. As people, we face challenges in maintaining this authenticity, especially in environments that suppress our individuality and promote conforming to others’ values and perspectives.
Social Media’s Impact
If you often find yourself scrolling through social media (like me), you’ll come to notice that your own personal perspective is morphed and changed the more that you scroll. The ideas and beliefs that you once had are now mixed with a variety of other people’s beliefs and desires. I’ve found this very prevalent in my life throughout the years, considering I grew up where social media was first introduced, particularly through Instagram.
Like everyone else, I immediately downloaded an account and got to posting. Originally, I posted what I enjoyed, ranging from innocent selfies to pictures of my cat, to the food I was eating. However, this changed over time as social media grew to be more of a conformed space where everyone was posting the same exact thing. Instead of being original and posting the funny side of myself, I was now posting photos trying to show off all the qualities about myself that I was convincing myself that I liked. It switched from being a form of self-expression to a form of bragging about who I was and what I was doing. I was no longer original. I was just a copied and pasted version of everyone else I went to school with, and everyone else I saw on Instagram.
At first, it started as being influenced online, but over time it switched to now being influenced in person as well. I was no longer comfortable being the funny, and innocent kid I once was. I was insecure and often tried to make up for the confidence I lacked through social media. There was a time in my life when I wasn’t doing anything original. I copied everything and anything that people around me were doing. As I’ve grown older, I now understand the importance of being true to myself and sticking to my values. But I still have my moments, as we all do.
The Value of Originality
Individuality is the cornerstone of authenticity and creativity. There’s something magical about carving out your own path, expressing your own ideas, and being unapologetically yourself. When you embrace your unique perspective, you not only honor your own journey but also contribute something real and meaningful to the world.
But let’s talk about the flip side—copying others. When you mimic someone else’s life, choices, or ideas, you’re not just borrowing their story; you’re actively dimming your own light. It’s easy to look at someone who seems to have it all together and think, If I just do what they’re doing, I’ll find the same success or happiness. But here’s the thing: copying doesn’t lead to fulfillment. It only takes you further away from discovering who you truly are.
Ask yourself this: Are you living someone else’s story instead of your own? Are the choices you’re making rooted in your own passions, dreams, and values, or are they just a reflection of someone else’s journey? Copying might feel like a shortcut, but in reality, it’s a detour that keeps you from uncovering your own potential.
There’s nothing wrong with drawing inspiration from others—after all, we all do it. But inspiration should be a spark, not a template. Use it as a starting point to ignite your own creativity, not as a script to follow word for word. Your life is meant to be lived as your own masterpiece, not as a replica of someone else’s work.
Originality requires courage, but it’s worth it. When you step into your own identity, you give yourself the chance to grow, to learn, and to shine in ways that are uniquely yours. So, take a step back and think about how you can honor your individuality. Start building a life that reflects your true self, because no one else can do it the way you can.
Finding Your Own Path
Finding your own path is one of the most rewarding- yet challenging journey’s you’ll ever face. In a world full of influence and expectations, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters to you and what is important in your journey. Self-discovery is all about tuning out these influences and uncovering your passions, desires, and purpose. When you connect with people who resonate with you and your calling in life, you are finally able to create a life that feels authentic and meaningful. Not one that is designed to meet everybody else’s expectations.
Why Self-Discovery Matters
Your path is yours to face alone. No one else can walk this path or create it for you. If you’re constantly on this jounrey to chase other people’s wants and desires and conform to everyone else’s expectations, you will always lose yourself in the process. Self-discovery helps you:
Find what drives you and motivates you in life.
Figure out what brings you joy and fulfillment.
Build a foundation for what you want and the choices you make that align with your values and desires.
When you know the path that you want to take, life not only feels more intentional, but it also feels more meaningful. Instead of aimlessly following other people’s choices and needs, you’re creating your own unique path.
Tips for Exploring Your Values, Passions, and Goals
Reflect on What Matters Most
Think about the moments that have brought you the greatest sense of happiness or purpose. What do those experiences have in common?
Identify the values you want to live by—whether it’s honesty, creativity, kindness, or independence.
Pursue Activities That Excite You
Explore hobbies or interests that intrigue you, even if they’re outside your comfort zone.
Try new things without fear of failure—it’s all part of the learning process.
Set Personal Goals
Start small by setting achievable goals that align with your passions.
Over time, these small wins will lead to greater clarity about what you truly want.
Mindfulness and Journaling for Introspection
Self-discovery often starts with quieting the external chaos and listening to your inner voice. Here are some ways to do that:
Journaling
Writing can be a powerful tool for reflection. Try prompts like:What are my core values?
What makes me feel alive?
If I could do anything without fear of judgment or failure, what would it be?
Mindfulness Practices
Mindfulness helps you stay present and tune into your thoughts and feelings.Spend 5–10 minutes each day focusing on your breath or meditating.
Reflect on your emotions without judgment, asking yourself, What is this feeling teaching me?
Check out my previous blog posts to find more inspiring journal prompts, as well as ways to keep yourself grounded and mindful.
Finding Meaning Within Yourself
The true meanings of our lives are not something that we can find externally. It is something that we have to find in ourselves. Finding meaning is all about embracing our self-worth and nurturing our inner peace. Once you’ve done that, you have started to build the foundation for a fulfilling life. By finding and following through with this fulfilling path, you’re able to navigate all of the challenges that life brings your way. Not only are you able to do this on your own- but you’re able to create resilience and appreciate the beauty that is within your own journey.
The Significance of Self-Worth and Inner Peace
Self-worth is all about recognizing your value, regardless of external opinions and achievements. It’s about knowing that you are enough just as you are, without having to prove it to anyone else around you. Once you embrace this self-worth, you start to view life through a lens of possibility and inspiration- rather than fear and inadequacy.
Finding this inner peace within yourself is all about letting go of this need for validation from those around you. It’s a state of being- where you feel confident in your own skin. When you find this inner peace, you’re less likely to compare yourself to others and are less likely to conform your life to external opinions. By combining self-worth and inner peace, you'll finally be able to find that deeper meaning and purpose in life that you have been looking for.
Ways to Build Confidence and Cultivate Meaning
Practice Gratitude
Practicing gratitude helps shift your focus from what you lack to what you already have. Appreciating everything in your life- from the big things to the small things- will help create this sense of fulfillment and happiness. Here are a few ways that you can practice that!Keep a gratitude journal: Write down three things you’re grateful for each day.
Reflect on the people, experiences, or qualities in yourself that bring you joy.
Set Personal Goals
By setting goals, you’re able to guide your life with a sense of direction and purpose. When you start small, you’ll be able to find what challenges you and genuinely excites you. You can do this by:Identifying short-term and long-term goals that align with your values.
Breaking your goals into actionable steps and celebrate each milestone.
Remembering that progress is more important than perfection—every step forward matters.
Engage in Self-Reflection
It’s extremely important to spend time understanding what truly matters to you. What brings you joy? What makes you feel alive?Try journaling with prompts like: What makes me feel fulfilled? What are my unique strengths?
Consider moments when you’ve felt most at peace or in tune with yourself—what can you learn from those experiences?
Nurture Your Passions
Doing things that you love or that spark curiosity can help you feel connected to yourself and your purpose.Explore hobbies, interests, or activities that bring you happiness.
Don’t be afraid to try new things—every experience helps shape your path.
Surround Yourself with Positivity
The people and environments you spend time in significantly influence your self-worth and peace of mind.Seek out relationships that uplift and support you.
Limit time spent in spaces or with people that drain your energy or make you feel inadequate.
Embracing the Journey
Staying true to yourself is one of the most profound gifts you can give to both yourself and the world. In a society that often encourages comparison and conformity, choosing to embrace your authentic self is an act of courage. Your flaws, strengths, and quirks make you who you are, and there’s no one else who can offer what you bring to the table.
Finding your path isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a process of exploration, trial, and growth. Be patient with yourself. Trust that every step—whether it feels like progress or a setback—is guiding you toward a deeper understanding of who you are. Remember, every part of your journey is valuable, even the messy and uncertain moments.
But let’s get real for a moment: if you’re reading this and you find yourself copying or conforming to someone else’s journey, this is your sign to stop. Stop obsessing over their social media. Stop trying to mold yourself into their life. Stop dimming your own light just to follow their path. This life is yours, not theirs. You have your own journey to live, and no one else can live it for you.
By committing to self-discovery and authenticity, you empower yourself to create a life that feels true to who you are. It’s not about perfection; it’s about alignment—about living in a way that reflects your values, dreams, and unique spirit.
As you move forward, carry this reminder with you:
"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." – Oscar Wilde
Your journey is waiting, and it’s one only you can take. Trust yourself, embrace your truth, and watch as your life unfolds in ways you never imagined.
References
Lehman, D. W., O’Connor, K., Kovacs, B., & Newman, G. (2018). Authenticity. Academy of Management Annals, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.5465/annals.2017.0047
