Authenticity
Authentic Self
Authenticity has always been a bit of a catch twenty-two to me. On the one hand, there are so many ways to be genuine and to express your authenticity. On the other hand, there is only one authentic you and people seem to be able to tell pretty quick whether or not you’re letting that side of you show. Yet despite it’s complicated and at times confusing nature, authenticity seems to hold more value in today’s society than ever before. What I wonder then is how do we find our authentic selves?
Vulnerability and Authenticity
With all my guests on the podcast so far, this theme of authenticity has emerged in one shape or form. The unifying factor I’ve found between these different conversations is the connection between authenticity and vulnerability. There is inherent risk in putting our authentic selves out there! Whether it’s to another person or to the internet, it makes us feel vulnerable. We wonder, If this is my true self that I’m presenting, what if people don’t like it? What if I offend them? What if I’m a disappointment? What if they think I’m lying?… the list of self-doubting questions goes on and on. We all prioritize being authentic and pride ourselves in gauging whether or not someone else is, but at least to me, the path to our “authentic selves” can be pretty elusive.
Courage of Vulnerability
What I’ve realized is that by being vulnerable, we are inherently being authentic. I may not know what it feels like to be “the authentic me” because I experience all the different sides of myself. The angry me feels authentic at times just as much as the joyful me can feel equally authentic at a different time. But I definitely know what it feels like to be vulnerable. If we chase that feeling of vulnerability and muster up the courage to present that aspect of ourselves to the world, maybe that is what it means to express your authenticity.
