When you are living authentically, it means you are true to yourself and others, doesn’t it? That means being ready and willing to expose yourself to them blatantly, thoughts, feelings, emotions and all! Whatever comes and goes without giving it any more control over you. That’s where the pain comes because you can be easily misunderstood. There is so much room for miscommunication!
And yet I have found that your authenticity wins you over every act of dissonance! Authenticity means freedom of the mind to focus on the rings that matter. It means freedom in relations, freedom in thought and action and a general feeling of fullness and light in the heart! Even if it means losing someone close to your heart! And lucky me, my authenticity brought them back!
Shalini, thank you for you thoughtful response! I also believe that authenticity and freedom are inextricably bound together. That's a huge part of the appeal of authenticity for me. I'm so grateful to hear your experience and glad for you that authenticity brought someone back to you!
Thank you for sharing this, I found it a very interesting read. When I rediscovered myself and learned to live more authentically, I felt freedom. And the pain of living inauthentically was greater than the pain of sharing myself with the world.
Susan, I appreciate your response! I feel that sense of freedom when I'm true to myself, even if there is some pain in being authentic. So grateful to hear from you!✨
I am all in with authenticity but the society I live in is against it and even pro being fake. I feel I might eventually be one of them for the sake of surviving
Ester, thank you for making note of how difficult authenticity can be in the face of the immense cultural pressures we can feel to conform. Only you can know what will allow your survival, so please trust that inner awareness. If you do think it’s possible to safely make small inner movements toward authenticity, you might try starting with acknowledging to yourself that you are choosing to be fake because the cost of authenticity would be too high. Sometimes that self-validation may be all we can do. Take good care of yourself, and remember that there is no “right” way to be authentic. 💚
I resonate with this experience so much - "there is pain in living authentically. A different kind of suffering comes from not being true to ourselves."
Thank you for sharing, Emma! It's such a common experience, but one that isn't acknowledged often enough. I appreciate that you've offered validation to everyone else who is silently wondering if they're the only one who feels this way.💚
Authenticity! I lived in pain for 40 years being more worried about fitting in. That sucked to give so much of my life to others and abandon my true self! I want this last chapter of my life to be lived as my authentic self, warts and all!
I am celebrating this growth with you, Jennifer! I definitely relate to all the subtle and explicit ways I've chosen to fit in and sacrifice my authenticity. Midlife has brought me a real spirit of rebellion against the pressures to conform and the strength to risk sharing all of me, warts and all. :) So grateful to hear from you! ✨
Lori, I've never thought of the pain associated with living authentically. However, I've experienced profound pain when others have chosen to live what they thought was their most authentic life. So I know you're right! I find such great freedom in living authentically that I can't imagine not doing so. But I try to do so gently and gracefully to avoid hurting others as much as possible.
Sandra, you’re absolutely right that there are gentle, graceful ways to be authentic, as opposed to ways that recklessly, carelessly, or intentionally hurt others. I think true authenticity makes room for others to live their own authenticity. Once in a while, we may cause others suffering in this process. However, for the most part, I think we can find ways to honor our true selves without stepping too hard on the people around us. At least that’s my goal. Thank you so much for your insights! 💚
Man Lori, hate to say but your Dad was so right! Pick your poison, so spot on when it comes to walking in your truth not everyone’s gonna like it & you know what?? That’s ok! Cos it makes our job a lot easier & vision a lot clearer. I say flap your wings big and bright & let them fall those step back in amazement, awe, admiration are your people. Feed them & forget the rest! Beautiful post Lori. Thanks. New sub.
Thank you, Erica! I am grinning ear to ear at the image of your magnet. It’s a model of authenticity—imperfect, well-worn, and beloved by the person who really gets it. Fabulous! 💚✨
So true! Sometimes it even surprises us to discover parts of our authentic self. I think that can be an exciting part of growing and getting to know ourselves better. Thank you for your kind words! ✨
I loved this so much Lori!!! People especially do not like when you have the audacity to live your own life the way you want... it triggers a lot of unmet needs in others. I've received a lot of projection around thus lately. Thanks for bringing the awareness that being ourselves is not just rainbows and butterflies.
Thanks, Andy! Yes, I wish I could promise only rainbows and butterflies! But we can learn to recognize when the reactions other people have are about us and when it’s about them. Here’s to living your truth! ✨💚
I appreciate your honesty about the pain that can come with authenticity. I think we hear, all the time, about the glory of authenticity. But it doesn't always feel great, and it takes courage to stand up for our values and beliefs, especially when it means risking rejection or disapproval. It reminds me of that quote by Brené Brown: 'Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day about to show up and be real. The choice to let our true selves be seen.'
When you are living authentically, it means you are true to yourself and others, doesn’t it? That means being ready and willing to expose yourself to them blatantly, thoughts, feelings, emotions and all! Whatever comes and goes without giving it any more control over you. That’s where the pain comes because you can be easily misunderstood. There is so much room for miscommunication!
And yet I have found that your authenticity wins you over every act of dissonance! Authenticity means freedom of the mind to focus on the rings that matter. It means freedom in relations, freedom in thought and action and a general feeling of fullness and light in the heart! Even if it means losing someone close to your heart! And lucky me, my authenticity brought them back!
Coming soon…
Shalini, thank you for you thoughtful response! I also believe that authenticity and freedom are inextricably bound together. That's a huge part of the appeal of authenticity for me. I'm so grateful to hear your experience and glad for you that authenticity brought someone back to you!
Yes it did, will soon publish it in my story! Until then, let it be a mystery! Shhh! 🤫
I love a mystery! 👏
we thrive in a crucible.
Thank you for sharing this, I found it a very interesting read. When I rediscovered myself and learned to live more authentically, I felt freedom. And the pain of living inauthentically was greater than the pain of sharing myself with the world.
Susan, I appreciate your response! I feel that sense of freedom when I'm true to myself, even if there is some pain in being authentic. So grateful to hear from you!✨
🩷
I am all in with authenticity but the society I live in is against it and even pro being fake. I feel I might eventually be one of them for the sake of surviving
Lori, thanks for the response and kind words it means a lot.
Ester, thank you for making note of how difficult authenticity can be in the face of the immense cultural pressures we can feel to conform. Only you can know what will allow your survival, so please trust that inner awareness. If you do think it’s possible to safely make small inner movements toward authenticity, you might try starting with acknowledging to yourself that you are choosing to be fake because the cost of authenticity would be too high. Sometimes that self-validation may be all we can do. Take good care of yourself, and remember that there is no “right” way to be authentic. 💚
I resonate with this experience so much - "there is pain in living authentically. A different kind of suffering comes from not being true to ourselves."
Thank you for sharing, Emma! It's such a common experience, but one that isn't acknowledged often enough. I appreciate that you've offered validation to everyone else who is silently wondering if they're the only one who feels this way.💚
Authenticity! I lived in pain for 40 years being more worried about fitting in. That sucked to give so much of my life to others and abandon my true self! I want this last chapter of my life to be lived as my authentic self, warts and all!
I am celebrating this growth with you, Jennifer! I definitely relate to all the subtle and explicit ways I've chosen to fit in and sacrifice my authenticity. Midlife has brought me a real spirit of rebellion against the pressures to conform and the strength to risk sharing all of me, warts and all. :) So grateful to hear from you! ✨
Lori, I've never thought of the pain associated with living authentically. However, I've experienced profound pain when others have chosen to live what they thought was their most authentic life. So I know you're right! I find such great freedom in living authentically that I can't imagine not doing so. But I try to do so gently and gracefully to avoid hurting others as much as possible.
Sandra, you’re absolutely right that there are gentle, graceful ways to be authentic, as opposed to ways that recklessly, carelessly, or intentionally hurt others. I think true authenticity makes room for others to live their own authenticity. Once in a while, we may cause others suffering in this process. However, for the most part, I think we can find ways to honor our true selves without stepping too hard on the people around us. At least that’s my goal. Thank you so much for your insights! 💚
Man Lori, hate to say but your Dad was so right! Pick your poison, so spot on when it comes to walking in your truth not everyone’s gonna like it & you know what?? That’s ok! Cos it makes our job a lot easier & vision a lot clearer. I say flap your wings big and bright & let them fall those step back in amazement, awe, admiration are your people. Feed them & forget the rest! Beautiful post Lori. Thanks. New sub.
“Feed them and forget the rest.” Yes! Brilliant! Thank you for sharing and for subscribing! So grateful to have you here. 💚
Great article. ✨
I have a magnet on my refrigerator that says “Be brave enough to be authentic.”
It has fallen and broken before- and is literally glued together.
I just love having it as a daily reminder.
Exactly 🌼
Thank you, Erica! I am grinning ear to ear at the image of your magnet. It’s a model of authenticity—imperfect, well-worn, and beloved by the person who really gets it. Fabulous! 💚✨
Fantastic piece
Thank you, Prajna! ✨
This is the bee knees right here!🐝❤️🏆 Authentic self isn't always the highest, most popular or what's expected self.
So true! Sometimes it even surprises us to discover parts of our authentic self. I think that can be an exciting part of growing and getting to know ourselves better. Thank you for your kind words! ✨
I loved this so much Lori!!! People especially do not like when you have the audacity to live your own life the way you want... it triggers a lot of unmet needs in others. I've received a lot of projection around thus lately. Thanks for bringing the awareness that being ourselves is not just rainbows and butterflies.
Thanks, Andy! Yes, I wish I could promise only rainbows and butterflies! But we can learn to recognize when the reactions other people have are about us and when it’s about them. Here’s to living your truth! ✨💚
I appreciate your honesty about the pain that can come with authenticity. I think we hear, all the time, about the glory of authenticity. But it doesn't always feel great, and it takes courage to stand up for our values and beliefs, especially when it means risking rejection or disapproval. It reminds me of that quote by Brené Brown: 'Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day about to show up and be real. The choice to let our true selves be seen.'
Thanks for sharing Brené's wise words! Authenticity is constantly being constructed, and no construction is without its pains and challenges.