Living Authentically: A Struggle Worth Fighting For
In today’s social and political climate, there is a relentless push to put people back into boxes, boxes that feel safe, predictable, and easy to categorize. We crave order. We want to believe that we understand the world, that everything fits neatly where it belongs.
But what happens when someone **maybe you** doesn’t fit?
What happens when who you are defies easy labels?
Why Authenticity Feels Like a Battle
Society rewards those who conform. When we follow the script, we are met with approval, validation, and a false sense of belonging. But at what cost?
When we contort ourselves to fit into someone else’s vision of what we “should” be, we pay in confidence, energy, and inner peace.
We become exhausted by the constant masking.
We feel disconnected from our true selves.
We experience internal conflict, a feeling that something just isn’t quite right.
This discomfort isn’t imagined. It’s your soul fighting against being caged.
So how do we live authentically while still being able to navigate this world?
Step 1: Define What Authenticity Means to You
Authenticity isn’t about rebellion for the sake of rebellion. It’s about honoring who you truly are without fear or apology. But to do that, you need to define what authenticity means to YOU.
🌿 Reflection Exercise: "Who Am I Without the Shoulds?"
Find a quiet moment, grab a journal, and write freely for 5-10 minutes on this question:
If no one told me what I "should" be, who would I become?
If I didn’t fear judgment, how would I express myself?
What parts of myself feel the most alive when I embrace them?
Don’t overthink.
Let the answers flow.
Your authenticity already exists within you, you just have to uncover it.
Step 2: Start Small—Reclaiming Yourself Bit by Bit
You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Authenticity is built through small, consistent acts of self-expression.
🎭 Think of it as removing a mask, one layer at a time.
🌕 Practical Steps to Embody Your True Self
Wear something that makes you feel empowered. Maybe it’s a ring with deep meaning, a shirt that makes you feel bold, or even a fragrance that connects you to your inner self.
Engage in creativity without censorship. Sketch, dance, write, play music, even if no one sees it. Create for YOU.
Speak your truth in small ways. Try sharing your real thoughts in conversations instead of defaulting to what’s expected. See how it feels.
Unfollow what drains you. Social media can be a breeding ground for comparison. Curate your space to include voices that inspire authenticity.
Make space for joy. Sing in the car. Laugh loudly. Move your body in ways that feel good. Reclaim your right to take up space.
Step 3: Track Your Authentic Moments
Authenticity is a practice, not a destination. The more you engage with your true self, the more natural it becomes.
🌙 Tracking Exercise: "Authenticity in Action"
For the next 7 days, keep a journal of your authentic moments, the small ways you expressed yourself, spoke your truth, or stepped outside of expectations.
Each day, write:
What did I do today that felt truly “me”?
How did it make me feel?
What resistance (if any) came up?
How can I expand this tomorrow?
This isn’t about forcing authenticity; it’s about welcoming it back into your daily life.
Step 4: Expand & Habit Stack
Once one act of authenticity feels natural, add another. This is called habit stacking, layering new behaviors onto ones that already exist.
If you started wearing a meaningful piece of jewelry, next, try speaking your truth in conversations.
If you’re singing in the car, next, try dancing to a song at home.
If you’re creating art privately, next, try sharing a piece with someone you trust.
Before you know it, you’ll be living as your authentic self, not just in moments, but always.
The Struggle Is Worth It
The world will always try to put people back into neat little boxes. But you weren’t meant to fit, you were meant to be free.
