avatarMary Beth Hazeldine

Summary

The article provides guidance on discovering one's authentic self through self-awareness, self-acceptance, and positive self-talk.

Abstract

The article "5 Ways to Find Your True Self and Become More Authentic" addresses individuals who feel lost or inauthentic in their lives. It emphasizes the importance of uncovering the "true you" that resides within, beyond the layers of self-doubt and societal expectations. The author suggests getting to know oneself by exploring personal interests, values, and beliefs, and encourages engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment. The piece also advises on replacing negative self-talk with affirmations of self-worth and avoiding detrimental thought patterns that lead to feelings of inadequacy and disconnection. The journey to self-discovery is portrayed as a process of self-compassion and trust, with the reminder that everyone is deserving of love and respect.

Opinions

  • The author believes that everyone has a genuine, confident, and peaceful self, termed the "true you," which can be uncovered by peeling away layers of negative thinking and external influences.
  • Self-knowledge is key to authenticity; the author encourages readers to conduct a personal inventory to understand their likes, dislikes, beliefs, and values.
  • Engaging in activities that one loves is not just enjoyable but essential for living authentically.
  • Positive self-talk is crucial for maintaining a healthy self-image and should replace any negative internal dialogue.
  • The article lists common negative thought patterns such as catastrophizing, comparison, labeling, blaming, mind reading, storytelling, self-pity, self-judgment, guilt, self-blame, forgetting, perfectionism, anxiety, and stressing, suggesting that these should be recognized and dismissed to foster a sense of authenticity.
  • The author advocates for patience and self-compassion during the journey of self-discovery, emphasizing that it is a process that requires kindness to oneself.

5 Ways to Find Your True Self and Become More Authentic

Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash

Do you ever feel like you’re not who you think you are? Do you sometimes wonder if you’re a fraud? Do you have a hard time knowing who you are and what you want? Have you ever felt like you’re living in a world where everyone else seems to have it all together while you’re stuck figuring it all out? Do you ever feel like there’s something you’re missing? Do you ever feel like there’s something you should be doing with your life? Does it feel like your life has no meaning or purpose? Do you ever feel stuck or like there’s no way out? Do you ever feel like you’re missing out on something?

If the answer is “Yes,” you’re in the right place!

Here are 5 tips that will help you get in touch with your true self:

1. Find the “true you” living inside of you.

If you have ever felt like you’re living in someone else’s skin, like you’re wearing a mask that’s not yours, you might be looking for the true you. Once you find the true you, you’ll be able to live a happier, more fulfilled life.

The true you is the person you were meant to be. It’s the person who knows what they want and goes after it. The true you is confident, happy, and at peace with who they are. The true you is someone who loves themselves and others. The true you is someone who lives their life with purpose and meaning. The true you is authentic and genuine.

The good news is that there is a “true you” living inside of you. I often refer to it as your diamond. It is just covered with layers and layers of crap from all the years of your crazy thinking, limiting beliefs, and from trying to satisfy your ego. You just need to see through those layers of crap and find that diamond inside of you.

You can also find your true self by listening to your heart. Your heart knows what you truly want. It’s essential to listen to your heart and follow its guidance. Trust yourself and believe in yourself. You know what’s best for you.

The easiest way to listen to your heart is to get quiet and go inside. Slow down that busy mind of yours, sit still, breathe into your heart and conjure up a feeling of gratitude.

2. Get to know yourself.

You can find your true self by taking the time to get to know yourself. You can do this by exploring your interests, values, and beliefs.

Do a personal inventory and ask yourself questions like:

What do I enjoy doing?

What makes me feel good?

What do I believe in?

What is important to me?

What do I stand for?

What do I value?

As you answer these types of questions, you’ll begin to better understand who you are and what you want out of life.

3. Do more of the things you love.

The things you love are the things that make you feel alive. They’re the things that make you feel like you can conquer the world. They’re the things that make your heart sing. These are the things you should be doing more of!

I hear you say that you have a job or don’t have time to do the things you love. I’m here to tell you that if you’re not doing the things you love in some capacity, then you’re not living. You might be existing, but you’re not truly living.

And that’s why it’s so important to find a way to incorporate the things you love into your life. Find a way to do more of what makes you happy. Find a way to do more of what brings you joy. You’ll start living a more authentic and fulfilling life when you do this.

4. Aim for self-talk that will make you feel more authentic.

Another thing you can do is get rid of any negative self-talk. It’s time to stop telling yourself that you’re not good enough, smart enough, or beautiful enough. You’re right, you’re enough, and you’re beautiful. And guess what? You deserve to feel that way too.

So, the next time you catch yourself saying something you don’t even believe, stop and think about it. Ask yourself if what you’re saying is serving you or sabotaging you somehow. If it’s not serving you, then get rid of it. If it is serving you, find a way to bring more positive self-talk into your life.

You can’t stop those sabotaging thoughts from coming into your mind, but you don’t need to give them any power over you. Let them go. Just dismiss them.

5. Avoid the most common thought patterns that break you down and make you feel disconnected from who you are.

  • Catastrophizing: Giving yourself a negative label and immediately assuming that you’ll never be okay again. (“Oh no. I’m such a failure.”)
  • Comparison: Thinking about and comparing your life to other people’s. (“I wish my life was more exciting.”)
  • Labeling: Giving yourself a negative label and immediately assuming that you’ll never be okay again. (“I’m fat.”)
  • Blaming: Pointing the finger at other people or situations for your feelings and behaviors. (“That ex of hers broke my heart.”)
  • Mind Reading: Assuming that what someone else is thinking or feeling has anything to do with you. (“He’s mad at me. He must hate me.”)
  • Story Telling: Letting your mind run away with you, putting yourself down, and getting caught up in “what if” stories about the future. (“What if I’m never going to be able to lose weight?”)
  • Self-Pity: Feeling sorry for yourself and letting that feeling control your mood and behavior. (“Why does everything always happen to me?”)
  • Self-Judgment: Judging yourself harshly and harshly beating yourself up if you break the rules. (“I hate how I eat. I’m so bad at following rules.”)
  • Guilt: Feeling bad and then beating yourself up for it. (“I’m so bad. I should feel good right now.”)
  • Self-Blame: Blaming yourself for what you feel and what you think. (“I’m a terrible person. I’m not supposed to feel this way.”)
  • Forgetting: Not remembering your strengths and abilities. (“I forget to do the things I love to do.”)
  • Perfectionism: Setting impossible expectations for yourself, making yourself feel bad if you don’t reach those expectations, and beating yourself up when you don’t live up to them. (“I’m not good enough. I should try more.”)
  • Anxiety: Feeling nervous and apprehensive before an event. (“I’m so scared. What if no one cares about me?”)
  • Stressing: Stressing yourself out so much that you’re irritable, short-tempered, and sometimes even violent. (“Why is everyone so uptight?”)

Conclusion

Finding your true self is a journey of self-exploration and self-discovery. The best thing you can do is be kind to yourself while you’re on this journey. It’s important to remember that you are doing the best you can with what you have at that moment. You are worthy of love and respect, no matter what. Be patient with yourself and trust that you will find your way.

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Self Discovery
Self Improvement
Authenticity
Inspiration
Personal Growth
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