Living Your Truth
In our world, expectations are everywhere. Different things are expected of us by our family and our friends, our jobs, our partners, and even society at large. Social media doesn’t make it any better! Everyone can be everywhere all at once it seems, and it can feel easier to put on a mask than to truly Live Your Truth.
But what does Living Your Truth mean anyway, and why is it SO dang powerful?
Let’s explore what it means to embrace authenticity, the impact doing so has on your life, and ways you can get to peeling back the layers of the onion that is YOU, to uncover, well… The Real You.
What Does It Really Mean to “Live Your Truth”?
Because it sounds a little hokey, doesn’t it? Just a little.
But it means well. Because at the core of this phrase is a real nugget of life advice: be yourself.
Or as Polonius puts it in Hamlet, “to thine own self be true,” which simply put means to be honest and true to one's own nature. This line is often used time and time again to encourage people to stay true to themselves regardless of external pressures, which is the true key here, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
All of this sounds so simple out of context, and yet I think so many of us struggle with it. Hands up! It’s me, HI. Is it you, too?
Living Your Truth, down deep, is about aligning your actions with your beliefs, and values.
It’s walking the talk!
It means embracing who you are at your very core - your essence! - without the pressure to conform to external expectations or to be someone you’re not. It is being YOU, shorn of the pressure to put on a mask.
Living authentically doesn’t require perfection; instead, it demands honesty, courage, and a willingness to show up as yourself.
To live with integrity means doing what’s right for you, even when it’s hard, and even if others disagree.
Living Your Truth is about honoring your values and consistently reflecting those values in your choices.
It sounds so easy, but I know that it’s not.
We’re hardwired for safety, and for many of us, there is safety in fitting in.
I’ll quote Brené Brown here when she says, "Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted,” (and) "Belonging [on the other hand] doesn't require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are,” (and finally) "The greatest barrier to true belonging is fitting in or changing who we are so we can be accepted.”
There you have it.
But you know I like to dive a little deeper so let’s take a look at a few things here, like…
Why Living Authentically is Good for You
Mental Clarity and Confidence
When you Live Your Truth, you remove the mental burden of maintaining facades. It’s that basic. You are giving yourself permission to be yourself, which fosters self-confidence and clarity.Deeper Connections
Authenticity invites deeper, more genuine relationships. Authenticity paves the way to belonging. It’s how you find your people! When you’re honest about who you are, you attract people who appreciate and love the real you.Improved Mental and Physical Health
Pretending to be someone you’re not can increase stress, anxiety, and even lead to burnout. Authentic living reduces the need to “perform” and helps you find peace of mind.
How Living Inauthenticity Can Hinder Your Life
Chronic Stress
Wearing a mask to fit in or please others leads to internal tension - it's self-betrayal. The gap between your inner self and the persona you present grows wider, creating physical discomfort that can eventually manifest as dis-ease (disease).Shallow Relationships
Pretending to be someone you’re not attracts relationships that may not truly resonate with your core values, leading to feelings of loneliness, or feeling misunderstood.Stagnation (Feeling STUCK)
When you live someone else’s version of your life, whether it be your parents, or your church, or your partner’s idea of who you should be, you risk delaying or completely missing the growth and fulfillment that comes from living authentically, and pursuing things that genuinely light you up!
Steps You Can Take to Pull Off the Masks
Identify the Masks
Take a moment to reflect: In what areas of your life are you not being authentic? Are there personas or roles you feel forced to maintain? Think about who you are, or who you show up as around each of the different people in your life - whether you see them everyday or once in a while. It all matters!Reconnect with Your Core Values
What matters most to you? What do you stand for? Journal or meditate on these questions to uncover the values that define your truth. Understanding what we truly VALUE, gives us a strong playbook for authenticity.Embrace Vulnerability
Authenticity often requires courage. It can be difficult to stand in your Truth when your Truth goes against the majority or societal norms. Sharing your true thoughts and feelings with others, even when it feels uncomfortable is great practice with vulnerability. Start small, start with your close people. And do not fear! As Dr. Seuss so beautifully put it, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”Set Boundaries
Living authentically means saying “no” to what doesn’t align with your Truth. Establish clear boundaries that honor your well-being. A great example I can give you from my own life is my sober journey. I don’t drink. I don’t want to drink. I don’t accept drinks to look cool, or keep up any kind of appearance. Drinking alcohol does not align with my values anymore. Sometimes that gets the people around me defending themselves as to why they drink! I’ve even heard people say things like, “oh, yeah, I get that, I don’t really drink that much.” What’s funny is that I don’t care if you drink. I only care that I don’t drink. I stand in that Truth no matter what kind of party I’m attending. And if that reflects discomfort back to the drinkers in the crowd… Let them be uncomfortable. Let me stay sober. (That said, I highly recommend Mel Robbin’s new book The Let Them Theory, if you need help in the area of keeping your own peace, and setting boundaries).Seek Support
Connect with others who encourage authenticity, whether it’s a supportive friend, mentor, or community. Having people in your corner makes living authentically feel less daunting. If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you! The Full Circle Wellness community is certainly here for you - Join us!
All I’m saying it… Living Your Truth is not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
By shedding the masks and aligning your life with your values, you step into a life of purpose, fulfillment, and deep connection.
Take the time to reflect on who you are and give yourself permission to live fully and authentically as that person.
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are” - Joseph Campbell
Be well,
L
