Authenticity: about self-actualisation and freedom! Authenticity means living in harmony with your very own feelings, values and needs.
Authenticity means living a life in harmony with one’s own values, beliefs and needs and is a central component of psychological well-being. When people accept themselves, live authentically and are allowed to show themselves and be themselves as they feel at the moment, they experience a sense of inner satisfaction. They remain true to themselves and do not try to disguise themselves for the sake of exaggerated politeness or conformity for others. However, when this authenticity is lacking and people live in a way that does not reflect their true feelings or values, profound psychological effects can manifest.
A common effect of ‘inauthentic living’ is a feeling of inner turmoil or imbalance. People who suppress their true feelings and desires in order to meet the expectations of others or fulfil societal norms experience a persistent inner conflict. This conflict can lead to increased stress, anxiety and a lasting feeling of dissatisfaction, as the behaviour does not match one’s own identity and has to withstand a chronic stress test.
In addition, the lack of authenticity can lead to reduced self-esteem. People who are not authentic tend to question themselves and feel inferior because they feel they are not good enough as they really are. They develop the feeling that they are only valuable if they fulfil the expectations of others, which leads to a constant search for external validation.
In the long term, a life without authenticity can lead to depression and social anxiety. Constantly conforming to other people’s expectations leads to isolation, as contact with other people is perceived as very stressful and exhausting. The feeling of not really being understood can cause great loneliness. In extreme cases, non-authentic living can also lead to a loss of identity, as the person focuses more on the mask they wear every day in society than on their true self; many of these people come to psychological therapy and initially cannot even name the basic problem, as they have already moved too far away from the core of themselves.
Authenticity: about self-actualisation and freedom! How often are you asked about your well-being and you pretend to be “fine”, even though you don’t feel it? How many people in your life get to see how you really feel deep down? If you show up in full authenticity, who will stay by your side and who will leave? How heavy is that “mask” you’re carrying? What would it feel like to live in a world where we can take off our masks all together?
Let’s talk about it in a free initial session!
#wellbeing #authenticity #mask
