How to Be an Authentic Person: Importance of Authenticity

Authenticity refers to the quality of being true to yourself and your beliefs. Being authentic means acting in alignment with your inner values and character, rather than allowing your adaptive self—the behavioral drive to fit in with other human beings like friends, family, or co-workers—to dictate everything you do. Authentic people won’t try to be like anyone else or hold back their honest opinions. Instead of engaging in people-pleasing behaviors, an authentic person’s actions, thoughts, and intentions align with who they are.

Being authentic is important because it contributes to your holistic well-being, encouraging happiness, fulfillment, and high self-esteem. When your actions align with your true nature, you’re more likely to pursue your passions, believe in yourself, and feel confident in your opinions. Conversely, inauthenticity can negatively impact your mental health, leading to a displaced sense of purpose.

Being your authentic self also means being honest with those around you, which allows you to build deep and meaningful relationships. Learn how to stay true to yourself.

Anyone can live an authentic life, but it may take hard work. Follow these tips to become a more genuine person:

• Be honest. Maintain an open mind toward other people’s opinions and try to feel comfortable expressing your point of view in return. Being vulnerable will help you feel that you are living your truth, attracting other genuine people into your life.
• Listen to your intuition. Listen to what your inner voice says as often as possible. Allow your core values and true nature to guide your decisions, rather than responding out of habit or what you think will please others.
• Develop self-awareness. Take time to think about why you react to situations in the ways you do. Consider how your upbringing, home, or work environment influences your behaviors. Evaluate how your adaptive self—the part of you that adjusts your behavior in social situations—is in line or out of line with your authentic self. Being self-aware in this way helps you to make authentic choices. Learn more about self-awareness.
• Practice self-reflection. Think of times when you felt like your best self. What were you doing? Who were you with? Taking note of these things—by journaling, thinking, or talking it out—will allow you to seek more authentic experiences.
• Work on your self-esteem. Authenticity makes you less likely to seek external validation because you have the confidence to feel secure in your identity and actions. (Learn how to build confidence.) However, it’s essential to nurture this confidence through practicing self-care activities like positive self-talk. Also, try letting go of negative feelings when others criticize you. Focus instead on making yourself a better person.

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