Become Your Authentic Self
Working with a counselor can be a great gateway to becoming your authentic self.
Counseling gives people a space where they can be vulnerable without judgment. A space that allows people to share their deepest insecurities and fears without fear that they will be belittled.
Becoming your authentic self is a journey with many stops. During each stop, you pause for a moment to grow into the version that makes you feel whole and empowered.
Growing into your authentic version while working with a counselor can give you the tools needed to develop boundaries and self-acceptance. Boundaries are the pillars that you hold in life to maintain healthy relationships with others and with yourself. Self-acceptance incorporates a true sense of feeling proud of who you are and connected to the values that make sense to you.
4 Ways to Become Your Authentic Self:
1. Identify your interests.
Take time to immerse yourself in everything around you. Find out the foods you like. The colors that make you smile. The movies that make you laugh. The more you learn the better. Over time, you’ll be able to pinpoint your interest. Once you reach this level, you’ll feel a sense of satisfaction because you are able to enjoy the things you like (the things that make you, YOU).
2. Take time to practice self-awareness.
This is a process in which you are able to understand why you do what you do. You are able to recognize the purpose of your actions. Often when a person struggles with being their authentic self, it’s connected to that person living a life that is disconnected from their purpose. As a simple strategy, write down why you do what you do. Then circle how many of those items connect to what gives you purpose. The goal is to feel a strong connection. A sense of true self-awareness.
3. Validate your feelings.
I want you to think about what validation means to you. The practice of validation is found when you experience a thought or feeling and hold space for it versus disregarding it. If you are experiencing hurt or sadness, you can hold space for the feeling and honor it.
4. Practice affirmations.
Affirmations are words that you use to create healing, growth, or any specific feeling you are looking for. You can start the day with an affirmation. Such as, today I will hold space for my feelings. Or, I honor myself and will uphold my boundaries. You can use affirmations to develop and nurture the area of authenticity. For instance, if I feel authentic when I get to share my thoughts and feelings. I can do my best to use affirmations that empower this.
How To Be Your Authentic Self:
When you think about being authentic, what comes to mind?
Becoming your authentic self is not a sprint. It is a process that requires consistency, patience, and commitment. Working with a counselor can provide you with guidance in the key areas:
- Practicing gratitude.
- Practicing self-compassion.
- Setting boundaries.
- Identifying values.
- Developing self-reflection.
- Creating a healthy support system.
- Being genuine.
- Feeling personal freedom.
- Not worrying about judgment.
