Know who you are?

You can’t be yourself until you know who you are.

A lot of people wear masks so often that

it becomes hard for them to distinguish between their true selves and who they pretend to be

Because;
→ they want to fit in
→ they want to protect themselves from rejection and hurt
→ they’re not confident people will like who they actually are.

In a world where many are celebrated for being something other than themselves,

I believe being yourself is key to personal fulfillment and growth

even if it means facing criticism for not conforming to societal expectations.

Here are 5 ways you can live authentically and fearlessly;

1. Increase your self-awareness
Reflect on who you are, who you want to become and what you don’t want to be, to align your actions with your true self.

2. Recognise the mask you wear
Identifying the personas you adopt allows you to shed them.

3. Embrace vulnerability
Be open about your insecurities and imperfections to build genuine connections and for personal growth.

4. Don’t filter, just be
Authenticity comes from expressing yourself genuinely without censoring or conforming to others’ expectations. Trust your instincts, embrace improvisation, explore the unfiltered version of yourself.

5. Accept feedback as a gift
You attract what you are. Those around you are mirrors that reflect your blindspots so listen to them, and observe how they behave in your presence.

Don’t be afraid to let the world know who you are, at whatever level you are.

Being authentic doesn’t mean you should stay static.

Allow yourself to grow and embrace new interests.