Authenticity (noun): the quality of being real or true.

Authenticity is said to be the highest frequency – a higher vibration even than love. When we are able to be our true selves we are aligned, in flow, and everything starts to fall into place.

If everyone was authentically, unapologetically themselves, we’d have a society full of successful, abundant, fulfilled human beings, loving their lives and living their truths. So, why does it not feel as though this is the case?

People are afraid to be themselves – unsure of what others might think, worried about the consequences, and just generally lost about how to relax, let go and be real.

We live according to professional expectations, fear of rejection, needing to please, and that idealisation of who we ‘should’ be.

When we start to allow our authentic selves to shine through, we can start to experience true freedom, release the pressure that comes from putting on a front, and start to really appreciate ourselves for who we truly are.

Something that comes hand in hand with the struggle to be ourselves is comparison to others. Thinking or wishing that we were more like them. Trying to act a certain way because of the influence of others. We must realise that we are at our absolute best when we are authentic rather than trying to imitate.

Ask yourself, what feels right to you? What feels true? What makes you happy when nobody else is around? Who is the real you? The world needs this version of you! Not an attempted copy of somebody else.

Start by being honest with yourself about who you are and what you want. Slowly share this version of you with trusted loved ones, and gradually allow the real, authentic, fabulous YOU to shine through to the world.

 PS – If you want some more guidance and to ponder on the big questions in life, why not check out the Philosopher-in-Residence series. Out every fortnight on a Thursday, and written by our Principal Planner, Anna Pascoe.  You can take a peek at the latest edition here: ON SAYING GOOD MORNING - Make Me A Plan