Why Is It Vital To Tap Into Your Most Authentic Self?
PART I
When we look inward to try to find our authentic self, we can be left feeling as if we’re probing for a slippery and illusive entity. It’s hardly surprising, when we consider the social media driven world in which we live today. But, what are the costs of having lost our tab on our own authenticity? And — more importantly — what do we stand to gain if we not only track down our true nature, but make it our collaborator?
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” — Aristotle
Not only ancient philosophers, but also modern science, indicates more and more that living with authenticity is the path to happiness, health, life fulfilment, and even wealth. It would seem that it’s time to take off the mask, and align the outer with the inner. So, what can we expect if we move towards authenticity with intention, and how do we begin?
The Adaptive Versus The Authentic
We each juggle a desire to find a meaningful place within society, and the instinct to fit in. Within a modern, screen-obsessed and consumer driven culture, it is hard to avoid the lure of the superficial — the drive to seek the reward of appearances, rather than authentic living. This mode of thought and behaviour can be referred to as the “adaptive self”, and was likely moulded during our formative years — from parental guidance to our favourite television shows.
“Authenticity is the alignment of head, mouth, heart, and feet — thinking, saying, feeling, and doing the same thing — consistently. This builds trust, and followers love leaders they can trust.” — Lance Secretan
The adaptive self is all about fitting in, being accepted, and doing as we’re told. This mode of thought has it’s values, however when we find ourselves with an itchy and uncomfortable feeling of inauthenticity, we would be wise to presume that our adaptive self has steered us far off course, and we need to retrace our steps to authenticity — or perhaps even locate this inner mythical beast for the first time!
Authenticity Makes Us More Resilient
In contrast, the “authentic self” means behaving in a way that is aligned with our values, and connected with our deeper instincts. We might imagine that in the culture of today this is the less common mindset of the two, however evidence suggests that we can only be at our most optimal — and most resilient — when tapped into the authentic. Study after study indicates that those who live as their authentic self score higher on measures of happiness, but research from the University Of Houston revealed that authenticity is also protective in nature.
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” — Carl Jung
The study set out to examine loneliness, in the context of it’s relationship to mental health. Researchers surveyed students experiencing loneliness, examining parameters such as mindset, mood, health symptoms, and alcohol intake. They discovered that those who felt lonely were far more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and negative physical symptoms, and were likely to drink to greater excess. However, study participants who were identified as in possession of a more authentic mindset broke away from such correlations. More in tune with their inner states, those rooted in authenticity were safeguarded from the detrimental impacts of loneliness.
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