It is easy to say ‘Be YOU and Be Original…’ but it’s not. Every day of our lives we are thrown into situations where we have to protect ourselves, and our private lives, from others by acting like a completely different person. Think of it as a line of defense, and a shield from prying eyes and judgement.
It may include putting on a forced smile when we don’t feel like it, agreeing with someone when we don’t believe in what they are saying or hugging someone we really don’t like being physically close to. Life is full of these not-so-authentic moments and the more we engage in these experiences, the more we lose of ourselves.
So we ask ourselves, how can we be our authentic selves every single day of our lives? There are a few ways that you can work towards achieving this goal to be your true self every day for the rest of your life. It just takes some time, acceptance and effort to get to that point.
Always Say What You Mean
Have you ever admired a highly opinionated person or an individual that expresses their thoughts and feelings without hesitation? You can be this way too with a little practice. It doesn’t matter if you were born a wall flower or whether you are naturally shy. Shy people can still voice their opinions and get their points across in a gentle way. Be firm with your decisions and speak from the heart.
Learn to Say No
So many of us tend to get sucked into saying yes for things we do not want to do. To be your authentic self, you must say no when you mean it. This is very important because the more you do things that you don’t want to do, the more you sacrifice your self-respect, and perhaps some of your soul. When someone asks you to do something that you really don’t want to do, say no. Do not force yourself to do things that make you uncomfortable, and live your life at your own pace.
Accept That You Are Enough
Be your authentic self every day and realize that you are good enough just as you are. Too many people try to change us or try to lead us down another path that is not meant for us. Do not be easily persuaded and stick to the path you feel is right for you. By knowing you are good enough on a daily basis, you are being your authentic self. Remember that you do not have to change for anyone and that you are perfect just the way you are.
Society pushes and pressures us to be a certain way, but once we break free, we are one step closer to absolute enlightenment. If you practice the tips above on a daily basis, you will fall into a pattern and become the person you were meant to be the day you entered the world. Don’t let anyone hold you back from being who you truly are.