According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, authenticity is being "true to one's own personality, spirit, or character." I agree with this definition, but I'm going to dig into it a bit deeper.
To me, authenticity is actively being yourself, accepting all your odd quirks, and most importantly, being comfortable in your own mistakes.
In our early childhood, we had no idea that we were supposed to be anything other than what we wanted to be. If we wanted to be an explorer venturing in a new land, a dog, or our favorite movie character... we could be! We felt no restraint to be our authentic self, and we pursued these dreams in our play without questions.
By the times most of us reached the age of middle school, the thought of being authentic was almost appalling! All we wanted to do was to fit in, and not stand out. Weather it concerned our hair cut, clothes, body type, music, or friends most of us likely leaned towards anything but authentic.
Then we hit the high school and college age. We begin to realize that there's no point in pursuing qualities about ourselves which we don't possess. We begin to realize that we have to accept the qualities we can't change, and we learn to love that these qualities are what make us, us.
Living in a western culture which promotes extroversion, feminine beauty, and achievement through the media, school system, and friend groups it's easy to feel uncomfortable being one who doesn't conform to said standards.
I, like everyone else, have had to accept that (for example) that I may not be the most bubbly person or the best at relationships, but what's important is that I now know that this is me, take it or leave it. We can try to improve upon our faults, but we also can't be expected to change on a dime for someone else's expectations.
At our core, we are who we are.
To the ones who chooses to spend the a few weekends in, the ones who don't feel uncomfortable without their makeup, and the ones who don't follow the American plot of success, I implore you. You've discovered your authentic happiness because it's a path you chose to pave for yourself!
Even now, while I reflect on this short article, I wish I were able to follow what I'm preaching. In reality being true to yourself and what you really desire in life, could lead you to burnt bridges. What you want for your own life most likely won't line up with what others close to you may want for you.
Here and now I'm in my junior year of college, and I can proudly say I continuing on my journey towards achieving my authentic self in my relationships, with my self, and in my social and professional lives. I'm definitely closer than where I was, but still working on reaching that finish line! But what's important here is the ability to reflect on where you were, and where you are now; because that's an important mile stone to let you know you're on the right path.
