Episode 004 – Being Your Authentic Self
In this episode of ‘Conscious Transformation,’ we explore the importance of living authentically and following your heart. Discover practical steps to align your life with your true self, embrace vulnerability, let go of perfectionism, and trust your intuition. Learn how setting boundaries and celebrating small wins can transform your journey. Join us as we delve into the continuous process of self-discovery and the ripple effect of authenticity, inspiring a supportive and genuine community. Tune in and start living a life that truly resonates with your soul!
Join my free community: Conscious Transformation Community https://www.skool.com/conscious-transformation/about
Follow me:
Transcript
Hello and welcome to ‘Conscious Transformation!’ My name is Helene Hall and this episode is for all of you who are striving for success and happiness but may have lost touch with what truly makes your heart sing. Are you living a life that doesn’t fully resonate with who you are today? Today, we’re diving into the importance of being your authentic self, following your heart, and creating a life that truly resonates with your purpose. You only live once, so what are you waiting for?
To get started, I want you to take a moment, wherever you are, and think about what truly makes you happy. After this podcast please take a few minutes just to think through what really makes you happy and double check that your default answers are still true and relevant. What are the things that light you up from the inside out? Often, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we forget to check in with ourselves and our deepest desires. This is your reminder to do just that.
I remember when I first asked myself these questions. I was so focused on my career and meeting societal expectations that I hadn’t stopped to consider what I really wanted, I also had these goals and beliefs about what I needed to do for my happiness but they were not actually connected to my happiness, my passions or my purpose. It was a moment of clarity when I realized that the life I was building really wasn’t aligned with my true passions and dreams. So I decided to make a change.
One way to approach this is to start by thinking about what your ideal day looks like. Where are you? What are you doing? Who are you with? These aren’t just daydreams – they are clues to your true self. Write down these visions and use them as a guide to start making small changes in your life today. Whilst you play and unfold this more deeper understanding of what it would be like to be your authentic self.
The first step to living authentically is to understand who you really are. This means getting in touch with your values, passions, and dreams. Often, we suppress these aspects of ourselves because we think they aren’t practical or because we fear judgment. But living authentically means embracing these parts of ourselves fully.
For me, it’s all about living in a state of peace, acceptance, and allowing myself to be me. I am innately loving and love to love, to give, to share, and unite. It wasn’t always the case as I had too many traumas in front of that desire, and so it took me some time to heal, teach myself how to accept, love, and be me. Now that I am there, it’s about finding more opportunities to share, love, and uplift others.
So it’s not about making drastic changes overnight. It’s about gradually aligning your daily actions with your inner self. Start by identifying small steps you can take today to move closer to your ideal life. Maybe it’s spending more time on a hobby you love, or perhaps it’s setting boundaries that protect your time and energy.
One of the most powerful changes I made, was to realize that I was not living the life that I actually wanted. I was living a life that I thought I wanted, as I had pushed back my happiness goals until my 60’s so at that time when I was in my 30’s it would have been a lifetime away. This realization was both liberating and terrifying as I had to unlearn many habits and beliefs that no longer served me and start listening to my inner voice, doing the work and feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
So, how do you start this journey of authenticity? Here are some steps to guide you:
1. Self-Reflection: Take time to reflect on your life and identify areas where you feel unfulfilled. Ask yourself what changes you can make to align more with your true self.
2. Identify Your Values: What values are most important to you? Make a list and consider how your current lifestyle aligns with these values.
3. Follow Your Passions: What activities make you lose track of time? What did you love doing as a child? Reconnect with these passions and find ways to incorporate them into your life.
4. Set Boundaries: Protect your time and energy by setting boundaries. Learn to say no to things that don’t serve your authentic self.
5. Surround Yourself with Support: Seek out people who support your journey to authenticity. Surround yourself with positive influences who encourage you to be yourself.
6. Practice Self-Compassion: Be gentle with yourself during this process. Change takes time, and it’s important to celebrate small victories along the way.
Let me illustrate these steps with a personal story. I want to share the journey of a dear friend who rediscovered her authentic self. She was a successful corporate executive but felt a persistent emptiness. Through self-reflection and pursuing her passion for art, she transitioned to a fulfilling career as an artist. It wasn’t easy, but by aligning her actions with her true self, she found joy, contentment, and financial security.
She started by taking evening art classes while still working her corporate job. She set boundaries with her work to make time for her art, something she had always loved but neglected for years. She surrounded herself with supportive friends who encouraged her to pursue her passion. Gradually, she built a portfolio, started selling her work, and eventually made a full transition to being a professional artist. Her story is a testament to the power of living authentically and following your passions.
As you embark on this journey, remember that authenticity is a continuous process. It’s about making choices every day that honor who you are and what you value. It’s about being brave enough to live life on your terms, even when it’s challenging.
A significant part of being your authentic self is embracing vulnerability. It’s about showing up as you are, without pretense . This can be incredibly scary because it means exposing parts of yourself that you might usually keep hidden. However, vulnerability is also where true connection and transformation happen.
Think about a time when you felt truly seen and heard by someone. It was likely a moment when you let your guard down and shared something personal. These moments create deep, meaningful connections. By being vulnerable, you give others permission to do the same, fostering an environment of trust and authenticity.
Another crucial aspect of living authentically is letting go of perfectionism. Perfectionism is the enemy of authenticity because it forces you to conform to unrealistic standards and masks your true self. Embrace your imperfections and see them as part of what makes you unique.
I struggled with perfectionism for a long time. I wanted everything to be flawless – my work, my appearance, my relationships. But this constant striving for perfection left me feeling exhausted and unfulfilled. I realized that my imperfections were not weaknesses but part of my humanity. Embracing them allowed me to connect with others on a deeper level and live more authentically.
Listening to your intuition is a powerful way to stay connected with your authentic self. Your intuition is your inner guide, a source of wisdom that knows what’s best for you. However, in our busy lives, it’s easy to ignore or dismiss this inner voice.
To reconnect with your intuition, try practices like meditation, journaling, or spending time in nature. These activities quiet the mind and help you tune into your inner guidance. Trusting your intuition can lead to decisions that align more closely with your true self.
Saying no is a vital skill in living authentically. It’s about setting boundaries and protecting your time and energy. When you say yes to things that don’t align with your values or passions, you drain your energy and move further away from your true self.
Learning to say no was a game-changer for me. I used to say yes to everything because I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. But this left me feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from myself. By learning to say no, I could focus on what truly mattered to me and live more authentically.
When I decided to live more authentically, I made changes to my environment. I decluttered my home, removing items that no longer resonated with me. I also sought out new friends who shared my values and passions. These changes created a supportive environment that nurtured my authentic self.
Living authentically is not a one-time event but a continuous process of growth and self-discovery. As you evolve, your understanding of your authentic self may change. Embrace this growth and be open to new possibilities.
I continue to learn and grow on my journey to authenticity. Each day brings new insights and opportunities to align more closely with my true self. This continuous growth keeps life exciting and fulfilling.
Living authentically not only transforms your life but also has a ripple effect on those around you. When you show up as your true self, you inspire others to do the same. Your authenticity creates a positive impact on your community and beyond.
I’ve seen this ripple effect in my own life. As I became more authentic, my relationships improved, and I felt more connected to those around me. I also noticed that my authenticity inspired others to be more genuine and open. This ripple effect creates a more authentic and supportive world.
As you embark on your journey to authenticity, remember that you are not alone. There is a community of conscious transformers who are on the same path. Together, we can support and uplift each other.
Thank you for joining me on this episode of ‘Conscious Transformation.’ If you found this episode inspiring, please subscribe, share it with others who might benefit, and leave a review. Stay connected with me via the Conscious Transformation free community where you’ll find additional resources and support. Together, we can create a community of conscious transformers who inspire and uplift each other.
Follow me on Instagram and YouTube for more inspiration and resources. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Remember, you only live once, so make it a life that truly resonates with your soul.
Until next time, stay true to yourself and keep transforming consciously.
You May Also Like
The Complexity of ME/CFS in Young People: What Parents Need to Know
What’s the fuss about blockchain?
