Living an authentic life can often feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It’s about finding the courage to be true to yourself and make your own choices.
Over time, I’ve identified certain experiences that are common to those living an authentic life.
If you’ve had these 8 experiences, you’re likely leading a truly authentic life. They’re not hard and fast rules, but rather signposts guiding you on your journey.
So, if these resonate with you, congratulations! You’re on the right path. And if they don’t? Well, consider them a nudge in the right direction. Either way, let’s dive in and explore what it really means to live authentically.
1) Embracing change
Living an authentic life is synonymous with embracing change.
Change can be scary. It can feel like stepping into the unknown, facing uncertainty, and moving out of our comfort zones. But it’s also a part of life that we all have to face at some point or another.
In my work, I’ve found that those living authentic lives are not only open to change but actively seek it out. They understand that change often leads to growth and that growth is a vital part of a fulfilling life.
So if you’re someone who has learned to navigate the waters of change, who sees it not as a threat but as an opportunity for self-discovery and growth, then this is a strong indicator you’re living authentically.
And remember, embracing change isn’t about being reckless or haphazard. It’s about recognizing when something isn’t working, and having the courage to seek out a better way.
It’s about using change as a compass, guiding you towards a more fulfilling life. So if this resonates with you, you’re already on your way.
2) Understanding yourself and your core values
In the journey of living authentically, understanding yourself is a cornerstone. It’s about knowing your strengths, your weaknesses, and most importantly, your core values.
As Oscar Wilde famously said, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” This quote resonates deeply with me because it emphasizes the importance of self-understanding in leading an authentic life.
The better people understand themselves, the more capable they are of making decisions that align with their true selves. That’s why one of the main steps in my coaching process and in my course, Reset Your Life Compass is helping them define their core values.
In fact, I’ve created an exercise specifically for this purpose: Defining Your Values Exercise. This tool has helped many people gain deeper insight into what truly matters to them.
So if you find yourself regularly reflecting on who you are, what you stand for, and what your values are, you’re likely living a life that is true to who you are. If not, I invite you to try out my values exercise. It’s a great starting point on the journey to authenticity.
3) Setting meaningful goals
Living an authentic life means setting goals that truly matter to you. Not the goals that society, your friends, or your family might want for you, but the ones that resonate deeply with your own aspirations and values.
Sometimes, this means taking the road less traveled. It might mean pursuing a career path that isn’t traditionally seen as successful, or choosing to live a lifestyle that deviates from what’s considered “normal”. But it’s in these moments, when you’re truly living in alignment with your goals, that you’re living your most authentic life.
It’s challenging to set your own path and stick to it, especially when it seems like everyone else is going in a different direction. But at the end of the day, achieving your personal goals will bring a sense of fulfillment that no external validation can provide.
So ask yourself, are the goals you’re working towards truly yours? Or are they someone else’s dreams in disguise? If they’re truly yours, then you’re on the right path to an authentic life. If not, it might be time to reassess and redefine what success means to you.
4) Steering your own life
One of the most critical aspects of an authentic life is being in control of your own direction. It’s about making conscious decisions about your life’s course, rather than simply floating along with the current.
Steering your own life is not easy. It requires courage, determination, and a willingness to take risks. It means accepting responsibility for your actions and their outcomes.
But here’s the thing – when you’re the one at the helm, you get to decide where you’re going. You’re not at the mercy of someone else’s decisions or circumstances.
So, if you find yourself making intentional choices about your life’s direction, rather than just going with the flow, then you’re likely living a truly authentic life. If not, it might be time to grab the wheel. After all, this is your journey – shouldn’t you be the one navigating it?
5) Journaling your journey
In my coaching experience, I’ve found that journaling can be an incredibly powerful tool for those seeking to lead an authentic life. It allows you to reflect on your experiences, thoughts, and feelings in a safe and private space.
By writing down your thoughts, you can gain a better understanding of yourself and your life’s direction. It helps you to track your growth, celebrate your achievements, and understand your challenges.
I’ve seen the transformative power of journaling firsthand with my clients, and it’s a practice I highly recommend. In fact, journaling forms a crucial part of my course, Reset Your Life Compass. I’ve designed it to help you identify and align with your true path in life.
So if you find yourself regularly putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to record your thoughts and experiences, then you’re likely living a truly authentic life. If not, I invite you to explore the power of journaling through my course. It could be the tool you need to unlock your authentic self.
6) Changing your habits
Living an authentic life often means changing your habits. These aren’t just your day-to-day routines, but also the ways you think, react, and interact with the world.
We all have habits that hold us back from being our true selves. Maybe it’s a tendency to avoid confrontation, a habit of self-doubt, or a pattern of procrastination. But the beautiful thing about habits is that they can be changed.
Changing a habit isn’t easy; it takes time, effort, and patience. But the rewards are incredibly fulfilling. When you successfully change a habit that’s been holding you back, it’s like breaking free from invisible chains.
So if you’ve managed to identify and change a habit that was not serving your authentic self, you’re on the right track. If not, don’t be discouraged. It’s never too late to start making changes for a more fulfilling life.
7) Finding your purpose
Living authentically goes hand in hand with finding your purpose. It’s about discovering what truly gives your life meaning and pursuing it wholeheartedly.
As Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” This quote underscores the importance of having a sense of purpose in life.
Truth be told, finding your purpose isn’t always straightforward. It can be a winding road with many detours and dead-ends. But when you do find it, it’s like a guiding star, illuminating your path and giving direction to your life.
If these words resonate with you and you’re actively seeking or living your purpose, then you’re likely living an authentic life. If not, remember that it’s never too late to start this journey. Your purpose is waiting for you.
8) Embracing imperfection
Now, this might sound counterintuitive, but living an authentic life is about embracing imperfection. It’s about accepting that you’re not perfect and that’s completely okay.
Ironically, the pursuit of perfection often leads us away from authenticity. We try to fit into a mold, meet impossible standards, or avoid making mistakes at all costs. But in doing so, we lose touch with our true selves.
Living authentically means acknowledging your flaws and mistakes, and seeing them as opportunities for growth rather than signs of failure. It’s about being real and honest with yourself and others.
So if you’re someone who isn’t afraid to show their imperfections, who embraces their shortcomings as much as their strengths, then you’re likely living a truly authentic life. If not, it’s time to let go of the pursuit of perfection. After all, it’s our imperfections that make us uniquely us.
Living a truly authentic life is a journey, not a destination. It’s about embracing change, understanding your core values, setting meaningful goals, steering your own life, journaling your journey, changing unhelpful habits, finding your purpose, and embracing imperfection.
If these experiences resonate with you, then you’re well on your way to living an authentic life. But remember, it’s okay if you’re not there yet. We’re all works in progress.
In my course, Reset Your Life Compass, I guide you through these experiences and more. I’ve designed it to help you align with your true path and live a more fulfilling and authentic life.
So whether you’re already on this journey or just starting out, remember that living authentically is about being true to yourself. And there’s no greater fulfillment than that.
