Finding My Authenticity To Set Stronger Goals, Joy and Work Past Suffering

I’m in a really exciting place in life, right now, that’s mixed with a lot of uncertainty and now I need to decide everyday when I wake up, what is going to have more power, my fear surrounding uncertainty or my excitement in the resources and opportunities I’ve been given…

The coping mechanisms that once worked for me aren’t working anymore - and that’s having a direct impact also on my happiness.

I find that instead of having more anxiety because of that, I actually have more grief, then anything else right now. I think a lot of us are grieving all the time and we don’t recognize it:

• It’s the constant pressure and awareness of the brokenness of life, and of people, including ourselves
• Jobs, relationships, dreams don’t turn out the way we want them to sometimes 

This article is all about finding your authenticity again, or all together so that you can set stronger goals, boundaries and navigate grieving and failures and suffering.

You can’t run or push away suffering, but you can work towards your authenticity. 

I don’t want to mix authenticity and “your truth” because I don’t personally believe in someone defining their own truth, but authenticity is more of fundamental values, which to me, values are different then truth.

We all have a unique self that is waiting to be discovered and embraced. 

However, life's challenges can often lead us astray from our true identity, leaving us feeling lost and powerless. 

But the good news is that it's never too late to rediscover your authentic self and take your power back. Whether it's navigating through suffering, trauma, or simply feeling stuck in life, finding your voice again can be a transformative experience. 

It's about reconnecting with your passions, values, and beliefs, and aligning them with your actions.

What does it mean to be authentic? 

Simply put, authenticity is the quality of being genuine in how you feel, perceive and absorb life. 

It's about embracing your values, and beliefs, and aligning them with your actions. 

Authenticity is not about being perfect or flawless; it's about being honest and true to yourself, even in the face of adversity.

Adversity can come in a lot of forms and I don’t think we talk about that often enough.

Living an authentic life can bring a sense of fulfillment and purpose. 

When we are true to ourselves, we are more likely to pursue our passions and live a life that aligns with our values and beliefs. 

We are less likely to compare ourselves to others or seek external validation. Instead, we find validation within ourselves, knowing that we are living a life that is true to who we are.

Social media has made this challenging due to us being constantly exposed to millions of finished products and journeys. It has become our new standard and life rubric.

However, living authentically can be challenging in a society that often values conformity and fitting in. 

From a young age, we are taught to behave in certain ways and follow certain norms. As we grow older, societal pressure can lead us to suppress our true selves in order to fit in or meet societal expectations. 

But the more we suppress our authentic selves, the more we feel disconnected from ourselves and our true purpose.

After years of feeling like I was floating, I finally feel grounded, I know exactly what I am supposed to do, and be, and create and even mourn.

Societal pressure can have a profound impact on our self-identity. 

We are bombarded with messages that tell us how we should look, behave, and live our lives. These messages can lead us to develop limiting beliefs about ourselves and our abilities. 

[I really like to ask people that I work with, coach, and teach to identify what limiting beliefs they may have] It’s interesting to do this because a lot of us either don’t have awareness of limiting beliefs, or we’ve never really acknowledged these beliefs as limiting.

We may begin to believe that we are not good enough or that we need to conform to societal norms in order to be accepted.

This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. We may also develop a fear of rejection, which can prevent us from expressing our true selves or pursuing our passions.

Breaking free from societal pressure requires a conscious effort to challenge our beliefs and values. It's about questioning the messages we receive and determining whether they align with our true selves. It's about recognizing that our worth does not depend on external validation but rather on our intrinsic value as human beings.

Suffering and pain are inevitable parts of the human experience. We all face challenges and obstacles that can leave us feeling lost and powerless. 

However, it's important to recognize that suffering can also be a catalyst for growth and self-discovery.

When we face adversity, we have an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our inner strength. 

We can develop resilience and a sense of empowerment that can carry us through future challenges. However, navigating suffering requires a willingness to face our pain and discomfort head-on. It's about acknowledging our emotions and allowing ourselves to feel them fully, without judgment or resistance.

Therapy or coaching can be helpful tools for navigating suffering and pain. A trained professional can offer support and guidance as we explore our emotions and work through past traumas. 

They can also help us develop coping strategies and self-care practices that can support our healing process.

Limiting beliefs are thoughts or beliefs that hold us back from achieving our goals and living our best lives. They can be deeply ingrained, often stemming from past experiences or societal messages. Examples of limiting beliefs include "I'm not good enough," "I'll never be successful," or "I don't deserve love."

Imposter Syndrome in my experience is the mixture of all of these things.

Breaking free from limiting beliefs requires a conscious effort to challenge them and replace them with more positive and empowering thoughts. 

For example, we may avoid taking risks or pursuing our passions out of fear of failure or rejection.

Self-love and acceptance are essential components of living an authentic life. When we love and accept ourselves, we are more likely to pursue our passions and live a life that aligns with our values and beliefs. 

We are less likely to compare ourselves to others or seek external validation. Instead, we find validation within ourselves, knowing that we are living a life that is true to who we are.

Cultivating self-love and acceptance requires a conscious effort to practice self-compassion and self-care. It's about treating ourselves with kindness and respect, even in the face of adversity. 

This can involve developing a regular self-care routine and routine - period.

It’s why I know I work with people on building a personalized process or workflow because that will empower you to give yourself permission to invest into yourself. 

It's about identifying your passions, values, and beliefs and aligning them with your actions. It's about speaking up for yourself and advocating for what you believe in, even in the face of opposition.

Expressing your authentic self can take many forms, such as pursuing a career or hobby that aligns with your passions or engaging in activism that aligns with your values. It can also involve developing healthy boundaries and saying no to things that do not align with your authentic self.

Vulnerability is often viewed as a weakness, but in reality, it is a strength. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we open ourselves up to connection and growth. 

We become more authentic and relatable to others, which can lead to deeper and more meaningful relationships.

Connecting with others who share our values and beliefs can also be empowering. It can provide us with a sense of community and support as we navigate through life's challenges.

Vulnerability can open doorways to purpose.

Living an authentic life does not mean being perfect. 

It's about embracing our imperfections and recognizing that they are part of what makes us unique. 

It's about being open to self-growth and learning from our experiences.

Embracing imperfection and self-growth requires a willingness to take risks and make mistakes. It's about recognizing that failure is not a reflection of our worth but rather an opportunity to learn and grow. It's about being open to feedback and using it to improve ourselves and our lives.

I hope today you feel encouraged to become a student of life, this is probably the biggest, most important step to finding our authentic self and staying open to life's possibilities. 

The people that remain trapped are those that decide they know everything there is to know about the world already. 

Navigating the journey towards self-discovery and empowerment can be challenging, and sometimes we need the support of a trained professional. 

A therapist or coach can offer guidance, support, and tools for navigating through life's challenges and rediscovering our authentic selves.

Therapy can be particularly helpful for working through past traumas or limiting beliefs that are holding us back. It can also provide us with tools for managing our emotions and developing healthy coping strategies. 

Coaching, on the other hand, can be helpful for identifying and pursuing our goals and passions. I’m a Success Coach by the way, so please feel free to reach out!

I hope you run towards your goals today, and the discovery of your authentic truth and fundamental core values!