The Power of Authenticity & How it Can Sustain Sobriety
Authenticity:
au·then·tic·i·ty (/ˌôˌTHenˈtisədē/): "The characteristic of being true or genuine”.
In this blog post, I’d like to review some of the benefits and challenges in living an authentic life. We’ll also discuss the difference between transparency and authenticity. Lastly, I’ll show some great research out of the University of California highlighting the considerable positive impact of living in an authentic way. I believe strongly that flexing your authenticity muscles will drive material success in one’s effort to achieve sustainable sobriety, counterintuitive to most minds which are more organically positioned to hide, protect and only present once polished. Similar to sucking in your gut to luck thinner, temporary attempts to impress do not serve us as eventually air must be had and reality reestablished and all that has been accomplished is a reminder of what is lacking. Let’s focus on the idea of authenticity and discuss the veracity of its claims on our lives and sustained sobriety respectively.
Know Yourself and Your Values
Knowing your values and what you stand for is the first step in getting to know yourself. How essential is honesty to you? What do you hold true? Knowing your basic beliefs might make it easier for you to make decisions in life since they represent the sort of person you want to be. Additionally, it's crucial to understand where these values originate. Understanding the answers to these questions will help you become more aware of your personal identity and your priorities.
Being honest with yourself might be challenging at times, but it's essential if you want to advance as a person. It entails accepting accountability for your errors rather than offering justifications or placing blame on others. It entails accepting the results no matter how painful they may be and admitting when something isn't working out rather than attempting to push it. Speaking up when something concerns you rather than holding it in until it blows up later on is another aspect of being honest with yourself. Finally, authenticity entails keeping an open mind which can mean trying new things even if they could fail. I’d even suggest seeking failure so that one can discover what works, what doesn’t and ultimately what lies on the other side.
Trust Your Gut
When in doubt, go with your gut; if something doesn't feel right, it usually isn’t. When making decisions, following your gut feelings may help you save a lot of time and effort since they act as a compass to steer you in the proper path. However, being able to distinguish between intuition and fear—what holds us back—is also necessary for trusting your gut (what moves us forward). Intuition helps us stay true to ourselves by nudging us in the correct way, no matter how difficult it may seem at times, whereas fear frequently leads us down roads we shouldn't follow.
Authenticity vs. Transparency
For many years, people have debated the link between authenticity and transparency. Transparency refers to being open and honest with others, whereas authenticity refers to being honest and genuine to oneself. For one to develop personally and realize their full potential, these two ideals are crucial each in their own ways.
Obstacles to being Authentic
The fear of judgment or not fitting in is one of the major obstacles to being Authentic. We frequently have expectations from society about how we should act and how we should seem. When everyone around us follows these standards, it may be challenging to be unique and authentic. We may repress our genuine emotions and wants in an effort to conform to society's norms out of a fear of being judged poorly for going against the grain.
Comparison
Comparison with others presents another difficulty. Instead of concentrating on our own particular skills and ideals, we frequently compare ourselves to people around us and attempt to imitate their success or lifestyle. This directs us toward the route that society tells us will lead to success rather than one that is necessarily best for ourselves. Comparing and desiring for other people's reality might take us away from authenticity as it makes us forget about our own aspirations and life's meaning.
Self-doubt
People frequently experience self-doubt, which can keep them from leading true lives. Our inner self and the person we wish to project to the world are at odds because of this self-doubt. Because we believe that our feelings are unimportant or that others won't like us if we are honest with ourselves, it may be difficult for us to trust our gut or be honest with ourselves. By allowing fear and uncertainty to rule instead of accepting who we truly are without holding anything against ourselves, this internal conflict can prevent us from becoming our best selves and living honestly.
According to a study done by University of California researchers (reference below), leading a genuine life is linked to several favorable outcomes, including better well-being, mental health, and success. Research that appeared in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that greater levels of subjective well-being, self-esteem, and psychological functioning are associated with authenticity. It was also shown that those who are more authentically themselves express higher levels of life pleasure and less stress. Sounds like a wonder drug to me!
The study further indicates that embracing honesty can improve interpersonal relationships. After revealing their actual selves without fear or condemnation, survey participants said they felt more connected to others. Furthermore, since they were more sincere and forthright about their ideas and feelings, people who maintained a condition of authenticity were regarded as more trustworthy by their peers.
Lastly, the research stated that authenticity has been associated with improved professional and academic achievement. Staying true to oneself might help people realize their potential by enabling them to concentrate on what matters to them instead of attempting to fit in with society's expectations or outdo others. As people may focus toward reaching their own particular objectives rather than comparing themselves to or competing with those around them, this can enhance motivation and productivity.
Overall, the evidence suggests that leading a genuine life has a variety of advantages. People who adopt this idea typically enjoy higher levels of well-being, better mental health, stronger interpersonal connections, and more success in their academic and professional endeavors. Furthermore, as authenticity enables people to remain true to themselves regardless of what society expects of them or how difficult it may appear at times, it may even result in longer-lasting enjoyment.
Does authenticity have similar benefits for you?
Research Summary
Problem: Because of pressure from others, comparison to others, and self-doubt, many of us find it difficult to live real lives.
Agitate: We frequently believe that in order to succeed, we must meet society standards or outperform our peers. This could steer us in the wrong directions and keep us from realizing our full potential.
Solution: Studies have shown that leading a genuine life is linked to many good effects, including higher happiness, better mental health, and more success (Kernis et al., 2019; Tran & Nguyen, 2020). People may achieve their potential by embracing authenticity because it enables them to concentrate on what matters to them rather than attempting to fit in or compete (Tran & Nguyen, 2020).
Reference:
Kernis, M. H., Lakey, C. E., Heppner W. L., Anderson K. A., Whitaker D. G., Wheatman S R.. (2019). Authenticity during adulthood as a predictor of subjective well-being and psychological functioning across time periods differing in levels of stability versus change in the environment. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology
Conclusion
Developing one's authenticity demands bravery, endurance, and commitment but ultimately results in significant rewards for the individual including higher happiness, better mental health, and more success. You will be well on your way to reaching real authenticity, which will lead to even more success in life, by learning how to know yourself better, practice honesty, trust your gut feelings, and listen intently to what matters most deep inside. Try implementing these suggestions and consider any positive impact on your attempts at sustainable sobriety.
Looking to dive deeper? Here’s a list of recommended books, men’s group and sex addiction assessment.
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