Authenticity
/ˌɔːθɛnˈtɪsɪti/
ON A MORNING WALK IN DUBROVNIC, SOUTHERN CROATIA, 2018
Oxford Learner´s Dictionaries
authenticity
noun
/ˌɔːθenˈtɪsəti/
the quality of being true or what somebody claims it is
At times, when I appreciate someone or something vastly different from my own perspective, I realize it comes from a sense of authenticity I detect.
In a world increasingly driven by curated online personas and societal pressures to conform, the aspect of authenticity has never seemed more crucial. But what does it truly mean to be authentic?
Is being true to oneself not just a personal virtue, but a powerful force for positive change?
etymology
The word "authenticity" is derived from the adjective "authentic," which comes from the Greek word "authentikos" (αὐθεντικός) - "original, genuine, principal".
This Greek word is composed of two parts:
"autos" meaning "self"
"hentes" meaning "doer, being " - The combined meaning suggests someone or something "acting on one's own authority".
This origin reflects how authenticity is deeply tied to acting in alignment with one's own truth, beyond blindly conforming—a concept that remains relevant across cultures and philosophies today.
Gary Snyder, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and environmental activist, associates authenticity with our inner wildness; unintimidated, self-reliant, spontaneous.
Daoism, an Eastern philosophy emphasizing harmony with the natural world and the cultivation of inner wisdom, views authenticity as a state of being in tune with one's true nature beyond categories, self-authenticating, and playful.
Authenticity reflects a way of being, that is true to one's essence, unbound by societal constraints or expectations, in harmony with the natural flow of life.
The renowned Canadian physician and Holocaust survivor Dr. Gabor Maté highlights in his book “The myth of normal” that the prerequisite for living authentically is to actually know who we are.
He emphasizes that this is not the same as trying to improve oneself according to external measures in our prevailing trend of self-optimization.
This intuitive understanding of authenticity is supported by numerous scientific research:
A study published in the “Journal of Personality and Social Psychology” found that individuals who reported higher levels of authenticity also reported greater life satisfaction, self-esteem, and lower levels of stress and anxiety.
A meta-analysis of 75 studies found that authenticity was positively associated with various indicators of well-being, including positive affect, and self-esteem.
In the workplace, authenticity has been linked to increased performance and job satisfaction. A study published in the “Journal of Business Ethics” found that employees who felt they could be their authentic selves at work reported higher levels of work engagement and organizational commitment.
These findings demonstrate that authenticity is not just a philosophical ideal but a measurable factor that significantly impacts our emotional and professional lives.
What is there to gain?
Living authentically fosters realizing our unique potential through self-exploration, leading to self-expression. In this way we cultivate contributing our most natural talents to the world, as we reveal our innate creativity, inspiring innovative thinking.
It´s about living with a deeper satisfaction beyond external achievements, being guided by how we feel, not by how we think we should appear, overall increasing our self-esteem.
And most importantly, knowing ourselves deeply, reduces internal conflicts as we understand our emotions better while not being held hostage to them, facing life’s challenges with greater ease. Our self-understanding cultivates understanding of others, resulting in true connection beyond surface-level interaction, as we have the psychological strength to embrace vulnerability.
When do we lose out ?
It frequently amazes me how we humans are willing to bend our authentic nature, often to the point of losing sight of ourselves. In the pursuit of being something we are not, we become disconnected from our essence and our feelings, growing insecure about our own truths.
Striving for recognition in a competitive world filled with noise, we often cover up our innate wisdom and trade our soul connection for acknowledgment. Dr. Maté's words expand our understanding of authenticity:
“At its most concrete and pragmatic it means simply this: knowing our gut feelings when they arise and honoring them.”
In this regard, much of nature appears to be one step ahead of us. Unlike humans, it's unlikely that an oak tree dreams of having the flexibility of bamboo, or that a fish frets about its inability to climb a tree.
As the famous saying reminds us, “if we judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
The challenges of living aligned with our authenticity
After over two decades in the fashion business, I know how easy it is to get hooked on approval, driven to impress those who acknowledge our talents.
Societal measures can be difficult to resist, as we often base our self-worth on our ingrained desire to be seen by others rather than by ourselves.
A famous designer once told me he wants to “lock me in a room and have me drape all day and night”, as a somewhat threateningly feeling compliment to my work. An ex boss once said to be keen on “carving that raw diamond” he is excited to get his hands on.
At times it has turned out to be a fine line for me between co-creating and feeling exploited when my shaky sense of authenticity lured me into following the siren call of external appreciation.
Somewhere along the way, hustling with lack of self-esteem, my stamina to stand up to my surroundings wanting me to be whatever they needed, wavered:
We can lose the crucial connection with ourselves by becoming hooked on illusionary connection with others by yielding to their idea of us.
This experience taught me that staying true to myself was not just an act of courage but a necessity for preserving my sense of self-worth.
Admittedly, when being loyal towards ourself, we will likely face resistance or misunderstanding from others. And it can be surprisingly difficult to overcome ingrained habits and thought patterns as we balance authenticity with social and professional responsibilities.
As E.E. Cummings, the 20th-century American poet who consistently defied norms in both his life and work, states:
“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.”
It's like living a life that isn't truly ours, following everyone else’s compass but our own. By trying to set up a mark outside of ourselves we can end up following the coordinates of a GPS to a predefined destination that doesn't align with who we truly are.
Covering up our authentic nature with a life story that may even look great on the surface, yet doesn't resonate within can feel like the deepest betrayal.
Ironically, in our pursuit of external validation and acknowledgment, we often overlook our own wealth. Like the beggar in the old fable who sits unknowingly on a box of gold while begging for alms, we search outside ourselves for what we already possess within - the wisdom of our soul, our inner North.
As we align with our inner North, we get ourselves on our unique authentic path.
Unveiling our distractions from ourselves
I’ve explored how easy it is to get distracted from our path through constant escape, and my soul was having a hard time being heard in the haze. It materialized as insistently posting photos on social media a few years ago about a relationship I knew deep down wasn’t working. It was akin to soothing the inevitable pain with positive comments and likes.
This expansion by disillusionment reminded me of the wisdom of The Austrian writer Heimito von Doderer, who often explored themes of personal identity and social structures, stating:
“Mature is he who no longer falls for himself.”
This quote resonates as in highlighting :
True maturity comes from recognizing and confronting our own self-deceptions, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Tragically, we easily fall for our façade ourselves, not realizing anymore that we are wearing a mask. Turning the process around to a degree where we are being run by the masks we might successfully be promoting.
We can trap ourselves in being run by a life we have set up as an appealing story, instead of running our life in alignment with our inner North.
Wisdom of long lived lives
Recently, while spending significant time in hospital waiting rooms due to my parents' health issues, I engaged in conversations with the wisdom of many elderly individuals who opted for human interaction over screen time.
Their timeless advice for living the best possible life usually boiled down to two points:
“Live a life aligned with your true self.”
"You will regret what you have not done more than what you have done.”
Their advice underscores that living authentically requires both courage and reflection to break our self-limiting narratives and illusions—qualities that may lead to a life with fewer regrets.
It felt like a reminder that instead of wanting proof and certainty, we might just have to dare take the leap by exploring life on our own terms, and as the saying goes “ the net will appear”.
Though challenging, as it requires confronting societal expectations and our own self-deceptions, staying true to ourselves might be key to not worrying about never having lived when we die.
Explored practices, how to cultivate authenticity:
Practice self-reflection: Regularly set aside time to examine your thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Consider journaling or a meditation practice.
Identify and challenge societal expectations: Recognize external pressures and evaluate whether they align with your true self.
Embrace vulnerability: Allow yourself to be seen, even when it feels uncomfortable. It opens the door to deeper connection beyond surface-level interaction.
Set boundaries: Learn to say No to things that don't align with your values or authentic self. Many times, a No to someone else is a fiercely authentic Yes to ourselves.
Cultivate self-compassion: Be kind to yourself as you navigate the journey of authenticity. It´s about getting to know yourself intimately, not judging who you are (including not to judge yourself for judging if you catch yourself doing so.)
There are useful hints, that you are revealing your authenticity:
Feeling congruent in your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Experiencing a sense of ease and flow in daily life, rather than being strained to perform countless roles you hold yourself responsible to.
Having courage to express unpopular opinions when necessary while not being upset when other people don’t agree.
Feeling comfortable with both your strengths and challenging aspects. Being curious rather than judging what you might not like.
Trusting your inner values to make decisions beyond external pressures. Recognizing your gut instinct and that inner voice above the noise.
In a way, cultivating authenticity becomes an act of quiet rebellion—reclaiming our humanity and making our unique voices vital.
Like this we don’t only transform our own lives but also cultivate a world that values genuine expression over superficial conformity to broaden our shared human diverse expression.
Have you asked yourself:
In what areas of your life do you feel most authentic? Least authentic?
Can you recall a time when being authentic led to a positive outcome, despite initial fears?
What societal expectations do you find most challenging to your authentic self?
How might your relationships change if you were to be more authentic in them?