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Processed with VSCO with c1 preset

Processed with VSCO with c1 preset

Processed with VSCO with c1 preset

Processed with VSCO with c1 preset

Hey everyone, today I’m doing something a little different on the blog. I got such a good response on the last post about happiness, so I thought I would continue the positive life series. Today, I’m talking about authenticity… what is it and why is it important? Read on to learn more!

For teenagers, this is a time in our lives when we are still figuring out who we are as individuals. It can be difficult to know what we want when we’re expected to do so many things. However, it’s important to stick to your morals and above all… do the right thing, even if society may not agree.

Authenticity means staying genuine to who you are. It is the degree to which one is true to one’s own personality or character, despite external pressures or outside influences. It means staying true to who you are, even if it’s the harder thing to do. Authenticity comes from your heart.

In the age of Instagram, it’s difficult to be authentic when filters and aesthetics are everything, and “likes” supposedly determine your self worth. While social media can be an awesome tool for connecting with your friends, it’s also stressful for a teenager who just wants to live their life. I’ve found way too often that I’ve been sucked into my phone, constantly checking it for updates on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. Recently, I have been taking a break from social media, checking my phone only when necessary, and updating pictures on my feed only when I feel inspired. It’s important to post for you and not because you feel like you have to.

William Shakespeare once wrote, “This above all: to thine own self be true.” As both a drama geek and a “normal” human being, this advice still resonates with me today. It’s harder to form genuine connections when everything around you seems fake. Talking to people who appear to have no empathy or discernible personality can be exhausting when all they want to do is impress people who they believe are superior to them. I believe you should be who you are regardless of who is standing next to you or in front of you. Stop looking outside of yourself to “fit in”. Be consistent in who you are and let go of the need to satisfy someone else’s criteria to feel good about yourself. If you are always changing your personality to suit someone else, then you lose your true self. Why do that? What value does it add to your life? Treating others with respect and the way you expect to be treated and having the expectation that others should do the same is crucial to being authentic.

You cannot be authentic without first having a strong sense of character, being a good listener, and loving yourself. Self-reflection helps you experience less anxiety because you’re not concerned about what others may think. This makes you self-confident not arrogant or conceited. You have the courage to be who you really are.

So, let’s all do some self-reflection. Let go of the superficial agendas of trying to be better than others, or having more money, more stuff, etc. because “status” is temporary and subjective. Find a passion in something and pursue it. When you focus your energy on an inspiration of yours, the excitement leads you to be your authentic self. Remember, there’s nobody exactly like you in the world, so why try and be someone different? Being your true authentic self and living YOUR life is priceless.

I hope you choose to live your best, most authentic life from now on. Comment down below topics you would like for future posts!

See you soon!

xo, Liv