Do you have trouble expressing your authentic self? I know in a world full of copycats, followers and fake bodies coupled with cancel culture, it can be difficult feeling comfortable  expressing your authentic self. A lot of people suffer from anxiety or depression simple because they were bullied just for being themselves (which is what happened to me growing up). If you have been looking to tap into your authentic self then it would be necessary to  acknowledge your spiritual self in order to fully feel free and happy. Keep reading to learn the 6 tips necessary to help you unleash your authentic self.

What is Your Authentic Self?

The authentic self is the true self. It is who you were meant to be. Mental states associated with the authentic self are empathy, understanding, kindness, tolerance, forgiveness, love, altruism, gratefulness, happiness, humility, compassion, simplicity, wisdom, and peace. When you are authentic, who are at your core, aligns with the things that you do and the thoughts you believe.

A person is being authentic when they don’t care if people judge their clothes, career path, passions or religious beliefs. They do things that make them happy and they surround themselves with people who embrace them just as they are. Too often people  try to conform to other people’s beliefs or what people (or what the majority of society) approves. They essentially live life through their ego, which is your false self built off of fear. 

The ego is usually very defensive. It kicks in when you feel vulnerable, and it tries to compete with everyone and everything. Your ego desperately tries to protect you from the rest of the world. The ego is amplified by fear – especially fear of failure, the unknown, and change. It is full of negative emotions and mental states such as hostility, intolerance, blame, coldness, resentment, self-importance, pride, jealousy, and materialism. Most people operate out of the ego, which causes division, conflict, and even mental health issues such as doubt, worry, stress and anxiety.

To find your authentic self, you must move past the ego. You can never get rid of the ego. Instead, it must be integrated into the self with love. Like fear, you must acknowledge the ego, embrace it, and accept it. Then you can have a conscious relationship with it. It won’t have the power to dominate you if you can identify when it is operating. You see, the ego can either be fed or faced. There is no third alternative. The un-faced ego is what stands in your way and prevents you from achieving a higher level of consciousness and ultimately being your authentic self. So each and every moment, you have a conscious decision – will you face or feed your ego?

Why is Authenticity Important?

According to MasterClass: “Being authentic is important because it contributes to your holistic well being, encouraging happiness, fulfillment, and high self-esteem.” When you live with authenticity, life seems to be effortless. You have desires and goals, but your self worth and happiness are not dependent on them. 

Living with authenticity helps you love and accept yourself completely and deeply. You feel a connection (often indescribable) with the universe which allows you to trust in your intuition, or gut feelings more. You’re also less likely to find yourself being caught in circling thoughts (thinking about the same thing over and over) and you’re not consumed by your emotions (especially anger, hurt, and disappointment).

 

6 Tips to Express Your Authentic Self

There are six things necessary for people to spiritually tap into their authentic selves. When properly utilized, these things give you the ability to open up to the ultimate truth. Through them, we remember our authentic self, our eternal existence as pure energy, and our true nature. While we don’t completely lose our persona or personality through spiritual transformation, we wake up to the fact that who we were, or the ife we used to live, was never our true nature. It was simply a façade we constructed to navigate this confusing world.

1. Nutrition

Food not only nourishes your body, but it also has the potential to nourish your mind, emotions, and spirit. And because the spirit is the intersection of the mind, body, and emotions, if you aren’t nourishing one part of yourself, you aren’t nourishing your spirit. A malnourished spirit is demanding, insecure, and unhealthy.

On the contrary, a nourished spirit is much to be desired; it is whole, loving, and patient. Food is a dynamic substance – affecting how we think, feel, function, interact, and express ourselves. Spiritual nutrition involves not only choosing healthful foods, but also proper cooking, mindful eating, and the social interactions you have at mealtime.

Food contains and gives life – as do humans. Spiritual nutrition acknowledges the connections among the sun, earth, water, air, plants, animals, and humans – all of which contribute to the mystery of life. The interdependence of these things demonstrates how they are all connected to each other and the Source.

Clean nutritious foods open up energy channels within us, and the removal of these blockages may instigate the removal of spiritual barriers. Your relationship with food is symbolic of the way you operate in the world. Not only that, but eating the right foods have the potential to correct certain chakra imbalances. Your transition from an empty diet to a nurturing one is reflective of your spiritual transformation. I know that as I shifted into becoming my authentic self, I stopped craving empty, over processed foods and started embracing more fresh, natural and clean meals.

2. Building Your Life Force

When you excavate and express your authentic self, you build your life force. When you live in line with your mind-body needs, you nourish the spirit. Remember that the spirit is the intersection of mental, physical, and spiritual health. It is only by consciously building your own lifestyle that you create an opening for true spiritual transformation and the expression of the authentic self.

3. Service

You can’t tap into your authentic self when the ego is in control. Service for others releases the ego and increases happiness. Life is greatly enriched through service to others. You block your manifestations when you seek to gain without giving in return. You have to keep the energy of abundance flowing through you in order to keep it coming to you.

4. Inspiration and Spiritual Guidance

No matter your culture or religion, you benefit greatly from the help of a wiser, more spiritually mature mentor. Ideally, they will have encountered similar life situations and conundrums and be able to help you navigate them in line with the principles of your faith. After you find spiritual leaders, be open to what they teach. Humble yourself, recognizing that you are still learning and growing each day, and seek inspiration and wisdom from their teachings.

5. Silence

In any and all forms, silence creates room to experience the divine. It is virtually impossible to connect with the divine in the hustle and bustle of daily living, and that is why many never do. When you make the commitment to intentionally seek the divine through regular periods of silence and stillness, you will be rewarded with spiritual growth. The best time to seek silence and stillness is the morning – immediately after awakening. Your mind and spirit are like sponges first thing in the morning, soaking up whatever they encounter.

6. Awakening the Divine

It is only by aligning with your own unique spiritual path  that you can discover and express your authentic self – shining your light on everyone and everything you contact. As you awaken the divine inside, you reconnect to yourself and realize the truth of who you are. You also recognize that the mind, body, and spirit are all integrated and divine. This helps you achieve better physical health and psychological health by allowing your soul to speak into your life.

Need Help Expressing Your Authenticity?

So now that you know some tips necessary to express your authentic self, why don’t you take some time to see how you can improve the connections with yourself, and with others in your life to cultivate deeper and more meaningful connections. Let me know in the comments what helps you become more connected to your true power.

If you suffer from anxiety, depression or experienced a lot of mental/emotional abuse then it can be difficult to step into your authentic self. If you want to join a community of like minded individuals who are on the same healing journey towards expressing their authentic self, then my Tap In group coaching program is the perfect community to support you on your spiritual journey. It has all the tools necessary to heal your body, mind and spirit so you can let your light shine with confidence. For more information about my Tap In coaching program, then click here. I hope this helps.

In Good Health,
Amber Stewart BS,
Holistic Nutritionist
Certified Master Life Coach
ACSM Exercise Physiologist,
CTNC Mental Health Specialist
TBMM Corrective Exercise Specialist