What Is Authenticity? Beyond the Buzzword

“Authenticity” — it’s everywhere these days. A buzzword splashed across social media captions, wellness blogs, and coffee mugs. And yet, for me, it can feel both bold and… a little scary.

If you ask most people, they’ll say it simply means being yourself — showing up as you are, saying what’s on your heart, and expressing your creativity in whatever way moves you.

I often picture authenticity like this: someone wearing a loud, colorful outfit, listening to their favorite jam, singing and swaying without a care in the world as they stroll through the neighborhood. Such freedom.

Free from the weight of “What will people think?” Free from self-consciousness. And every time I see someone like that, it makes me smile — maybe even giggle with delight — to witness them basking in their own joy.

The Beauty of Being Fully Yourself

Of course, life isn’t always that carefree. Maybe that same person goes home and cries over the state of the world. Maybe they feel overwhelmed by responsibilities or uncertainty. But in that moment, they chose to step outside and do something that lights them up.

If I asked them how they were doing, they might say:

“I’m doing wonderful right now. I may not feel this way later, but I can always come back to this.”

That’s the thing about authenticity — it’s not about being happy all the time. It’s about finding yourself again and again, even in the hard moments. It’s giving yourself permission to take breaks from the noise, the mess, the endless duties, and just be — a living, breathing soul enjoying music, movement, nature, or whatever fills you up.

We are all many things — many parts — multifaceted and ever-changing. At least, I hope we are. Because who wants to be less than who they truly are? Who wants to be loved only for the “best” parts and hide away the rest?

Why We Dim Our Light

When we hide our so-called “ugly” parts, when we only present the acceptable or polished pieces of ourselves, we dim our light. We sacrifice our authenticity for fickle acceptance.

We water down our colors to blend in. We get lost in the crowd chasing empty promises of materialism and money — only to feel hollow, because those things can’t fill the deeper need we have to be seen, heard, felt, known, and appreciated for exactly who we are.

You are a divinely created human being with inherent value. You are here to grow — spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally — in your own unique way, doing your best not to harm yourself or others.

I’ll be honest — even knowing this, I struggle sometimes to shine. Maybe you do too.

Ways to Practice Authenticity

Here are some ways I’ve found to lean into my authentic self. You might try these or create your own list:

• Wear what feels good for you — and notice any judgments that come up, from yourself or others.

• Trust your intuition — if a space doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to leave; if something calls you, it’s okay to enter.

• Speak from stillness and peace — you can be tired, overwhelmed, or exuberantly joyful. All are welcome states of being.

• Express your truth with compassion — as a friend once told me, “The truth may hurt, but it does not harm.”

• Find safe outlets for your voice — journaling, dancing, drawing, talking with trusted friends. It doesn’t always have to be public.

• Tend to your needs first — it’s hard to shine if you’re ignoring yourself.

Authenticity requires self-love, self-compassion, self-grace, self-attunement, and self-forgiveness.

Supporting Your Authentic Self

You can create practices that nurture the parts of you that struggle — mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. This is what allows for healing and growth.

Ask yourself:

• What fills me up?

• What lights me up?

• What soothes me?

Your answers will be different from anyone else’s — and that’s the point.

Make a list of what supports you (journaling, movement, nutrition, art, friends, adventure, curiosity, rest, nature, etc.). Pay attention to which part of you needs care, and when.

The more you practice tending to yourself in this way, the easier it becomes to show up fully — as the best, truest version of you — even in the moments when shining feels hard.

✨ Authenticity isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.

It’s about choosing to show up as yourself — in the light, in the dark, and everything in between. The world doesn’t need a watered-down you. It needs you.

Love and Light,

Ivana