Today at a Glance
- 2024 is going to be a year of inner revolution and revelation.
- What is the True Authentic Self?
- How to be your True Authentic Self in 2024 (5 exercises)
2024 is going to be a year of inner revolution and revelation. More and more you will feel that your habits, actions, and behavior are not aligned with your true authentic self.
We’re born individuals. There are no two people exactly alike — there never have been and never will be. But we’re also social beings. We need both aspects to survive and thrive.
Often we’re raised into conformity. The true authentic self gets suppressed. We want others to like us. Therefore, we sacrifice who we really are and what we want in life.
Upholding a life that doesn’t belong to us requires an enormous amount of energy. It’s like dragging around the heavy burden of constantly pretending to be someone we’re not.
When we start living life on our own terms we can finally spend that energy on something useful.
“The longest journey you will make in your life is from your head to your heart.”
Living out your true authentic self is empowering.
It’s the daily practice of becoming who you are.
You exercise
- the pursuit of authenticity
- valuing your individuality
- self-discovery
You resist societal pressures and embrace your uniqueness to live in alignment with your innermost values, beliefs, and aspirations.
This is not an easy venture.
But it’s the one that kindles your inner fire, fueling your highest energy, so that you can show up as your best self
- at work
- with your family
- fulfill your chosen purpose
"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are."
What is the True Authentic Self?
The true authentic self is the deepest and most genuine expression of your identity. According to C.G. Jung, it’s the central and organizing principle of the psyche. The True Authentic Self is the totality of the individual — the conscious and unconscious aspects of the personality.
When we are free from external influences, societal expectations, and the constraints of the ego our thoughts, feelings, and actions align with our core values, beliefs, and aspirations.
We carve out the true authentic self through a process of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and continual growth. It’s an adventurous exploration of both conscious and unconscious aspects.
The true authentic self is a dynamic and evolving expression of individuality.
How to be your True Authentic Self in 2024 (5 exercises)
In every weak and pain-plagued person lies a dormant strong one.
In every stressed-out tense person lies a dormant calm one.
In every overweight person lies a dormant slim one.
It’s a journey within. Because fitness, health, and personal growth is an inside job.
So let’s get to work…
Here are 5 exercises to help you become your most authentic self in 2024:
1) Clarify your Values
Write down your top five values in life (Ours are health, freedom, authenticity, sustainability, trust).
For each value, ask yourself:
- Why is this value important to me?
- How do I express or live by this value in my daily life?
- Are there situations where I compromise this value, and if so, why?
2) Merge Physical Well-being with Mental Clarity
Establish a daily mindfulness routine. That could be
- mindful movement
- mindful breathing
- mindful eating
Arrive in the here and now by paying attention to your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without judgment.
3) Connect Mind and Body
You can make any form of movement or exercise a mind-body activity.
For instance, we combine strength training, stretching, mobility work, and mindful movement in a single approach — beyond Movement. Here you focus on the sensations in your body and the connection between mind and muscle while working out.
You can also practice a body-scan meditation to deepen your awareness within (interoception). Notice any areas of tension or relaxation and how they correspond to your emotions.
4) Self-Reflect for Stress Reduction
Set aside dedicated time each week for journaling (time block your calendar). Reflect on your experiences, challenges, and emotions.
Identify stressors (energy takers) and explore healthy coping mechanisms (energy givers).
The Energy Lab stands for experimenting with different methods and techniques to find what fits you best e.g.:
- deep breathing
- spending time in nature
- progressive muscle relaxation
Evaluate their effectiveness for you.
5) Discover your Strengths and Weaknesses
Identify three of your strengths and three areas you consider weaknesses.
For each strength, ask:
- How have I used this strength to achieve positive outcomes in the past?
- How can I leverage this strength more intentionally in my personal and professional life?
For each weakness, ask:
- In what situations do I notice these weaknesses affecting my performance or well-being?
- What steps can I take to improve in these areas, or how can I mitigate the impact of these weaknesses?
That’s it for today.
Hope you enjoyed it (and learned something new).
What’s going on in our world
This week Ketty interviewed Ambreen Nadeem at the “The Energy Lab” Podcast.
Ambreen Nadeem, is an awesome psychologist and founder of the Psychology Talks, and the author of “The Algorithm of Life”.
She is passionate about helping people in understanding psychology in the day to day life.
In our conversation at The Energy Lab podcast, Ambreen is sharing high-value insights on how to improve ourselves through self-control, habits, and intuition.
Listen to the interview:
As always, stay fit, stay active, and enjoy your life.
Ketty & Markus
