Man is a social being constantly in search of happiness. He needs to interact with other people, to feel accepted and integrated into society. In order not to feel left out or rejected, we often tend not to show our true face. The judgment of others can make us uncomfortable and we always think of pleasing them, even if it means inventing a personality for ourselves. It’s bad, but it sometimes appears as a survival reflex: the need to belong remains one of our basic needs. We would do absolutely anything to be part of a group of friends. But being yourself is more rewarding than anything else. Live your passion, know what suits us, and do nothing that may displease us. It is knowing how to choose yourself over so many other choices and respect what you are.
There are many questions that come up in this regard: how to accept yourself as you are? Why is it so difficult to stand out from the eyes of others? Should we take the criticisms into account? I will provide some answers in the rest of this article.
What does it actually mean to be yourself?
“Be yourself “: the phrase most often used to give advice, no matter the circumstance. In everything we do, the first piece of advice you will hear most often is this. Normally, being yourself shouldn’t be some sort of recommendation, but an automatism. A tree is a tree, a fish quietly lives its life as a fish. You will never see a dog pretending or even trying to meow. It is against nature moreover. However, Man puts aside who he really is, thus forgetting his self-esteem.
To be yourself is simply to accept yourself
Very often we are ashamed of these little imperfections and weaknesses over which we have no control. We hide under our clothes, we hide our true personality because we cannot come to terms with ourselves. The worst thing is this habit of considering a single fault despite all the qualities that we may have. However, knowing how to support and live in harmony with oneself is a state of mind in which we must be permanently. You have to know how to accept that you have faults and qualities. It is the first step to take to be able to be yourself.
Please Read: 9 STEPS TO HEALING FOR A BETTER YOU
Remember, each person is unique. This is what makes twins have totally different personalities. We may have a few things in common, but no one is nearly the same. And this is what makes the charm of the human being! If everyone were the same, wouldn’t the world be extremely boring? We must therefore accept this difference and live in such a way as to value our own potential, also called ikigai. This implies that you don’t have to constantly compare yourself to others. Since doing so might cause you to develop certain complexes and stereotypes.
To be yourself is to be the true version of yourself
Stick to your beliefs, principles, and values. Above all, don’t change them, just because others want to or because someone has criticized you. Each of us has an interest in letting our real “me” express itself in order to be more fulfilled. Don’t you want to communicate your thoughts and say what you really think? It’s better than lying about your opinion or saying nothing for fear of being judged. It is nicer to have people around you and to be able to be yourself. It’s even nicer than a circle of friends where you have to pretend to fit in.
However, that doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to your own flaws. On the contrary, show them the better to correct them. Admittedly, it is not obvious. We live in community. We have to follow the rules, be careful not to hurt others with our words. But this should not be done at the cost of our BEING. Life is only experience: make mistakes, learn from them and improve yourself. This is how you will reach your best version.
Why is it important to be yourself?
To remain oneself is to constantly strive for the best version of oneself while being true to oneself and to others. It is therefore an apprenticeship, one more step towards the knowledge of the intrinsic being that lies dormant in you.
To be yourself is to be accepted
Accepting yourself is loving yourself, trusting yourself, and believing in yourself. Above all, it helps you to discover and exploit your potential. And when these are used well, you have an easy time impacting other people. So you go from being an admirer to being a leader. That’s why it’s good to always be yourself. However, there will always be voices raised against you. But don’t let them destabilize you. Instead, use these reviews to improve yourself, it’s the best posture to adopt.
It’s to better manage your life
Being true to yourself helps you feel more fulfilled no matter the situation. Knowing ourselves and accepting ourselves as we allow us to feel good about ourselves. In this way, you will eliminate all the negative opinions you have about yourself. Imagine a life without frustrations, without the little voices in your head that make you feel discouraged. Being yourself can make you happier!
Be yourself for healthy relationships
Not lying to yourself is showing others your true version. This will give you a better chance of meeting people who look like you or at least accept you. You will be sure that the people around you are sincere and appreciate you for who you really are. Being yourself is also the best way to seduce your soul mate. Showing your real “me” is indeed the key to a lasting relationship free of lies.
Read: 5 STEPS TO THINK POSITIVELY
The keys to being yourself
How to be yourself?
For the most part, we all play several roles in our respective lives: parents, colleagues, friends, children… All these roles cannot be played in the same way. Our entourage has expectations of us. To please everyone, you forget who you are and move away from your real life. So the point is not to be nice to everyone, but to be real. It’s more rewarding.
Listen to your own desires, be your own priority. It is not selfish to do so. This goes in the same direction as the process of accepting oneself. Being yourself is actually living your life rather than the lives of others. Don’t beat yourself up. This reconnection to yourself will allow you to be more attentive to your intuition. This is the key to your happiness. So what should you do to know your real “me”? Here are some keys.
Discover or get to know each other
” Who am I?” This is a question to which many still seek the most correct answer. Indeed, this response is fundamental, even vital. You have to know who you really are before knowing how to live with others without fading away or encroaching on their lives. To be yourself is to blossom while knowing who you really are. Only this way can you give your best. If you’re struggling to do this on your own, there are a few choices available to you.
- Take a character test: today you can find many of these tests on the internet.
- Seek answers from people you trust, someone who has knowledge on the subject. A psychologist, for example.
- Ask your loved ones for advice. But not just anyone! Only people who really know you and trust you completely.
Being yourself is easier once you find out who you are. Take it to heart and collect all the possible answers. Take stock of your life. You’ve been through a lot, see how you survived. Try to understand your own emotions, find what you like to do, what you value less, your values, your strengths, your faults … in short, take stock. List everything and study each item. It is a long-term exercise that requires taking on yourself and a perpetual questioning to be true with yourself.
To be yourself, to let go of the influence or judgment of others
You can’t please everyone, and you know it. Moreover, even the greatest leaders were not unanimous. So relax, that’s life. Of course, you can take the criticism, but only the most constructive. You can consider them to improve yourself. If what other people say hurts you, don’t care. After all, it’s only you who really know yourself.
Don’t be afraid to admit your imperfections and speak up when you’re uncomfortable. It is also to be yourself. Concretely, imagine that you are standing in front of an audience to share an experience, but you are stressed. Say it loud and clear, admit that you have a lump in your stomach, cold sweat, and sweaty hands. And continue with your presentation. Don’t let the gaze of others fool you . . You have so much to offer, your opinion matters, so say whatever you need to say!
You will notice that the judgment of others on your intervention at this precise moment will seem less stressful to you, you will be more relaxed. It doesn’t matter what other people think when you know how to be yourself. Also avoid making comparisons. Otherwise, you will create frustrations that are irrelevant. Remember: no one is perfect and everyone is unique. So enhance yourself instead of demeaning yourself.
You are your best friend
The only person you live with until the end of time is you. Yep, so who do you want to live with? A plaintive? A pessimist? Or an optimist who makes you believe that anything is possible? So be that person you want to be. The one that makes you the happiest and that reminds you how to be yourself. Disregard the judgment of others. Of course, there are ethical standards and morals to be observed, but you don’t have to fit into a mold or a category.
Accepting yourself by dressing as you want, saying what you think or living as you want is a freedom. We are all entitled to it. So be fair to yourself, treat yourself like you want to be treated, pamper yourself. Do things for yourself, be kind to yourself, reward yourself for your achievements, buy yourself what you want without being ashamed. It is also that to be yourself!
You can also read this article: ACCEPTING TO IMROVE YOUR PERSONAL LIFE
Think positive and take care of yourself!
Self-confidence aka the universal key that helps to open all the doors of life. That’s right. When you have confidence in yourself, you are aware of your qualities, your faults and you move forward anyway. You will use your flaws as levers. If you doubt yourself, it will weigh down your capabilities. Tell yourself that you are capable of anything. Look at yourself in your mirror in the morning before you go to work and repeat ” you can do this!” As well as other encouragement. To help yourself be yourself and stay positive all day, there’s nothing like boosting your self-confidence! You have lots of qualities and wonderful talents to showcase. Don’t waste them in the dark.
If necessary, do not hesitate to seek an online psychologist or a mental coach . But it’s not just your mind. Your physique also matters. Take care of your body, play sports, eat healthy, wear the clothes you want and in which you feel comfortable and ready to take on the world!
Being yourself is a difficult exercise. I still have a long way to go to get there myself. I try to surround myself with people who accept me and who love me despite my faults. So be yourself every day, live your life to the fullest. Follow your heart and stand out from the eyes of others.
And you, do you have any opinions about being and staying yourself? What is your take on the subject? Kindly leave your comment below..
Ana Kevelin Reyes
Author, Mindset Coach & Speaker
