We all have our own nuanced ideas around the term 'authenticity', but there are 4 misconceptions that are quite common...

1) It's simple: just be yourself

Contrary to what it seems, authenticity is more than just going with what you feel. Being authentic is a continuous effort to peel back the layers of who you are by way of self-reflection, shadow work and holistic healing.

2) It's easy to identify who is authentic

Many people are quick to attribute the quality of authenticity to the people they like, especially if they think they're an honest person. But authenticity is mostly about how a person treats themself, so it still requires greater discernment to decipher whether a person is authentic.

3) Authentic people behave in the same way

There are commonalities between how authentic people behave, but even when presented with the same situations they may respond differently, because they are still an individual with a unique personality.

4) Everyone appreciates authenticity

As much as we wish this was true, not everyone appreciates authenticity. And why should we expect them to?

Let's be real: most people are simply not authentic and hide underlying feelings of shame & guilt. These feelings can manifest as avoidance or dislike towards those who are authentic.

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