One of the quickest routes to finding mental peace and eventually mental health is being honest. Yes with others but first with yourself.

So much of the mental health struggle today is still found behind the closed doors of fear, shame, worry and stigma. So we never show up in the world as the authentic us. The true us. We perform and act on the stage of life giving the audience what we think they want. Which in turn frustrates our mental and emotional health because the greatest crime in this response is our dishonesty to ourselves. You can never fix what you refuse to identify. Or let me say it this way: You never find recovery, or health mentally or emotionally until you own your truest self. There is a better way. Mental illness is not a life sentence. There is recovery, and it starts with telling yourself the truth.

“To be authentic, we must cultivate the courage to be imperfect — and vulnerable. We have to believe that we are fundamentally worthy of love and acceptance, just as we are. I’ve learned that there is no better way to invite more grace, gratitude and joy into our lives than by mindfully practicing authenticity.” –Brené Brown

Feeling safe and confident in your own skin and mind in order to be an authentic human. Do worry, there will not be a fifteen-step plan directing you on how to be a “better” person. Simply a sharing of ideas, and hopefully a ounce of inspiration to aid in taking some stressors out of daily life.

Live presently and think consciously

One part to being the most authentic you is self-knowledge. Know your thoughts, feelings, and even your beliefs and values. After doing a mental exploration of those topics, stick to them and do not let someone sway you from your values because that is what makes you, you. There are many noticeable societal, familial, religious, political, etc., pressures that people face on a daily basis. Just because someone that you are close with wants you to look or act a certain way, does not mean you must conform to their ideals of your life. If your beliefs and values happen to align with those around you, that is spectacular, but they must be what you want. Be independent from them. Live your own life so you can learn to love yourself and be confident. And don’t be afraid to change your mind. You may believe and value something only to wake up one day, more informed, more experienced. Own that you were wrong and move on in your new thinking.

Personal integrity

There are many sayings that essentially mean the same thing when it comes to personal integrity. For example, “put your money where your mouth is” or “talk the talk and walk the walk.” In essence, the point is to explain that you have to make sure your words match your actions by uncompromisingly adhering to your beliefs and values. You can accomplish this by doing things such as; keeping promises, being in the company of honest individuals, and taking responsibility for your own actions.

Another way to show your integrity is through showing respect and kindness to others. Regardless of sex, origin, color, sexuality, creed, etc., every person should be respected and shown kindness. Now, you may not necessarily like some of the people you encounter, which is not a requirement, however kindness can go a long way in brightening someone’s day and you get the honor of being a part of that.

Mental health

Mindfully practicing authenticity may aid in boosting confidence in your skin and mind, which may also help with types of stress, anxiety, or depression. Being personally authentic can open your mind up to new opportunities, new horizons, and simply a different perspective about yourself or the world.

Everyone deserves to be comfortable both physically and emotionally. Putting yourself first sometimes is never a bad thing, and do not let anyone tell you differently. Be confident in yourself, your actions, and the values and beliefs that you have decided are your own.

Be proud of who you are and what you stand for. Be confident in your identity. Be the best you that you can be, and that is all the authenticity you need.