The positive benefits of learning to live an authentic life are incalculable. Less stress and anxiety, feelings of self worth and generally being happier in yourself. Greater motivation and peace of mind.

Living authentically, that is living on a daily basis in tune with you true values, not compromising them to be acceptable, popular or not make "waves"

Most people wear a "mask" through life. It's the face that they put on for either the benefit of others or to shield themselves and hide heir true self. This mask is developed over a long time stating in early childhood, around 6 and them becoming more complex as time goes on. Under Sixes wear no mask, they are who they are but then comes the moment when consciousness arrives, specifically self consciousness and from then on we become aware of how others may judge us. We begin to adjust our behaviour to a way that we "think" others will accept more easily.

This is of course all a construct of our minds. We actually don't know what others are thinking. We imagine and assume this and in doing so create a persona that is not true to who we really are. In extreme cases people literally create a persona that is a complete fantasy, like a character form a play.

Deconstructing this personal takes time. We need to learn to trust ourselves, to understand that we are good enough just as we are. The older one gets the easier it is, older people don't care as much about what others think so it's easier to be authentic.

The process can start with simply saying what you believe rather than what is acceptable, preparing to stand alone occasionally and not worrying about the short term consequences.

Studies have shown that we appreciate people who are authentic, we trust them more and feel they are more reliable. Think of someone that you know that is who they are, don't we appreciate them? On the other hand think of somebody you know that swings with the wind so to say, tends to agree with whoever they are with, has inconsistent values that depend on the moment, place or people they mix with, how do you feel about them?

Learning to live authentically is possibly the single most important change you can make towards your open happiness.

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