New Year. A blank page. As 2024 begins and we make plans, set intentions, and prepare to write a new story, there is one question worth keeping in our hearts and at the forefront of our minds: how will I live authentically this year? This question could be asked in different ways: how to stay true to myself? How do I live in alignment with my values? How do I live according to God’s plan for my life? How do I live with integrity?
I wonder what comes to you when you read these questions. What would an authentic life look like to you?
To answer this question, you might want to ask what the opposite of an authentic life would look like?
For me, I live authentically when I’m driven by fear, when I wear a mask or hide behind armor, when I’m afraid to be honest with myself and others, when I’m afraid to embrace who I am or speak the truth.
I live authentically when I am a chameleon, ready to change the color of my skin to match my background, change my personality, or ignore my values to be accepted or to feel wanted or safe.
Instead, I live authentically when I am able to stand my ground, stand in my power, stay aligned with my values, and be honest about who I am and what I believe.
As you can see, authenticity is vital when it comes to dating and relationships.
If we don’t show up as our true selves, if we pretend to be someone we’re not in order to gain the approval or love of another, we risk creating a false relationship.
This has a high cost.
Not only do we pay an internal price for being authentic – perhaps we feel anxious about hiding our truth or resentful of ourselves – we also pay an external price because untrustworthy relationships will, sooner or later, crumble and fall apart.
So as we begin this new year, here are some suggestions to help you get off to an authentic start.
Dive deep
Take some time at the beginning of this New Year to sit quietly with yourself and with God. Shut out all the noise, go inside and connect with your heart, soul and spirit. What is your inner voice saying? Where is it taking you? What choices do you feel are peaceful and in alignment with God’s will for your life? What values feel true to you? What are the priorities of your heart? You may want to write down your answers and refer back to them often.
Go at your own pace
There is so much pressure this time of year to make dramatic changes, commit to new habits, or set ambitious goals. But when we set goals from a place of panic or when we allow ourselves to be driven by fear – by the sense that time is running out and we must act quickly – we often go in the wrong direction. Take your time. Go at your own pace. Find that inner peace first. Try to cultivate a sense of flow and ease. God has your back.
Raise your self-esteem and self-esteem
When we act or speak authentically, it’s often because we don’t quite feel as we are. Sometimes, this message is a legacy from our childhood and the hurt runs deep. I would encourage you to explore any early life traumas that made you feel afraid to be true to yourself or fearful of showing up honestly in relationships. This project can be challenging, but it’s also a game changer.
As you heal your inner wounds, take time to build your self-worth and self-worth in external ways as well. Show up for yourself. Take good care of yourself. Treat yourself the same way you would treat a good friend. Do worthwhile things to build self-esteem. These are your strong foundations and will support you on your journey to healthy love.
Remember creativity and play
It’s important to do the deep work, but lightness is also vital. How can you bring more creativity and play into your life? As children, many of us were creative, imaginative and loved to play. As adults, creativity and play can lead us back to our authentic selves, to the people we were before we donned our armor or found other ways to defend ourselves from injury.
At the beginning of the year, why not harness your creativity or bring it back to life if it has gone to sleep? Create a vision board or collage of your most authentic 2024 by cutting out photos from magazines and pasting them together. Or you can create a similar collage online. Or write your life story for this year, imagining yourself as a hero, overcoming obstacles and marching confidently towards your dreams.
Are there other steps that would help you live more authentically this year?
Remember, authenticity, although scary at times, is the path to true freedom and creating a wholehearted, fulfilling life. So dig deep, lean on God and get all the support you need to face your fears and thrive in 2024.
How do you plan to be true to yourself and live authentically this year?
Did you enjoy reading Being True to You: How to Live Authentically in 2024? Read more from Katherine Baldwin here
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