A few years ago, I was not living life authentically. There were days I could hardly get dressed due to depression caused by living an unhappy life. Then, with some deep soul-searching and a few tears, I broke through my fears and became my authentic self. I had not been living life on my terms, and I decided it was time to make a significant life change. That decision led me to the happiness I currently enjoy today.

The big question is, what does it mean to live life authentically? I believe it's living life on our terms with no worry of judgment, being confident in what we do and who we are—taking ownership of all aspects of our lives, and being true to ourselves by living our truth. I believe we are authentically here on earth to enhance our uniqueness, not mask it with someone else's idea of who we should be.

How can we manifest authenticity in our lives? What steps can we take to break free of society's idea of who we should be? Following these six suggestions and building on them as you become more authentic in your everyday life is a great place to begin.

1. Let Go Of Things You Cannot Control

You cannot control someone else's behavior or feelings, but you can control your reactions, thoughts, and emotions toward them. So, take ownership of your reactions. Realizing you have absolute control over one person, YOU is a freeing and empowering practice.

2. Advocate For Yourself

This is a very self-empowering step—question everything. You can express your concerns and feelings, especially about your health and emotional well-being. Hand-in-hand with this, you have the right to be heard. You are just as important and valuable as the person you speak to.

Be sure to listen to your inner voice. Doubt created by others' opinions will cause you to fumble. Believe in what comes up for you. Everyone has an unmistakable intuition, and by listening to your thoughts and acting on them rather than the masses, you will begin to find more joy in your life.

3. Communicate Your Wants And Needs Clearly And Effectively

No one is a mind reader. Sometimes, you may think, "Well, they should have known." Most people are not inconsiderate; they honestly may not have known what you wanted or needed from them. Many conflicts can be avoided when you clearly explain your expectations to others by speaking to them.

4. Don't Assume

This is in conjunction with communication. Ask if you're unsure about something. Don't expect a certain response based on the assumption of the past, present, or how well you know someone. Be courteous and ask. As the saying goes, the only wrong question is the one not asked. If you never ask, you'll never know. This will alleviate stress for both parties involved.

5. Take Ownership Of Your Life

Make no excuses for yourself as to why or what you choose to do or not do with your life. You do not owe anyone an explanation or details. Not making excuses to please others is a healthy boundary you can set for yourself. It lets others know: this is how I feel, this is what I want, and please respect my decision. People know when you're not being authentic with them. Most people will appreciate your honesty rather than an elaborate excuse.

6. Be Honest With Yourself

There's no better way to be more authentic with yourself than being honest with yourself. Be honest with yourself about how you feel, about who you are, about what serves you best, and about what in your life may need to change to live more authentically. If you can be honest with yourself, you can become who you are truly meant to be. Then, all things around you will change.

Step into your truth today and release years of stress, guilt, and shame. Contact me to learn more about how you can live a more joyful life.

#healthylivingwithbarbara #beauthenticallyyou #itsyourtimetoshine #sayyestosayingno #liveyourtruth #letgo #liveforyou #youareworthit #stress #judgement #lettinggoofjudgement