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I chose Dani Authentic for my blog and matching Instagram because while “Authentic” isn’t my last name, it is a daily reminder of my promise to live authentically and show up for myself.
What does Authentic even mean?
au·then·tic
What does it mean to be authentic? I know it sounds simple, but trust me, many people get it wrong. First, let’s define Authenticity.
Merriam-Webster’s definition: “worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact.”
Wikipedia’s definition: “Authenticity is a concept in psychology, existential psychiatry, existentialist philosophy, and aesthetics. In existentialism, authenticity is the degree to which a person’s actions are congruent with their beliefs and desires, despite external pressures to conformity.”
Oxford’s definition: “of undisputed origin; genuine.”
Do you see the theme? Being authentic is centered around a few keywords and phrases: trustworthiness, being genuine, and uncorrupted.
So let’s circle back.
Authenticity is acting in a way that honors your true self. You express your whole self genuinely rather than showing people an altered version of yourself. To succeed in authenticity, you must first know who your true self is.
So Why Dani Authentic?
I define being authentic as being without pretense, and staying as true to myself as possible without the need to filter, edit, conform or shrink. Being authentic is living, thinking, and acting in a way that reflects my belief that my choices, my body, and my actions are still worthy even if they don’t fit the norm or standard. I am “worthy of acceptance” even if the only acceptance I receive is from myself.Authenticity is a promise to work hard to not change who I am based on the expectation or the approval of others. It is learning how to be okay with not being understood or liked. It is embracing my origins by caring for my natural hair. Making better beauty choices that enhance my face, not covering it with harmful chemicals. It is making life choices that honor my desire to show up as myself.
What Authenticity is Not
I believe an authentic person isn’t afraid to change their mind or feel the need to stick to one narrative. They are not concerned with being easily labeled. Real people live with their own best interests in mind.
I have given up the idea that I will be perfect in any part of my life, but I do strive to be intentional. It takes checking in with myself to stay in tune with my core values. It takes self-awareness to redirect myself when I make decisions or take actions that betray my beliefs in the hopes of people-pleasing or my desire to fit in.
Living your best life doesn’t mean putting on a show for everyone else. There are no filters in real life. What you see is what you get. And let’s be honest; pretending to be someone you’re not is exhausting
I’m not for mass consumption, I don’t live for likes on Instagram, and I’m okay with being misunderstood by others. I’m okay with being real because being real isn’t always pretty, and that’s okay. And if that makes you uncomfortable, you need to ask yourself why.
Authenticity is simple, but it’s not easy. In a world where Instagram likes determine your value, it can be challenging. However, when you learn to seek international validation, you will feed your soul.
