Being your authentic self in a hyperconnected world

Why is it so difficult to feel authentic – and why is it even important?

Each day, uncertainty coupled with confusion seems to reach deeper into our being, as the world we inhabit becomes more multifaceted and fragmented.¹ Where previously we could collectively rely on stable and unitary structures like family, religion, school, and our local community to inform us, today these systems are plagued by misinformation that fractures not only our understanding but our trust in them. As our lives become even more interconnected, it's impossible to identify one specific place to lay the foundation for building our identity. 

These blurry lines make the pursuit of our authentic selves more difficult. But no matter how elusive this may feel, it is still essential for our own sake that we strive to do so. Feeling inauthentic has been proven to make us also feel increasingly dissatisfied and anxious. On the flip side, embracing our authentic selves is shown to improve our overall well-being and benefit other psychometric markers like growth mindset and self-empowerment.²

Of course, to truly be authentic, we must answer the question: what even is our “authentic self?” It can be difficult to define exactly what authenticity is, because personalities are far from singular, and multiple things can be true for a single person who is constantly evolving. It is, for example, possible for a professed humanitarian to occasionally grapple with hateful thoughts towards fellow humans or to react unfairly under compromising circumstances (perhaps a poor night's rest). Another hypothetical contradiction is a sworn introvert seeking companionship, or conversely, an outspoken extrovert sometimes just wanting to be alone. The value of living and functioning more authentically is that we become more aware of the multifaceted features that make us up and are then able to integrate them into a cohesive self-structure.³

As a psychological state, authenticity is defined as a feeling people have when their behavior and experience are consistent with what they believe is their “true self” at any given moment.⁴ It is more of a subjective approach as opposed to an objective evaluation of who one truly is.⁵ Essentially, authenticity can be understood as the degree to which one is true to their own personality, spirit, or character, despite external pressures. Think of it as a powerful force that preserves our individual identity as we navigate our way through the world.

Living an authentic life is paramount to personal happiness and fulfillment. Remember that authentic individuals tend to experience a higher sense of well-being, exhibit a growth mindset, and feel a sense of empowerment in their lives. This, in turn, fosters resilience, creativity, and deeper relationships with others. In contrast, a lack of authenticity can lead to feelings of disconnection, dissatisfaction, and even mental health challenges.⁴

Our varying personal and professional lives each call upon different elements of our identities. In particular, our digital self, which we curate to attract validation by conforming to what we perceive to be online ideals, often clashes with the more nuanced elements of our identity.⁶ This dissonance leads us to feel inauthentic, as we struggle to reconcile varied facets of our self-concept. Overcoming this dissonance requires us to find a balance between the integration of these roles that feels genuine and true to our core values.