12 Meaningful Ways To Be True To Yourself

You know the saying, “be true to yourself”?

It’s one of those things that sounds a lot easier than it actually is. In fact, for a lot of people, it feels downright impossible.

Why is it so hard to be true to ourselves?

It seems like it should be the easiest thing in the world. After all, we know ourselves better than anyone else, so we should be able to just “be ourselves” without any problem.

Unfortunately, you may struggle to be true to yourself for several reasons. 

First, most of us have been taught from a young age that we must behave in certain ways to fit in and be accepted by others.

We learn what is considered “normal” and try our best to conform.

Second, we are constantly exposed to outside influences – the media, our friends and family, etc, which can cause us to doubt our own beliefs and opinions.

Finally, many people don’t know who they are or what they stand for. Instead, they change their opinions depending on who they are talking to or what situation they find themselves in.

However, even with all those reasons why it isn’t easy, you owe it to yourself to try to be as true to yourself as you can. Let’s look at why that’s the case.

Why Being True To Yourself Is Important

The most important reason you should be true to yourself is that it’s impossible to be happy if you’re not. You can fake it for a while, but eventually, the unhappiness will catch up with you.

Think about it: If you’re living your life trying to please other people and meet the expectations of others, you’re not going to do the things that make you happy. Instead, you’ll wind up living a life that isn’t really yours.

It’s not just about being happy, though. Being true to yourself is also important for your mental and physical health.

A 2019 study by the International Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research found that people who suppress their true feelings are more likely to suffer from physical ailments “ranging from common colds to cancer.”

This suppression is also linked to depression, feelings of anxiety, and other mental health struggles.

Due to all the physical and psychological implications, the study concludes that repressing emotions is “a barrier to good health.”

So, being true to yourself is important if you want to live a happy and healthy life.

The Importance of Being True To Yourself

Now that we know why it’s so important, let’s consider what it means to be true to yourself.

Being true to yourself means being honest about who you are, both the good and the bad.

It means accepting yourself for who you are, not who you think you should be.

It also means living in accordance with your values and beliefs, even if they are different from the majority.

Signs you are true to yourself:

• You’re comfortable in your own skin.
• You don’t put on a persona or “act” around others.
• You know your strengths and weaknesses and accept them both.
• You’re confident in your own values and beliefs, even if they differ from others.
• You recognize toxic people and situations and know when to walk away.
• You’re not afraid to be alone or do things by yourself.

If you’re not quite there yet, don’t worry. It’s never too late to start working on being more true to yourself.

How To Be True To Yourself: 12 Meaningful Ways

What does it mean to be true to yourself? To help you live your best life, here are 12 things you can do to be more true to yourself.

1. Stand Up For What You Believe In

One of the best ways to be your genuine self is to stand up for what you believe in, even if it goes against the grain.

This can be difficult, especially if you’re surrounded by people who don’t share your beliefs.

However, staying true to what you believe in is important, even if it means being different from others.

2. Focus On Your Core Values 

Your core values are the things that matter most to you. They’re what make you who you are.

These personal values should guide your actions and decision-making. So, if you want to be true to yourself, you need to know your core values.

Here are a few examples: 

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Compassion
• Fairness
• Loyalty 
• Inclusive

However, these values are different for everyone, so it’s important to do some soul-searching to determine what yours are.

After you’ve discovered your values, stick to them. Live in a way that aligns with those values, even when it’s difficult.

For example, if one of your core values is honesty, you should always be truthful, even when it would be easier to fib.

3. Follow Your Heart

When making decisions, it’s important to follow your heart.

This means following your own dreams and making choices based on what you want or what feels right to you instead of what others want or what seems like the logical choice.

As Steve Jobs once said:

“Follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” 

This can be difficult, especially if you’re used to making decisions based on what others want or what seems like the “right” thing to do.

However, to be true to yourself, you need to start following your heart.

4. Avoid Being A People-Pleaser

One of the quickest ways to lose sight of who you are is to become a people-pleaser. People-pleasers are always putting other people’s needs ahead of their own.

While there’s nothing wrong with helping others and being kind to them, you should never do so at the expense of your own happiness.

If you always say “yes” to others and “no” to yourself, it’s time to start making some changes. 

You should set boundaries so you can put your own needs first. In addition, give yourself permission to say “no” sometimes, even if it means disappointing someone else.

While you might initially experience some pushback, most people will eventually respect your decision. If they don’t, it’s a good indication that you’re in a potentially toxic relationship. 

5. Do What Makes You Happy

Your happiness is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Don’t let anyone else control your happiness, the total power to make yourself happy lies within you. 

Start by doing more of the things that make you happy.

For example: If you love spending time outdoors, find ways to incorporate more nature into your life. If you enjoy being around people, spend more time with good friends and your loved ones.

Unfortunately, sometimes it’s been so long since we’ve been happy that we don’t even know what makes us happy. If that’s the case, it might take some time to figure it out.

If you’re in that situation, start by doing little things that make you feel good. Put on a Happy Playlist. Grab a cup of tea while you journal. Try different things. 

Eventually, you’ll start to narrow down the activities that consistently make you happy. Then, do more of that. 

6. Take Care Of Your Own Needs First

What are you supposed to do if you’re on an airplane that’s crashing? 

Put your own oxygen mask on before you help anyone else.

That may seem selfish, but it’s actually the best thing you can do. You can’t take care of others if you’re not taking care of yourself first.

The same is true in life. To be there for others, you must take care of your needs first. So take care of yourself physically and mentally. 

Taking some alone time for self-care allows you to relax and recharge.

That way, you’ll have more energy and patience for the people in your life.

7. Live In The Present Moment

One of the best ways to be true to yourself is to live in the present moment. That means making the personal choice to fully engage in whatever you’re doing instead of letting your mind wander.

For example: If you’re spending time with your family, put away your phone and give them your full attention. If you’re at work, focus on the task at hand. 

Distractions are everywhere, so it takes effort to stay present. Yet, when you do, it’s worth it.

When you’re fully engaged in the moment, you’ll be more productive, and you’ll enjoy your life more.

8. Be Willing To Take Risks

To live as your authentic self, you must be willing to take risks. That means stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying new things.

It might be scary, but it’s also exciting. Most importantly, taking risks is essential for growth.

If you’re not willing to take risks, you’ll never know what you’re capable of. You’ll never experience the joy of doing something you love.

You might not even realize your full potential.

So, if you’re feeling stuck, take a risk and see what happens. The worst thing is that you’ll end up right back where you started.

9. Don’t Worry About What Other People Think

One of the quickest ways to lose your sense of self is to start caring too much about what other people think.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to do. We live in a society that spends a lot of time on appearances and searching for likes online. 

As a result, you might start to value others’ opinions more than your own. You may even try to be someone you’re not just to fit in.

That’s not to say that you should ignore the people in your life. It’s important to listen to feedback and consider others’ thoughts. Just don’t let the opinions of others control your life. 

At the end of the day, you’re the only one who knows what’s best for you. So be the kind of person you’d like to hang out with, and don’t worry so much about what others think. 

10. Let Go Of The Past

The past is in the past for a reason. It’s over, and no amount of dwelling on it will change what happened.

If you’re still hanging onto hurtful memories or regrets, it’s time to let them go. Forgive yourself, forgive others, and move on.

You can’t change the past, but you can control the present and the future. So, focus on the here and now to make the most of the rest of your life. 

11. Don’t Compare Yourself To Others

In a world filled with social media and constant comparisons, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are. It’s easy to start comparing yourself to others and wondering why you don’t measure up.

Here’s the thing: you are the only you there is. You are unique and special, and no one else is like you in the entire world. 

So, instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on being the best version of yourself that you can be.

Also, remember that comparison only makes you feel bad about yourself. It doesn’t do anything to improve your life.

12. Listen To Your Inner Voice

Call it a gut feeling, intuition, or whatever you want. Everyone has an inner voice, and it’s there for a reason.

Your inner voice is there to guide you. It’s a warning sign when you’re headed in the wrong direction.

That’s because it knows what’s best for you, even when your logical mind doesn’t. So, the next time you’re feeling lost or uncertain, listen to your inner voice.

It will help you choose the right thing.

Final Thoughts

Living an authentic life can be hard, but it’s worth it. You’ll be happier and more fulfilled when you’re true to yourself and living on your own terms.

You’ll also be better able to deal with the challenges life throws your way. 

If you’re not sure how to be true to yourself, start with the 12 steps above. They’ll help you get on the right track.

However, please don’t feel you must do them all at once. Instead, take small steps and focus on one thing at a time.

Before you know it, you’ll be living an authentic life that feels right for you.

What little steps do you want to take to be your true self?

Share in the comments below to inspire others.

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• How To Be Content With What You Have: 12 Tips

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