True Self, True Peace

The Journey to Authenticity: Learning to Be Your True Self

“This above all: to thine own self be true.” – William Shakespeare

Shakespeare may have penned those words centuries ago, but they remain as relevant today as ever. In a world full of expectations, filters and noise, being your true self can feel like swimming upstream. For a long time, that was me - trying to fit into versions of myself that weren’t fully mine. My journey to authenticity wasn’t smooth or quick, but it was worth every step.

The Mask I Didn’t Know I Was Wearing

For years, I lived according to what I thought others expected of me. I chose paths that seemed “right” on paper, said yes when I wanted to say no and shaped myself into what I thought was acceptable, successful or likable, but slowly, cracks began to show. I felt disconnected - from others, from my passions and most painfully, from myself. I wasn’t unhappy in a dramatic, movie-scene way. I was just unfulfilled. Like I was living someone else's life with my name on it.

The Turning Point

It wasn’t one big “aha!” moment that woke me up. It was a quiet series of realizations: the friendships that felt shallow, the work that drained me, the constant need for validation that never really satisfied. I started to ask hard questions:

• What parts of me am I hiding?

• Who am I trying to please?

• What do I truly want?

The answers weren’t always easy or comfortable. Some of them surprised me, some hurt, but they were mine and that was the beginning of something real.

Letting Go to Find Myself

One of the hardest parts of becoming your true self is shedding the layers that aren’t really you. They don’t know how many versions of me died so that this one could breathe... 

Each ending felt like a small funeral - saying goodbye to an identity, a habit, a belief I once clung to, but each time something fell away, I got closer to the person I was always meant to be.

Here are some obstacles I faced along the way:

• Fear of judgment: I worried what others would think if I changed direction or showed up differently. Spoiler: they survived. So did I!

• Imposter syndrome: I questioned whether the “real me” was good enough, but I learned that authenticity isn't about perfection; it's about alignment.

• Old narratives: I had to challenge beliefs I’d picked up over time - like “you have to hustle to be worthy” or “don’t rock the boat.” These were stories, not truths.

Through journaling, healing work, honest conversations and a lot of quiet reflection, I started to reconnect with who I really was and more importantly, who I wanted to be.

Becoming My True Self

Living authentically doesn’t mean I never doubt myself or face challenges, but now, I make decisions based on what feels aligned with my values, not what looks good from the outside. I speak more honestly, show up more fully and love more freely. The more I am me, the more at peace I feel and that’s the gift I want to offer you.

How You Can Start Your Own Journey to Authenticity

Here are some steps that helped me, and might help you too:

1. Get Quiet and Listen

Spend time with yourself - without distractions. Journaling, meditation or long walks can help you hear your inner voice again.

2. Identify What’s Not Working

Notice where you feel drained, resentful or fake. Those areas often point to misalignment.

3. Define Your Core Values

What really matters to you? Make decisions that honour those values, not just societal norms or outside pressure.

4. Practice Saying No

Every “no” to something false is a “yes” to something true. Start small, but be consistent.

5. Surround Yourself with Real Ones

Authenticity is contagious. Spend time with people who embrace you as you are and challenge you to grow.

6. Give Yourself Grace

You won’t get it right all the time. That’s okay. Growth is messy and non-linear. Keep going.

Final Thoughts

Being true to yourself isn't a destination - it's a daily practice. It takes courage to peel back the layers, to stop performing and to stand in your truth, but there is freedom, peace and power in living a life that’s fully your own.

So, wherever you are in your journey, remember: you don’t have to earn the right to be yourself. You already are enough. You already are worthy and just like Shakespeare said, to thine own self - be true.