Live Authentically: Aligning Actions with Values
You know that feeling when you’re pretending to be someone you’re not? Yeah, like whenever you’re at work, with family, or even by yourself at 3 a.m., staring at the ceiling? That’s what happens when you’re living out of sync with who you really are. We live in a world that constantly asks us to wear masks—to be something we’re not. We often feel pressured to live a split life, showing one version of ourselves while hiding the rest.
For the creative souls out there, you get hit with a double whammy. On one hand, you want to be original and inspired, and on the other, society’s telling you to tone it down and “fit in” like a good little drone. Spoiler alert: that’s total crap. Authenticity isn’t about choosing between creativity and conformity; it’s about smashing all that together and just being who you are—unapologetically.
The Mask We Wear is Heavy, and Frankly, It’s Ugly
Here’s the deal: wearing a mask every day is like carrying around a dead weight. We start off thinking we can manage it—after all, everyone else seems to be doing it, right? But over time, this mask chips away at our true selves. It creates a disconnect between who we are and how we present ourselves to the world. Soon enough, you don’t even recognize the person in the mirror—because you’re too busy pretending to be someone else.
So, let’s be clear. Masks? They suck. You’ll get exhausted, lose your sense of self, and end up feeling lonelier than you did when you started. The more you try to fit in, the more you’re left standing on the outside and the less you actually belong. Authenticity is about ditching the mask and being willing to show up exactly as you are—messy, flawed, and proudly marching to your own funky beat.
Why Values Matter
Look, “live your truth” sounds nice, but it’s not just a Pinterest quote. Authenticity isn’t only about stripping away the false layers. It’s also about grounding yourself in your values. Your values are the compass that guides you in everything you do—your relationships, your work, your creativity. When your actions align with your values, life flows. When they don’t, you feel out of sync, like you’re constantly swimming upstream.
Take a moment to think about your core values. Do they guide your daily actions? Or are you constantly compromising them to fit into spaces that weren’t made for you? If your life feels like you’re wading through quicksand, chances are you’re way out of sync. Living authentically means recognizing where your values and actions are out of alignment and having the courage to make adjustments, even when it’s uncomfortable.
The Courage to Be Vulnerable
Authenticity requires vulnerability, and let’s be real—vulnerability can feel like a punch in the gut. You feel exposed, raw, like you’re walking around in your underwear while everyone else is fully dressed. But here’s the kicker: vulnerability is exactly what makes you relatable. When you stop hiding behind the mask and allow yourself to be seen, you create space for deeper connections. It’s the raw, unfiltered version of you that people will resonate with, not the curated, filtered persona.
Brené Brown talks a lot about vulnerability as a strength, and she’s spot-on. When you show up with all your flaws, quirks, and embarrassing stories, you become magnetic. People trust you more because they sense your honesty. Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s the superpower you didn’t know you had. It’s the key to true authenticity because it allows you to be seen for who you are, not who you think you’re supposed to be.
Dismantling the Split Life
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been living some version of a split life. The “real you” is buried under layers of what you think you should be. But hey, the good news is you don’t have to keep doing that.
Start by owning your shit. Take an honest look at where you’re masking parts of yourself to fit into the boxes that were never meant for you. The next step is to start aligning your actions with your values, even in the smallest ways. Set boundaries like your sanity depends on it (because it does). That might mean saying no to projects that don’t resonate with your heart or setting boundaries in relationships that feel draining.
There’s no quick fix to dismantling the split life, but each step you take toward living in alignment with your true self is a step toward freedom.
Owning Your Power
Living authentically also means reclaiming your power. Society loves to tell creatives to tone it down, stay in their lane, and fit into their nice little boxes. But screw that. Your power lies in your authenticity, in all the unique things that make you stand out, not blend in. When you start living authentically, you stop giving away your most valuable asset—your true self. You don’t need to conform to anyone’s expectations to succeed. In fact, the less you do that, the better off you’ll be.
And don’t get it twisted—this isn’t about steamrolling over others or becoming a self-centered jerk. It’s about standing tall in who you are, quirks, flaws, and all, and refusing to let anyone or anything dim your light. When you live authentically, you naturally attract the right people, opportunities, and experiences because they are aligned with your true self.
Stop Playing Small
Too often, creative souls play small because they’ve internalized the belief that they need to fit in to be accepted. But here’s the truth: fitting in is the enemy of authenticity. You weren’t born to blend in; you were born to stand out. It’s time to stop playing it safe and start living fully as the badass you are.
When you align your actions with your values, you start living a life that feels expansive, not restricted. You stop chasing external validation because you realize that true fulfillment comes from within. You start showing up in the world as the full expression of who you are, not a watered-down version of yourself. And you start attracting what’s actually meant for you, not what you think you should want.
Living Authentically: It's Not a Journey, It’s a Daily Practice
Let’s cut the fluffy “life is a journey” crap. Living authentically isn’t some mythical quest where you’re trekking through the mountains to find yourself. It's not a damn pilgrimage. It’s a practice—like brushing your teeth or working out, except instead of flossing, you’re working on your honesty muscles. Every. Single. Day.
Authenticity isn’t something you "arrive at" one day like a wise old monk. Nope, it’s about making choices, over and over again, that align with who you are. And some days, you’re going to mess it up—big time. You’ll find yourself slipping back into old habits of people-pleasing, hiding parts of yourself, or saying “yes” when you really want to scream “HELL NO.”
But here’s the kicker: that’s part of the practice. It's not about getting it perfect every time. The trick is to catch yourself, hit reset, and keep going. Authenticity isn’t a destination—it’s a practice. You’re never going to be perfect at it, and that’s okay. Just keep showing up, doing the work, and little by little, it will feel more natural.
Tool: The “Bullshit Filter” for Daily Authenticity
Let’s keep it simple. Here’s a tool to help you practice authenticity every single day: The Bullshit Filter—your internal compass for aligning decisions with your values and what truly feels right for you. Authenticity isn't just about showing up as yourself, it’s about making choices that are in tune with what matters most to you, not what’s expected or what feels safe. It’s a no-nonsense approach to cutting through the noise and tuning into your values.
Here’s how it works:
Pause and Check In
Before making any decision—whether it’s big (like taking a new job) or small (like whether to hang out with a friend when you’d rather be alone)—stop and ask yourself:
Does this align with my values?
Think about it: Does what you’re about to say, do, or agree to line up with what you believe in? Or are you about to go along with something that deep down doesn’t feel right for you? If it’s the latter, your Bullshit Filter should start buzzing.Gut-Check Your Values
Tune into your gut. You know that feeling when something just clicks or, on the flip side, when something feels off? That’s your body telling you whether or not you’re about to honor your values. If a choice feels heavy, tense, or full of dread, that’s a sign it’s probably out of sync with who you are and what matters to you. On the flip side, if it feels lighter, freeing, or like relief, you’re likely on track.Ask Yourself: Is This What I Want or What They Expect?
Now comes the key question: Am I doing this because it feels right for me, or because it’s what others expect of me?
Often, the choices we make aren’t rooted in our values—they’re rooted in the fear of disappointing others, or the pressure to conform. Authenticity means rejecting the urge to please others at the expense of yourself. When the Bullshit Filter kicks in, it helps you sift through societal or external pressures and get back to what you really want.Align the Action with Your Values
Once you’ve clarified that this choice feels right for you, it’s time to act. Take the step that honors your values, even if it means saying no, setting a boundary, or doing something outside the norm. For example, if your core value is creativity, then taking on a mundane project just to please your boss is going to feel out of alignment. Make the choice that feeds your creative energy instead.Reflect and Adjust
After you’ve made your decision, take a moment to reflect: Did this choice honor my values? If it did, great—you’re living authentically. If it didn’t, that’s okay too. It’s all part of the practice. Authenticity is about learning as you go, so adjust, recalibrate, and keep refining how you align your actions with your values moving forward.
The Bullshit Filter helps you stay true to your core, to the values that guide you, and ensures that your decisions—big or small—are rooted in what feels right for you, not what someone else expects or demands. It’s about living in a way that’s consistent with who you are at your core, rather than the image you’ve felt pressured to maintain.
So next time you’re faced with a decision, don’t just make it because it’s convenient or expected—run it through your Bullshit Filter and make sure it’s the authentic choice. The more you practice this, the closer you’ll stay to your true self and the more aligned your life will feel.
Final Thoughts: Be Your Own Compass
At the end of the day, living authentically isn’t about following anyone else’s map—it’s about being your own compass. It’s about trusting yourself enough to live in alignment with your values, even when it feels scary or makes other people uncomfortable. It’s about having the courage to show up fully, no matter what the world expects of you.
Creative souls, listen up: you don’t have to live a split life. You don’t have to wear a mask. The world doesn’t need another carbon copy—it needs you. Your authenticity, your unique voice, your creativity, your truth. When you live authentically, you give others permission to do the same.
Want to own your shit?
Own your power?
Own your future?
It starts with living true to you—and letting the rest of the world catch up.