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Authenticity is a paradox.
On one hand you might want to be authentic so you start thinking about what authenticity is and how you can use it for yourself.
The other hand, by thinking about how to be more authentic, you have already not become authentic.
Because authentic is being who you are and not trying to be something you’re not, by trying to become more authentic, you are really trying to be someone else and you aren’t being yourself.
It’s a paradox that ends up with people becoming so exhausted that they feel lost or they give up completely and don’t even try. So, if authenticity is impossible, should I even try?
I think the answer is in my theater class my junior year of high school.
In that year, we had many modules containing movement, improvisation, and masks. During the masks lesson, we ourselves had to put on our masks and become whatever felt most natural. At many times we would be asked to embody an emotion, animal, or move to some music how we felt we should.
The mask part was so that we would have a form of authenticity.
Masks have been used in theater since ancient Grecian times. They were mostly used to give a sense of dread to the audience and enabled actors to play many characters since audiences couldn’t pinpoint the face of an actor with the character. The way we use masks today is either literal, with using them to cover our face, or symbolical, where we use them to make a point about people hiding.
In my theater class, it was both literal and symbolical. When we used the masks we had to make sure that we didn’t do anything to harm anyone else but still stay true to our feelings and first time thoughts. Before we put on the masks, we had to make sure we were ready, then we would put the masks on. My teacher always made sure we were as comfortable as possible.
When I put the mask on I had to really trust my instincts. For me to put on the mask I had to take off my glasses causing me to not be able to see clearly. I then would do as told, following my instincts without knowing who else was around me at what time.
I remember that one time she told us to embody fear. My first instinct was to cower and hide. I got under a table and curled up in a ball. Another classmate started running around the room then ran out the door when running around in circles wasn’t enough.
My teacher immediately told us to take off the masks. She then sent another student to go get him. Apparently, he felt so much fear that he felt like he needed to run far away and didn’t stop until he almost left the school. He then took of the mask and calmed himself down.
The story relates to authenticity because there are many times we put on a “mask”. We put one on when we are with friends, one when we are with parents, and one when we are working. If we didn’t have these masks it would be hard for us to be controlled in our environment. If we put on a different type of mask, it can make it harder for us to be ourselves.
When you use social media, do you use it and stay yourself in the process or do you try to be someone else, someone that you think others will want to see, a type of person whom others will love. Do you show who you truly are?
When you look at others social media pages, do you see if they are being themselves? Sure, it’s nice to see that your friend from high school has been going to the gym daily and eats a perfect diet, but are they just posting for likes? Are you?
How can you be authentic and take off this mask?
In that theater class we weren’t taught to put on a mask. We were being taught to bring out the mask that is sitting underneath us.
The trick to authenticity isn’t being authentic. It’s a paradox. Instead, focus on not being inauthentic.
It’s as simple as that! BE YOURSELF!
There is many times when I have wanted to be someone else. That I have wanted to be as hardworking, as confident, as amazing as someone else. I’m not that person. Yes, I can try to work to be those thing, but I need to do that as myself, not as Jane, or John, or anyone else. Just as me.
So that’s how you be authentic. “Be yourself, because everyone else is already taken.”
Thanks so much for reading my post. Read my last post on authenticity here. Also, you can follow my Instagram or Twitter. Please comment below on advice you can give others on how to be themselves more. Next week is our interview for the month, so get ready for that! See ya!