13 Ways To Be True To Yourself

While it’s easy to discuss the idea of being true to yourself, actually making that choice and sticking to it can be quite challenging. We’re often surrounded by influences that make it difficult to focus on what we truly want and believe.

It takes courage, but in reality, being yourself is far easier than pretending to be someone else. Since you’re here, it’s clear that you’re ready to make a change and live life on your own terms.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably at a breaking point. You’re tired of listening to what everyone else wants you to do, say, or be. For years, you’ve followed the ideas and opinions of others, even when they didn’t align with your own beliefs.

Naturally, this is tied to your self-esteem and fears—issues we all struggle with, so you’re not alone.

You might talk about the importance of being genuine, but let’s be honest, you’re not truly being authentic yourself. This perpetuates a cycle of inauthenticity that’s wearing you down, isn’t it?

Why continue wasting your time being untrue to yourself when you can learn how to embrace your true self?

# Stop Following the Crowd

Many of us avoid being true to ourselves because we crave acceptance. We're afraid that our opinions might push others away, and let’s face it, being disliked isn’t a pleasant feeling. So, we end up becoming people-pleasers.

If you want to be true to yourself, stop following the crowd and trying to please everyone else. Focus on loving and pleasing yourself, and others will follow suit.

# Start Saying "No"

It’s challenging to say "no" to people we care about and to establish healthy boundaries. We tend to say "yes" because we don’t want to let others down.

But constantly sacrificing your own needs doesn’t make you a hero; it just means you're neglecting self-love. You don’t have to say "no" with anger or bitterness—just be respectful and firm.

# Focus on Yourself

It’s easy to get caught up in other people’s dreams, goals, and agendas. But this is your life, and it shouldn’t be spent making sure others achieve their dreams. Take time to explore your own dreams, goals, and ambitions.

What do you want to achieve in your life? Set realistic, small goals that will help you reach your dreams.

# Cut Out Toxic People

Ah, the toxic ones. These are the people you always help, but who never support your goals or simply don't care about them. If you want to stay true to yourself, distance yourself from those who judge you.

You don’t need their negativity. Surround yourself with people who appreciate you for who you are.

# Get in Touch with Your Emotions

When you're not true to yourself, you disconnect from your emotions. You push down your real feelings to maintain a certain image, but it’s all a facade.

It’s time to get real with yourself. Bring those hidden emotions to the surface. Whatever you're feeling deep down, let it out. Now’s the time.

# Take Responsibility for Your Life

No one else put you in last place—you did that because of low self-esteem. But now it’s time to recognize that and work on it. No one can help you if you're not willing to help yourself.

So, take responsibility for your life and own it. The past is behind you; now it’s time to focus on your future.

# Embrace Who You Are

You can try to be someone else, but at the end of the day, it’s pointless. If you want to be true to yourself, you need to accept who you are. Without that acceptance, you'll never find happiness because you're living a lie.

So, let go of the idea that you should be like your favorite celebrity, and start living your own life.

# Remember Your Mortality

One day, your life will come to an end. Keep that in mind. Knowing this, how can you not chase your dreams and be true to yourself?

Live the life you want by embracing who you truly are.

# Recognize Your Strengths

You might think you need to be someone else because you don’t feel strong enough, but you are. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but we often focus too much on our weaknesses.

Identify your strengths and focus on them.

# Accept That You'll Make Mistakes

The truth is, you’re going to mess up along the way. There will be moments when you second-guess whether this path is right for you, but remember, it’s just a small bump in the road.

Do you think being genuine and honest is easy? It’s not. Many people struggle with it because they can’t be genuine and honest themselves.

# Be Gentle with Yourself

This isn’t a short-term change—it’s a process that will take years. Building self-esteem is a long-term project that you’ll continually work on. But in the end, it’s worth the effort.

In the meantime, don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ll experience ups and downs—that’s just part of life.

# Identify What Holds You Back

What’s stopping you from being yourself? Is it certain groups of people? Strangers? You need to identify the triggers that make you uncomfortable.

Once you know what they are, you can begin to examine what specific components are making you feel this way.

Break everything down and pinpoint exactly what’s blocking you from being yourself.

# Do You Really Know Who You Are?

But seriously, do you? If you can’t be yourself and struggle to relax, it might be because you don’t truly know who you are.

This means you need to take time to explore and try things you may not have considered before. Discovering yourself is the only way to truly know yourself. So, get out there and explore.