The Gentle Drift Away From Our Authentic Selves

As we journey through life, especially as women over 40, there comes a moment in time when we look in the mirror and do not recognize the person staring back at us. We pause and ask ourselves, “How did I lose touch with who I am?”

The secret to this sense of loss lies in the subtle, gradual drift away from our authentic selves. This disconnection doesn’t happen overnight; instead, it quietly unfolds as we unconsciously conform to the expectations of others, societal norms, and the beliefs we’ve absorbed since childhood.

This gentle shift, though seemingly insignificant at first, eventually leads us further from the essence of who we truly are, leaving us with a deep yearning to reconnect with our authentic selves.

Over time, we begin to lose sight of our own inner voice, overshadowed by the many roles we play—daughter, aunt, mother, spouse/partner, professional, etc. In prioritizing these roles, our authentic self begins to fade, leaving us with a deep yearning for something more, a longing to reconnect with the essence of who we truly are.

Top 10 Ways We Gently Lose Our Authentic Selves

1. Putting Others’ Needs First: When we consistently place others’ needs before our own, we slowly lose touch with our desires and passions.
2. Adapting to Societal Expectations: In trying to fit in or live up to societal standards, we may suppress parts of ourselves that don’t align with these external expectations.
3. Ignoring Our Deepest Desires: We may quiet our true desires, fearing they’re too bold or selfish, and in doing so, distance ourselves from our true heart desires.
4. Identifying Too Strongly with Our Roles: The roles we play become our identity, and we forget that we are so much more than the titles we hold.
5. Fearing Judgment: The fear of being misunderstood or judged leads us to hide our true thoughts, feelings, and dreams.
6. Absorbing Limiting Beliefs: Over the years, we take on limiting beliefs that don’t serve us, shaping our actions and decisions in ways that aren’t aligned with our authentic selves.
7. Disconnecting from Our Inner Wisdom: We stop tuning in to the quiet voice within that knows our deepest truths and guides us toward our highest good.
8. Overcommitting Ourselves: We leave little space for self-reflection and nurturing our inner life by taking on too many responsibilities.
9. Avoiding Introspection: Without the gentle practice of looking within, we lose sight of our spiritual essence and what it truly needs.
10. Neglecting Self-Nurture: When we forget to nurture our minds, bodies, and spirits, we gradually lose the connection to our authentic selves.

A Path Back to Your Authentic Self

Reclaiming our true selves is a sacred journey—one that invites us to gently peel back the layers of societal conditioning, fear, and doubt that have clouded our authenticity. It’s a process of coming home to who we are at our core, of remembering our inherent worth and the unique essence we bring to this world.

Discover Your Authentic Self in Courageously Authentic

If you feel called to embark on this spiritual journey back to your authentic self, my book, Courageously Authentic: A Woman’s Guide to Transform Pain into Power, Fear into Courage & Dreams into Reality, offers a loving and supportive guide. With practical tools, spiritual practices, and profound insights, this book is designed to help you reconnect with your authentic self and live a life that reflects your deepest truths and desires. Let it empower you to become courageously authentic and show the world who you are at the core!

Embrace the journey of returning to your authentic self and living fearlessly authentic.