For most of my life, I was searching for freedom. I thought it would come from achieving certain milestones, gaining independence, or hitting external markers of success. But the more I chased those things, the more I realized that freedom wasn’t out there—it was inside me all along. True freedom, I’ve discovered, comes from fully expressing myself as I am, without apologies or explanations. It’s the kind of freedom you can only find when you stop trying to be what you think the world wants you to be.
When I was younger, I wore so many facades. I’d shift my personality depending on who I was with or what situation I was in. I thought this was the way to fit in, to be liked, to be “enough.” But in hindsight, it was exhausting. Each facade felt like a mask that slowly chipped away at my true self. I don’t blame my younger self—I was just trying to navigate the world the best way I knew how. But the older me is learning that there’s nothing more liberating than letting those masks fall away.
One of the most freeing parts of embracing authenticity has been deciding to stop hiding parts of myself, even the ones that might make others uncomfortable. For example, I no longer shy away from sharing that I use cannabis. For me, it’s not just a tool for relaxation or creativity—it’s a part of my lifestyle that I’ve thoughtfully chosen and feel no shame about. Admitting this openly can be scary at first because of the judgment it can carry, but I’ve found that owning all parts of myself, even the ones society still stigmatizes, is what makes me feel truly whole. If I can’t accept myself, how can I expect others to?
Knowing yourself is a process, isn’t it? It doesn’t happen all at once. You start small, with little realizations—what you truly enjoy, what you’re willing to tolerate, and what makes you light up inside. And as those pieces come together, the thought of hiding them starts to feel… unnecessary. It’s as if your true self whispers, “I’m here, and I’m enough,” and for the first time, you believe it.
The beautiful part is that when you stop caring so much about what others think, you attract the people who truly resonate with you. Relationships deepen, connections feel more real, and you realize that life is too short for anything else.
That’s not to say that being authentic is easy. It takes courage to be vulnerable, to show up as you are, flaws and all. Sometimes people won’t like what they see—and that’s okay. Authenticity isn’t about being liked by everyone; it’s about liking yourself enough to show up anyway.
What I’ve learned is this: authenticity is freedom. Freedom from pretending, from people-pleasing, from constantly second-guessing yourself. It’s the freedom to say, “This is who I am,” and let that be enough.
But I’m curious—what’s your experience been like? Have you felt the pull toward authenticity as you’ve grown older? Or are you still navigating that path, shedding the masks one by one?
Let’s start a conversation. How do you embrace authenticity in your life? What challenges have you faced along the way? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment
