Why Authenticity Isn’t Always What It Seems?
“Be yourself.” It’s advice that sounds liberating at first. It’s supposed to empower you to embrace your individuality. But like most simple advice, it has a dark side. “Be yourself” often implies there’s one “true” version of you that needs to be discovered and displayed. But life isn’t that straightforward, and neither are we. This idea can become a prison if we cling to it too tightly.
When people say “be yourself,” they imply there’s a fixed identity you must uncover. But what if this is just a comforting myth? Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “Become who you are.” This phrase suggests that who you are is not a fixed point but something that is constantly evolving. We are not static beings. We are shaped by our experiences, choices, and the ever-changing nature of life.
In a world where everyone is encouraged to “be authentic,” authenticity can become just another performance. On social media, people share their “real” moments to get likes, validation, or even fame. This creates a paradox: in trying to be genuine, we can end up curating our authenticity to fit what others expect of us.