Having the audacity to be yourself is the secret sauce for the life you want to live. It takes courage to walk the way you want, whether you’re in public or in private. It’s a great accomplishment to show up the same at work as you would around your people.
The unfortunate truth: It’s hard to show up as your true self. If it weren’t everyone would do it.
Because the words and actions of some people lead you to feel inferior which leads to self-doubt and makes you lack confidence in yourself. Even though those persons may not demeaning you intentionally, it does affect you. You find it difficult to know if you are doing the right thing or not messing everything up.
What if I told you that you can overcome this inferiority and live the life you always wanted? You can express yourself, speak your mind and live your life as it best suits you. It is easy to achieve all these objectives by learning how to be your authentic self.
What is the Audacity To Be You?
Audacity is about taking bold risks. We have been taught to conform and fall in line so often that the seemingly simple act of being yourself is radical, bold, and audacious. Having the audacity to be yourself is a major step towards living the rich, full, and meaningful life you desire.
With so many external messages about how we “should” look or feel, it can be easy to feel inferior or to lack confidence in yourself. Although some of these messages are not intentional, they are greatly affecting how you view yourself. They make it difficult to know if you are making choices based on your desires or those of another.
You can overcome this uncertainty and live the life of your choosing.
Keep reading for some tips on how to embrace the audacity to be your authentic self.
How to be your authentic self
Love yourself
Give yourself permission to succeed, exist, and fail. Take off the distraction around you and work on loving yourself. The most popular source of distraction to everyone is social media platforms.
It would be best if you renewed your mindset concerning things you see on social media. Social media platforms are wonderful places online where you meet different people. But some of these people are not living their real life.
Most of these social media users edit their pictures to look glossy and attractive. Most of them are living a life that is not true. Therefore, focus on your lifestyle and accept yourself the way you are.
Prepare yourself
We’ll be honest, not everyone will understand your authentic self and that’s OK. Your ministry is yours and they did not receive the same calling. And some people may find it difficult to accept your identity the way it is. What’s important is to remember that their reaction is not solely about you. Even though it will feel that way. As people we seek familiarity and once you behave in a manner inconsistent with how someone expects you to behave THEIR anxiety increases and they must do whatever it takes to make themselves comfortable. As long as you remain respectful in your interactions you have every right to be different
Although revealing your true self might change your friendships. You can be your authentic self and still have wonderful people around you.
Express yourself
Be vulnerable with both yourself and others. Sharing your ideas or opinions when others are talking may seem difficult for you. But it is what you need to engage yourself with.
You can express your views on a topic or in conversations with friends or family without feeling inferior. All you need to do is to be calm and listen to others before saying your thoughts. It will help you study the weaknesses and strengths of the topics. It will also make your advice valid.
Think positively about yourself
Self-compassion is your greatest ally. By now you’ve had someone encourage you to give yourself grace. When last did you look into the mirror and see how beautiful you are? Do you ever honor your experience and appreciate yourself? These are part of the things you need to do.
Most people give in to the habit of negative thoughts; they believe the stories their mind tells them and do little to challenge their thoughts. They feel inferior to take some action, believing that they are not strong enough to take some actions. All these kinds of thoughts will only overcome your true self.
Therefore, stand up and do things that are beneficial to you and your environment. Look into the mirror, smile at the person you are seeing, and say to yourself that “you are great.” Positive thinking will help you be your authentic self.
Prepare yourself
We’ll be honest, not everyone will understand your authentic self and that’s OK. Your ministry is yours and they did not receive the same calling. And some people may find it difficult to accept your identity the way it is. What’s important is to remember that their reaction is not solely about you. Even though it will feel that way. As people we seek familiarity and once you behave in a manner inconsistent with how someone expects you to behave THEIR anxiety increases and they must do whatever it takes to make themselves comfortable. As long as you remain respectful in your interactions you have every right to be different
Although revealing your true self might change your friendships. You can be your authentic self and still have wonderful people around you.
Wrap up
These four steps will help you live your real life and overcome self-doubt. Do not forget that loving yourself is essential, which will give you the courage to take other steps. Living your authentic life helps in keeping your physical and mental health in peak condition. After giving them a try you may find that you need support to help you accomplish one or more of the steps. Before you beat yourself up, I want to assure you, as a Black female therapist, that this is natural and makes complete sense.
Let us help you become a more authentic version of yourself.
At Simplicity Psychotherapy we help you to trust your instincts and break free of the cultural and social expectations that have held you back from yourself. Too often we shrink ourselves because of the expectations that others have set for us. It’s time you break free of external pressure and Have the Audacity to Be You.
Be Your Authentic Self With Support from a Black Female Therapist in Atlanta, GA
Having the drive to be your authentic self is not easy but it is possible. If you are ready to be your authentic self but you feel stuck then therapy can help. If you are ready to get support at our Atlanta-based therapy practice then follow these steps:
- Reach out for a free consultation
- Schedule your first appointment with a Black female therapist
- Fully embrace who you are
Types of Therapy We Offer in Atlanta, GA
At Simplicity Psychotherapy, we offer a variety of counseling services both in person and online. For individuals, we offer support for anxiety, depression, and trauma. While for support for relationships we provide premarital counseling, couples therapy & marriage counseling. Additionally, our Atlanta therapists offer affirming and understanding therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community, Black women, and Black men.
The material provided in this blog post was generated based on a combination of general professional knowledge about the subject matter discussed as well as common practices and recommendations in psychology and healthcare.
Note: While the information above is intended to provide insight as you begin your journey they are not intended to replace the guidance of a trained professional. Exploring these concerns in the presence of a licensed counselor or other licensed professional may provide deeper insight and assist in managing more multifaceted concerns that may arise.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Rayvéne Whatley, a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. I’m passionate about empowering people, especially Black men and women, to remove the mask of other people’s expectations and step into their authentic selves.
Much of my work focuses on addressing the impact of racial trauma on mental health. The intersection of identity, systemic stressors, and societal expectations can create layers of anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional pain. I help clients navigate these experiences by reexamining beliefs that no longer align with their goals and replacing them with ones that support their desires and values.
Through my writing, I aim to share insights and resources to help you better understand the connection between racial trauma and mental well-being, while offering tools to reclaim your peace and balance.
Whether you’re here for guidance, validation, or inspiration, I’m glad you’ve found this space.Healing isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it—and you don’t have to do it alone.
