If You Can't Stand These 7 Activities (Often Enjoyed by Others), You're More Authentic Than Average

If You Can't Stand These 7 Activities (Often Enjoyed by Others), You're More Authentic Than Average

It can be challenging to gain the perspective needed to recognize our own authenticity, but our interest (or lack thereof) in certain activities might reveal more than we realize.

Few people boast about being genuine and authentic (outside of reality TV personalities). And for good reason; surprisingly, claiming one's authenticity tends to give the opposite impression. A person who makes such a declaration about themselves might actually raise suspicions. Beyond our perception of others, we sometimes struggle to ensure our depth and alignment with ourselves. However, certain activities could help us distinguish between genuinely authentic individuals and those who indulge in facades.

The Personality of Deep and Authentic People

Since authenticity is also a term used to describe objects, we tend to associate this idea with what is real. Being authentic could mean being true, honest, never cheating, not pretending. Yet, it’s a bit more complicated than that.

Authenticity involves acting in accordance with your true self, and being authentic means behaving in alignment with your values, beliefs, motivations, and personality, defines neuropsychologist Theo Tsaousides for Psychology Today.

Contrary to what one might think, we can be dishonest while still being authentic. For example, laughing at a joke that isn’t funny may seem dishonest but is deeply authentic. “If you pretend to laugh at my not-funny joke, you are making a choice based on your values (being kind rather than honest), your beliefs (telling me the truth might hurt me), and your intentions (establishing a connection). You are authentic,” he asserts.

In other words, being authentic means having an inner philosophy, a code of conduct that you firmly believe in while remaining open-minded.

Activities That Bore Authentic People

If you still find it difficult to label yourself as authentic (in your mind, not to others), your favorite activities might help you better understand yourself.

For instance, if you freely express your opinions, know how to say no, assert your feelings, or are constantly seeking to learn new things, you demonstrate more authenticity than average, according to Aura De Los Santos, a clinical psychologist, and Alison McKleroy, a therapist, interviewed by Parade.

Conversely, activities enjoyed by most people might represent a true ordeal for the most authentic among us. If you dislike the following activities, you might be on the path to authenticity according to several studies cited by YourTango:

• Small talk and meaningless chatter.
• Facades on social media.
• Gossiping.
• Toxic positivity.
• Compulsive shopping.
• Performative activism.
• Networking.