Is Authenticity A Lost Art?
The 80/20 Rule That Makes Up Your Personality
I am sooooo back.
I stepped away from the platform for two weeks to tune into my real life, and might I add: “Life has most definitely been Life-ING.” I don’t say that in a pessimistic, “cry me a river” type of way. I mean it in the way that forces you to PAUSE, REGROUP, and PIVOT. But now? We need to yap.
Someone once asked me: “If someone close to you were to describe your personality, would you agree with them?” My immediate response was “Yes.” I mean, my circle knows me. They see the vision. But that question made me ponder afterwards. It made me realize that even the people in your inner sanctum might not see every single layer you possess.
It made me realize that it is actually
no one’s responsibilityto truly “Know You.” At the end of the day, you have to make sure that you truly know you.
That’s where the art of authenticity comes in.
The 80/20 Rule Of Personality
What does it actually mean to be AUTHENTIC? To me, it’s the ability to “BE” without conforming to a space, a place, or the expectations of the room.
We have a habit of boxing ourselves in. We get stuck in our own “branding.” You might have moments where you say, “I’m just not feeling like myself today.” But who is “myself”?
Maybe that charismatic, witty, high energy woman is you 80% of the time. She’s the one giving “That Girlll” energy, the one with the quick comeback, the one who’s so polished she doesn’t even have to try. But what about the other 20%?
The version of you that:
Appreciates total solitude.
Enjoys sitting on the couch watching documentaries and eating ice cream.
Is the observer, not the main character.
Can sit in complete, uninterrupted silence and feel fully recharged.
That 20% is still you. She isn’t a “glitch” or a bad mood, she’s a layer.
Protect Her, Love Her, Embrace Her!!!!
Think back to that original question. Do your friends know that version of you? Or do you only let them see the 80%?
Being authentic isn’t about being perfect or performing. It’s about showing up as your layered, multidimensional self. The world puts this weird, false pressure on us to be a 24/7 highlight reel. But sometimes, the most authentic thing you can do is turn the volume down.
If you aren’t high energy today, why does something have to be “wrong”? Can a girl not just bask in her 20% for a day? I mean, dang. Life is already a marathon, don’t need to run it with a mask on. I wan’t to run it freely and openly.
Authenticity is the ability to say “NO” without a paragraph of explanation and being perfectly okay with it. It’s knowing that whether you’re in your 80% or your 20%, you’re still the same masterpiece.
Let’s YAP in the comments: Are you sitting in your 80% or your 20% today? And do you feel like the people closest to you actually “get” the quiet version of you? Let’s talk about it.