What do you think happens when you contradict to your beliefs, principles or identity? Do you find difficult staying true to yourself when you are challenged?
Do you sometimes do or say things that you regret afterwards because it is the opposite of who you are?
Principles, beliefs and moral values we develop throughout our lives are shaped on self-discovery journey. These aspects also contribute to who we are. Yet, we may still be challenged in situations or by people to stay true to what makes us who we are. Because staying true to yourself is often very hard. Most of us already experience difficulty finding ourselves. Even when we discover some parts of our souls and persona, we face so many hardships to be in line with it.
Then, how do we do it?
How do we say exactly what is needed (not wanted) to be heard, or act the way it should be (not perceived) in order to show our true stance?
How to Stay True to Yourself
Sometimes, we end up in situations where we need to address the truth. If no one else is addressing the elephant in the room and you feel like this is against your nature, there is nothing wrong about being sharp-tongued (as they may call it) .
Just because you openly refuse to condone to an unfair treatment insulting your values and beliefs, you should not be apologetic. You may face situations where you need to choose between being the “nice” and “cooperative” one or “horror” and even “rude” one at times. When that happens, choose to be the latter. If it was because you act as your true self, just know that you do NOT need to conform to others’ expectations.
Not bending over people’s perceptions about us can seem to be self-destructive socially. This is because not many people can appreciate that, still it will bring long-term respect if you are consistent. this respect comes first from yourself, then from other people who can appreciate honesty.
You may be labelled at first the “outlier”, the “over-confident” or even “arrogant. However, you will definitely feel at liberty and independence within. You will experience a different kind of freedom.
A freedom in your mind, in your emotions and in your soul.
People may tell that you are too tight or sharp-tongued and they may even describe you as a person with a shortage of social skills.
DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM!!
They are most probably jealous of your confidence and your courage for standing still by your values. Or they may be just lacking the capacity to appreciate difficulty of choosing honesty and transparency. They would manipulate the situation in a way that you do not know how to get around things when you just simply stating the situation openly.
Uncensored honesty is perceived as lacking of social skills in today’s world. People who do not bend in the name of being “polite” and “professional” are accused of being “ungentle” and “difficult”. Especially in a work place setting, office politics are considered as skills to be professional.
Another reason people are unrequited to your stance for staying true to yourself is the fear of the consequences to be not in their favor once they accept you the way you are. You may actually pose a threat to their very being within that environment. By making you look like the outlier, they will justify their incapacity and wrongness.
By the expense of being the ineligible person, you should pick the thorny and difficult road to stay to true yourself. Just because you stand against unfair treatment either towards yourself or others, you should not be intimated by others’ perception of you. If you are someone whose values and principles are solid and who has a persona not bendable according to situations, it is your very nature already.
I know it is hard to stand still, I know it is hard to remain true to what makes you truly who you are..
But still.. It is the key to inner peace and self-appreciation.