The value of authenticity

A subject that has been on my mind lately is authenticity.

Everything on social media seems to look the same lately. The same style, the same message paraphrased or in some cases copied verbatim. I am aware algorithms play a role in circulating similar content to our feeds - naturally the most trending ones would dominate our feeds. It makes me wonder how much are we influenced by what we are seeing online.

Before internet, people or culture was shaped by movies or shows, so trends and this issue is not a new phenomena. But I argue the internet/social media and the influencer movement definitely accelerated this process.

There is a saying: we are what we consume. We often think of consumption in a physical sense, in regards to nutrition. But we also consume intellectually - our minds are bombarded with “food” or content that elicits social comparison, dopamine loops and emotional “click-bait”. We need to be critically minded and moderated in what we consume intellectually too.

In a world where so much is rehashed/reposted (there is repost functions now on social media, which enables this behaviour) - it is so refreshing when you come across someone who brings a unique message/perspective and just seems genuine and true to who they are.

I gave up social media for 40 days last year (as a personal religious practice), which ended up lasting almost 8 months. After returning to it, I had a stronger sense of who I was, and who I wanted to be as a person - it also confirmed what I genuinely loved without the need for external validation, noise or influence. I adopted or delved more into interests or activities because I enjoyed it, not because it was popular or that it needed to be approved/liked by others.

Next time you think of booking a holiday to Bali to find yourself, maybe take a break off social media for a few months.

One does not need to be a trend-setter or influencer. But being aligned with who you are as a person, and who you want to become is something that will naturally set you apart.

As John Mason puts it beautifully, “you were born an original, don't die a copy.”

Coach Jose

Disclaimer: The views expressed are my own and do not represent any organization which I may be affiliated with.