authentic self
Unmasked inner person
The authentic self is the person you supposedly are beneath social conditioning and others' expectations—your true nature, values, and desires uncorrupted by external pressures.
The concept appears frequently in self-help and therapy contexts: I'm finally living as my authentic self.
Critics note that what feels "authentic" may itself be shaped by culture and circumstance.
- inner childYouthful aspect of psyche
- genuineTruly what it claims
- inner voiceUnspoken mental dialogue
- true colorsOne's real character revealed
- soulInnermost animating essence
essence · vulnerability · no filter · wholeness · identity · unmasked · core · real · raw · honest · integrity · spirit · becoming · finding yourself · individuation · shadow · acceptance · truth
- self-helpadvice, personal development, personal growth, life coaches, life coaching
- existentialismexistence, existential angst, existential crisis, angst, nothingness
- inner selfsoul, psyche, inner being, inner voice, inner child
- parts of selfego, id, superego, psyche, soul
- selfhoodego, personal identity, identity, individuality
- independencefreedom, liberty, Independence Day, autonomy, sovereignty
authentic selfpersona
Assumed public identity
false self · mask · façade · social mask · pretense
authentic selffalse self
Protective psychological mask
split personality · shadow self · self-estrangement · inner conflict
authentic selfpeople-pleaser
One seeking constant approval
herd mentality · imitation · follower · chameleon · sycophant
authentic, self, authentically, authenticity, authenticate, authenticated, authenticating, authentication, authenticator