real self
Authentic inner being
The real self is the person you actually are beneath social masks and performed identities—your authentic thoughts, desires, and nature as opposed to the persona you present to others.
Psychology distinguishes it from the ideal self (who you wish to be) and the ought self (who others expect you to be): It took years of therapy to reconnect with my real self.
The concept assumes an essential core identity exists to be discovered or recovered, though some philosophies dispute this.
- authenticVerified as original
- true colorsOne's real character revealed
- identityWho someone is
- soulInnermost animating essence
- essenceFundamental nature of something
core · deep down · inner · inner child · true · genuine · finding yourself · reflection · mirror · vulnerability · letting go · honesty · stripped · stripped down · naked · raw · unfiltered · no filter
- self-conceptpersonal identity, identity formation, persona, individuality
- inner selfsoul, psyche, inner being, inner voice, inner child
- humanistic psychologyAbraham Maslow, hierarchy of needs, congruence, genuineness, human potential
- parts of selfego, id, superego, psyche, soul
- Revealing truthsrevelation, confession, disclosure, exposure, unmasking
real selffacade
Deceptive outward appearance
false self · persona · mask · pretense · front
real selfpublic self
Outward-facing identity presented socially
social self · public image · social mask · image · outer self
real, self, reals, really, realism, realist, realistic, realistically, reality