6 Signs You Live a Fake Life

Leading an inauthentic life means you are not being true to yourself or your beliefs and an imitation of what your life can be. In a fake life, you please others but are dissatisfied, discouraged, and unhappy. When you decide to live more authentically, you choose to accept yourself, including your flaws and strengths.  We all have them.

To Live authentically simply means embracing who you are, at your very core, and following your values and beliefs. It sounds simple, but many of us are not living an authentic life. It’s a struggle not to let outside influence affect our thoughts and actions. Modern culture, social media, and 24/7 TV News make us think that what we have or who we are is not enough. You are enough!

Living authentically means you know yourself well, act in ways that uphold your beliefs, and stop judging yourself and others for being less than perfect. You make decisions based on what you value and believe, and you stop engaging in self-defeating habits that thwart your success and ability to reach your goals.  Which sometimes takes work to get back in touch with who we truly are. 

 

Here are six signs that you’re living a fake versus authentic life?

 

 #1. You spend money on things to help you “cope” with your life.

 Whether it’s expensive foods, spa treatments, or new clothes, if you need to engage in “retail therapy” to relieve stress or get through your week, chances are you are not living your most authentic life. When you make choices in your personal and professional life that are unaligned with your beliefs or values,  you increase your stress. No amount of shoe therapy can fix that. If you find yourself seeking ways to spend money to feel better, you may lead a fake life.

 

#2. You live your life waiting for your next vacation.

 

If you spend your days staring at the clock waiting until it hits 5 pm, your weeks in anticipation of Friday, or your months endlessly dreaming about your next vacation, you may not be living your most authentic life. When your life is fake, you need to “get away” from it, and you spend a lot of time imagining how much happier you will be when you’re away from your day-to-day.

 If you live a life authentic to your values and beliefs, you are not as compelled to plan elaborate vacations or spend weeks away to unwind. When you love your life and are living according to your true wishes and values, you don’t need to escape to be happy. Happiness is right there waiting for you each day when you get out of bed.  That doesn’t mean that everything is sunshine and roses, life is fraught with challenges.  However, when you live authentically the challenges are easier to manage and do not become burdensome.

 

#3. You never have time.

 

When you live an inauthentic life, you never have enough time to spend with friends, work out, for hobbies or fun, or focus on your personal development. Projecting a fake image of who you think you are supposed is a telltale sign that you may need to rethink your values. Living a life that is yours and is true to you means you are not merely surviving but thriving.

 

#4. You find it hard to experience joy.

 

If you spend your time thinking about what others have or focused on what is missing in your life, rather than being grateful for your life’s opportunities, you may be leading an inauthentic life. Feelings of lack rob you of joy and happiness and can lead to more negativity. Gratitude helps you feel positive emotions, enjoy good experiences, improve your health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.  Are these the things that you desire in your life?

 

#5. Your health may be suffering.

 

Feeling so stressed out that you can’t enjoy your life, it’s a good indication that your life isn’t very authentic. If you need regular massages to help you cope with all your stress, or if you find yourself emotionally eating as a coping strategy, your health and your happiness are suffering.  Often these are simple mindset fixes.  However, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor and seek out a specialist with expertise in these areas. 

 

#6. You care more about what others think than about your own beliefs.

 

Focusing on what others think is the true sign of a fake life. No one should matter more in your life than you. It is your happiness that is most important. When you learn to focus only on what you think is essential, you can finally start living the most authentic version of your life.  That doesn’t mean that you are selfish or self-centered.  

 

Many things catch your eye but pursue only those that capture your heart.- Indian Proverb

 

Let me begin this section by saying that there is no judgment here. If you’ve identified any of these signs in your own life, perhaps it is time to start designing a life that is yours and living the best life you can imagine.   Make decisions based on what you value and believe, and you stop engaging in self-defeating habits that thwart your success and ability to reach your goals.

 Authenticity requires self-knowledge,  self-awareness, and acceptance of your strengths and weaknesses. Living with this kind of self-awareness, decisions are easier because you are free to choose things that move you closer to your values. You are able to stand in the presence of your imperfections because you can accept your humanity. You can also embrace your talents and abilities.

Authenticity may also require you to make unpopular decisions or to acknowledge aspects of yourself that you’d rather hideaway, but in the end, it allows you to live a more open, honest, and engaged life.

Here are three steps you can take to live an authentic, beautiful and meaningful life.

• Define your core values. It’s hard to be authentic if you do not know what you value and desire. What feels right now and align our actions around those things.  Click here for the Action Guide on Core Values.

 

• Keep an open mind. Authenticity flourishes when you experience the world from every perspective to avoid judgment and limitation. Challenge yourself to look at all sides of a situation. 

 

• Trust your intuition. You’re intuition never fails you! When you feel out of sync, pay attention to those hunches, physical sensations, and impressions when things don’t feel right.

 

Your good health happiness and fulfillment are within your grasp.  Do the work, be true to yourself and you will flourish.  Here are 10 secrets to having the best day ever, every day!