Hm really interesting question you’ve raised here Sky .

I suppose I just take for granted what being authentic or true to one’s authentic self involves, I’ve not really tried to put it into words before, it’s just been something instinctive (fwiw I’m very rarely authentic and it’s a real bone of contention in my mind, a catalyst for a lot of self hate and self contempt…)

I have to say that I don’t really see it operating in the realm of food and whatever other shoulds oughts and conflicting hedonistic pleasures might arise (like smoking, or getting drunk and out of it) all of which are generic human behaviours and not specifically related to or arising from a sense of unique authenticity (only my understanding of it of course.)

If I had to define it I think I’d say – being true to my internal sense of what’s right/wrong for me in any given moment – that may well end up being misguided (due to pathology, emotional issues, mental health problems whatever…) but that anything else is being fake (in the sense of adopting a false externally acquired façade of self) and therefore working against me. I dunno I guess it’s just something you KNOW, internally.

Like if I fancied eating disgustingly unhealthy hugely calorific food, if that’s what I really wanted in the moment I’d probably do it and know it was being ‘true’ and authentic. But I’m aware that equally in any other given moment, I’d refuse to eat the same food – I believe that we have an innate drive to health and that stuff like overeating or over drinking or any other form of apparently self destructive behaviour is actually self regulated if we are in touch with our authentic on our sides self… bit airy fairy I know, sorry. I can’t seem to explain it any better.

Lol and for what it’s worth, I’m so rarely authentic that it’s a constant struggle to do the right thing by myself…

Mainly I see authenticity as relating to what we need and want in order to function to our maximum capacity (Maslow’s self actualised apotheosis of being human). In a way that could be judged as selfish, but fundamentally I don’t thing being selfish is that terrible a thing. Putting the lives and happiness of loved ones before your own comfort and wellbeing can also be considered selfish on this level, because it matters to you and is true to who you are to put them first – being true to your own values and needs and wants yeah that’s authenticity and not selfish in the usual morally pejorative meaning of the word.

Lol I’ve really gone on and on haven’t I? Sky I think I’m picking up a feeling here of fearing the label of selfishness, more than a not knowing what being authentic actually means. Out of interest, what do you think being authentic entails?

Torn