Being authentic today is like trying to catch a rare Pokémon: everyone talks about it, but few can actually capture it. In an era where every move and word can be seen by thousands on social media, the line between the “real me” and the “performative me” is getting thinner.
So, what does it even mean to be authentic when society expects you to be a walking brand?
If you’re not trying to “sell” your most real version, someone else will do it for you—or worse, they’ll label you as “fake.” Yep, being authentic has become a commodity, and authenticity is the hottest item on the shelf. But here’s the catch: true authenticity isn’t something you buy, it’s something you build—with a lot of hard work, introspection, and sometimes a few existential crises along the way.
In the creative economy, especially among Gen Z, being authentic means not just staying true to yourself, but skillfully navigating between different versions of yourself to connect with multiple communities. It’s not about being fake; it’s about adaptability. As one wise digital influencer once said, “Be real, but be strategic.”
Today, authenticity is something we live in layers. You can be authentic while creating content, but that doesn’t mean you have to share every detail of your personal life. Authenticity, in this case, is about being honest with the moments you choose to show and realizing that not every “real moment” needs to be broadcast live on TikTok.
And here’s the thing: as we get older, we tend to feel more authentic. Maybe it’s because we care less about what others think and more about what truly matters to us. Time has this weird way of teaching us that, at the end of the day, the only person we really need to be honest with is ourselves. And that, my friend, is the real game of life.
So next time you wonder if you’re being authentic enough, remember: authenticity is a mindset, not an Instagram filter. And if your true self is a little messy and contradictory? Welcome to the club, that’s just being human.
Want more thoughts on living your best life in the digital world? Head over to afteriscool.com and see how the creative economy is shaping the future of authenticity!
