An "Authentic Life"...
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This is a short article that describes the term pretty well....
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3263114/
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3263114/
I never in my life heard the term before.
But, I just read the first couple sentences, and I'm thinking "Load of bull." We can't al do everything we want, and that's authentic life. I authentically don't have money to do whatever I want, and that's that. Sure, I've love a huge house with attached kennels and stables and spend all my days with dogs and horses, but that's not going to happen.
I hate this sort of article. It's so fake.
But, I just read the first couple sentences, and I'm thinking "Load of bull." We can't al do everything we want, and that's authentic life. I authentically don't have money to do whatever I want, and that's that. Sure, I've love a huge house with attached kennels and stables and spend all my days with dogs and horses, but that's not going to happen.
I hate this sort of article. It's so fake.
I've never heard this term either. I agree the article pretty much seems like a load of bull. I guess since I'm not married I'm not living an authentic life? Because, you know, finding the love of your life is so simple.
Sounds like a marketing scheme a life coach came up with.
Also I think I'd much rather live a fantasy life than an authentic one. Pink castles and flying ponies would be awesome please.
Sounds like a marketing scheme a life coach came up with.
Also I think I'd much rather live a fantasy life than an authentic one. Pink castles and flying ponies would be awesome please.
I have never heard of this term, either.
While I would agree that we often are our own worst enemies, I highly doubt I could do ANYTHING I EVER WANT IF I JUST BELIEVED. Unless I can scrounge up some fairy dust, it ain't happening.
I think it's important to be happy with what you have. Yes, you can do better but constantly having to do better leads to unhappy feelings which makes you just... unhappy.
I also agree with the others that it's kind of a load. (Beanie's "Life coach" comment hits it.) Maybe this would be good for someone struggling with making a decision or feeling (a little) depressed. But for most people, this just isn't realistic.
I am happy for where I am. For how much (little) money I make. For what I do have and for what I want to have/am working toward having. To say I can't be happy until I achieve that seems silly. It may not be an ideal situation, but when will it be? Because when you set Goal A and finally reach it... what comes next? Goal B. And so on. That's kind of the point of goals. To reach them and then make new ones. (And percentages? Really? I'm 68% happy!)
(I'm going to mention that I also doubt most of us even know WHAT we want. And if we do, it changes. I wanted a VW Bug when I was 7. Have I failed myself by not having one? :rofl1
While I would agree that we often are our own worst enemies, I highly doubt I could do ANYTHING I EVER WANT IF I JUST BELIEVED. Unless I can scrounge up some fairy dust, it ain't happening.
I think it's important to be happy with what you have. Yes, you can do better but constantly having to do better leads to unhappy feelings which makes you just... unhappy.
I also agree with the others that it's kind of a load. (Beanie's "Life coach" comment hits it.) Maybe this would be good for someone struggling with making a decision or feeling (a little) depressed. But for most people, this just isn't realistic.
I am happy for where I am. For how much (little) money I make. For what I do have and for what I want to have/am working toward having. To say I can't be happy until I achieve that seems silly. It may not be an ideal situation, but when will it be? Because when you set Goal A and finally reach it... what comes next? Goal B. And so on. That's kind of the point of goals. To reach them and then make new ones. (And percentages? Really? I'm 68% happy!)
(I'm going to mention that I also doubt most of us even know WHAT we want. And if we do, it changes. I wanted a VW Bug when I was 7. Have I failed myself by not having one? :rofl1
I haven't heard of that term either and I also declare it a load of bull.
Do I think you should experience life, try new things, and be open? Sure. But that doesn't mean that someone who can't afford a 15k safari isn't living a full or authentic life.
Just like someone who isn't married isn't a sad, poor person, and someone who doesn't have a child doesn't know what real love is.
What we do with our lives, each and every one is different. We have to grow up and do things we don't like to do. Do I like to sit in an office 8hrs a day? No. But I have to do it to pay the bills, etc.
Do I think you should experience life, try new things, and be open? Sure. But that doesn't mean that someone who can't afford a 15k safari isn't living a full or authentic life.
Just like someone who isn't married isn't a sad, poor person, and someone who doesn't have a child doesn't know what real love is.
What we do with our lives, each and every one is different. We have to grow up and do things we don't like to do. Do I like to sit in an office 8hrs a day? No. But I have to do it to pay the bills, etc.
Change your thoughts, change your life!!!
Haha
I think the article is poorly written and I, too, have never heard the term before.
At first what I thought it meant was to enjoy your life day to day - and if you aren't happy with it change it!
Kind of like "mountain top moments"**** -- you can't live being miserable looking forward to the weekend, the get-a-way, etc and then return home an be miserable till the next adventure/Friday night/tv show, etc (doesn't have to be a 15k safari)
To be authentically happy or to live an Authentic life you can't ask what if or believe that you can't achieve or do what you want. If you're not happy right now, every day, you have the power to change it.
I totally believe that. Life changes fast and is way too freaking short to waste being unhappy.
****
Haha
I think the article is poorly written and I, too, have never heard the term before.
At first what I thought it meant was to enjoy your life day to day - and if you aren't happy with it change it!
Kind of like "mountain top moments"**** -- you can't live being miserable looking forward to the weekend, the get-a-way, etc and then return home an be miserable till the next adventure/Friday night/tv show, etc (doesn't have to be a 15k safari)
To be authentically happy or to live an Authentic life you can't ask what if or believe that you can't achieve or do what you want. If you're not happy right now, every day, you have the power to change it.
I totally believe that. Life changes fast and is way too freaking short to waste being unhappy.
****
I'd never heard the term, but after scanning the article, I think it's trying to get at the idea of reassessing your priorities so that they match up with what it is that you truly want in life - not what societal pressures or the influence of others tells you that you "ought" to be.
Maybe if all you want is to go on a giant expensive vacation and live in a giant house, then yeah, it's "dumb" and not so plausible... but if what you want is to be genuinely happy in other ways, then it makes perfect sense to me.
If you're climbing ladders to make big bucks because that's what you were "meant" to do, but you'd rather be working at a book store making $10/hr - then maybe you should reconsider what it is that you're doing.
Here's a video that I saw a while ago that I think fits my point fairly well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJCOiegKAlY&noredirect=1
Don't get me wrong - there's something to be said for being pragmatic and logical about your life decisions - but why not aim for that happy medium, that is "working to live" rather than "living to work"?
THAT to me, is an "authentic" life.
My aunt used to be a lawyer. She got tired of the hours and the workaholic lifestyle and is now working at a bookstore and says that she genuinely enjoys going to work each day.
A woman who I work with used to be a veterinarian. She too, got tired of the career based lifestyle and switched her path to become a lab technician and start up a hobby farm and I think she's happier that way.
That's not to say that in order to live for yourself, you'd need to switch from a "career oriented" path to a less career oriented path - you just need to do what is right for you.
I'm struggling with this right now as I near graduation. I've struggled with it throughout my life because I tend to want to appease people and make them happy. I went to high school at a school that for the time while I was there, was ranked as the #1 public high school in the country. I was surrounded by a type A, "climb the ladder" mentality. I loved the school, met quite a few good friends there, and received an exceptional education, but when it came time for college decisions, I came upon some obstacles. I knew that I wanted to go to college and that I wanted to continue to receive a quality education. Yet, I wanted to do what I was interested in, not just go to a college with a better name. When I applied and was accepted to UVA, William and Mary, and VA Tech, and decided to attend VA Tech, I received some subtle backlash from my peers for picking the "lesser" of the three schools. This is what I consider being authentic to oneself. I picked the choice that fit me, despite the conflicting surrounding interests.
Now as I am nearing graduation, I'm feeling the same internal conflict. I have been on the preveterinary track for 4 years now and honestly do think that I could have gotten into vet school in state with my grades and extracurriculars. But I couldn't bring myself to apply this summer because I still wasn't sold on the idea. I'm finishing out my prereqs because I love to learn and so that the option will still be available to me in the future, but I think that I would be happier taking a different path and I'm now trying to figure out what that path might be.
That was a long winded answer - but no, I don't think that this idea of living an "authentic life" is a stupid one - rather I think that it holds a lot of significance.
Maybe if all you want is to go on a giant expensive vacation and live in a giant house, then yeah, it's "dumb" and not so plausible... but if what you want is to be genuinely happy in other ways, then it makes perfect sense to me.
If you're climbing ladders to make big bucks because that's what you were "meant" to do, but you'd rather be working at a book store making $10/hr - then maybe you should reconsider what it is that you're doing.
Here's a video that I saw a while ago that I think fits my point fairly well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJCOiegKAlY&noredirect=1
Don't get me wrong - there's something to be said for being pragmatic and logical about your life decisions - but why not aim for that happy medium, that is "working to live" rather than "living to work"?
THAT to me, is an "authentic" life.
My aunt used to be a lawyer. She got tired of the hours and the workaholic lifestyle and is now working at a bookstore and says that she genuinely enjoys going to work each day.
A woman who I work with used to be a veterinarian. She too, got tired of the career based lifestyle and switched her path to become a lab technician and start up a hobby farm and I think she's happier that way.
That's not to say that in order to live for yourself, you'd need to switch from a "career oriented" path to a less career oriented path - you just need to do what is right for you.
I'm struggling with this right now as I near graduation. I've struggled with it throughout my life because I tend to want to appease people and make them happy. I went to high school at a school that for the time while I was there, was ranked as the #1 public high school in the country. I was surrounded by a type A, "climb the ladder" mentality. I loved the school, met quite a few good friends there, and received an exceptional education, but when it came time for college decisions, I came upon some obstacles. I knew that I wanted to go to college and that I wanted to continue to receive a quality education. Yet, I wanted to do what I was interested in, not just go to a college with a better name. When I applied and was accepted to UVA, William and Mary, and VA Tech, and decided to attend VA Tech, I received some subtle backlash from my peers for picking the "lesser" of the three schools. This is what I consider being authentic to oneself. I picked the choice that fit me, despite the conflicting surrounding interests.
Now as I am nearing graduation, I'm feeling the same internal conflict. I have been on the preveterinary track for 4 years now and honestly do think that I could have gotten into vet school in state with my grades and extracurriculars. But I couldn't bring myself to apply this summer because I still wasn't sold on the idea. I'm finishing out my prereqs because I love to learn and so that the option will still be available to me in the future, but I think that I would be happier taking a different path and I'm now trying to figure out what that path might be.
That was a long winded answer - but no, I don't think that this idea of living an "authentic life" is a stupid one - rather I think that it holds a lot of significance.
I really liked your post! I think you will figure it out one step at a time, that's sort of where I am as well.
I hadn't heard of the term before either but I have heard of the term authentic self which I like better.
There's different theories but basically when a humans base needs are met: food/ water, shelter, safety/ emotional connections we're free to reach goals that are meaningful to us (pursue hobbies, passions, write, challenge fixed beliefs, whatever speaks to that person).
I don't think you need a lot of money to pursue your passions hobbies and interests, but it will be easier when your base needs are met first.
I hadn't heard of the term before either but I have heard of the term authentic self which I like better.
There's different theories but basically when a humans base needs are met: food/ water, shelter, safety/ emotional connections we're free to reach goals that are meaningful to us (pursue hobbies, passions, write, challenge fixed beliefs, whatever speaks to that person).
I don't think you need a lot of money to pursue your passions hobbies and interests, but it will be easier when your base needs are met first.
Add me to the 'never heard of it' group.
I agree people should live their lives with doing what you love as much as possible being part of it. But you still have to pay the bills ... I am working towards what I want, I may or may not ever get there. But I am happy in the moment, and I have a goal.
Though I too would like the fantasy life. Maybe not pink castles, but I could get behind unicorns!
I agree people should live their lives with doing what you love as much as possible being part of it. But you still have to pay the bills ... I am working towards what I want, I may or may not ever get there. But I am happy in the moment, and I have a goal.
Though I too would like the fantasy life. Maybe not pink castles, but I could get behind unicorns!
I've heard the term before . . . its a new term for an old idea, which is some ways does make it a load of bull. And the choice of the term authentic is simultaneously pretentious, condescending, and confusing. It also has a real "first-world problem" feeling . . .
The idea is that you should make certain trade-offs (like take the less high paying job, etc) to live more the life you want to live, even if it costs you status or a fancier house, or etc. Of course, that presumes that you you have those choices and can afford to make them. (so it might mean the 15k safari, if you can afford it and are deciding to do that rather than shoot for a bonus if you are investment banker . . . but it could also mean working a reduced schedule to spend time with your kids, or choosing not to go golfing with the boss and go fishing with your high school friend instead) Now, its too bad that more people who do have those choices don't make them (they'd be happier and maybe our culture would change for the better).
But not everyone can make those choices, and it in no way makes them fake. Nor do those choices have to be the ones that promotes.
The idea is that you should make certain trade-offs (like take the less high paying job, etc) to live more the life you want to live, even if it costs you status or a fancier house, or etc. Of course, that presumes that you you have those choices and can afford to make them. (so it might mean the 15k safari, if you can afford it and are deciding to do that rather than shoot for a bonus if you are investment banker . . . but it could also mean working a reduced schedule to spend time with your kids, or choosing not to go golfing with the boss and go fishing with your high school friend instead) Now, its too bad that more people who do have those choices don't make them (they'd be happier and maybe our culture would change for the better).
But not everyone can make those choices, and it in no way makes them fake. Nor do those choices have to be the ones that promotes.
That's what I think. I liked it. All the people who took it as being about wanting stuff or trying to live beyond your means must have pretty shadow goals. The only goals and true desires I have that require money would be things like travel, hobbies that require classes or equipment, and things that require lessons or education but they are all doable if I make them a priority. I think the article is saying just don't write off your goals cause you think you can't do it. A person who wants to finds a way, one who doesn't finds an excuse. That's the bottom line that I took from it.
See, its condescending (the idea). Why do you assume its shallow? Why if people have other desires other than you they MUST be shallow. Perhaps to them that is the life they most desire?
My ideal would be traveling with family and friends, doing as many agility trials as Dekka would enjoy, buying a farm..
All these things are far beyond my means at the moment. Heck entering ONE agility trial is beyond my means right now. But that doesn't make them shallow.
My ideal would be traveling with family and friends, doing as many agility trials as Dekka would enjoy, buying a farm..
All these things are far beyond my means at the moment. Heck entering ONE agility trial is beyond my means right now. But that doesn't make them shallow.