Authentic Existence
Have you ever heard of Søren Kierkegaard, Martin Heidegger, or Jean-Paul Sartre? They were existentialist philosophers.
Kierkegaard wrote in the 1840s-1850s and is considered one of the founders of existentialism. Heidegger and Sartre then emerged as two of the most prominent 20th-century continental philosophers, further developing and popularizing existentialist thought in the 1920s through the 1940s.
But what is existentialism?
Existentialism is a philosophy that analyzes human existence, freedom, and choice and emphasizes personal responsibility for creating meaning in life.
Today, I want to share five powerful exercises to help you live a more authentic, examined life according to the insights of the three men above. What could be more important than gaining insights into your deepest subjective truth and bravely defining the essence of who you are through your lived experiences?
Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Sartre taught that we alone are free to create our own personal meaning, but that this freedom also carries profound responsibility. Too often, we escape into “bad faith,” mindlessly conforming to societal roles and expectations instead of making empowered choices that ring true.
Living an authentic life demands consistent courage, vulnerability, and a willingness to lean into life’s paradoxes. It’s not always easy, but it leads to a richer, more purposeful existence. Here are five exercises to help you wake up to your subjective truth and embrace the full intensity of being:
5 Steps to Live Authentically
Radical Freedom Through Mindfulness
Practice mindfulness by frequently pausing to become aware of the infinite choices available at any given moment. Notice the urges to follow conditioned habits, then consciously choose an alternative action aligned with your truest values and desires. Lean into the anxiety this freedom creates as a reminder of your power.
This can easily be accomplished by thinking about your life goals: short-term and long-term. Each decision and choice you make needs to align with those goals. Otherwise, you will feel lost.
(Look below for the Conscious Breath Practice, under the Bonuses section, that allows you to become grounded in the present, which is essential for making important decisions.)Discover Your Subjective Truth
Spend time alone through journaling, meditation, or just thinking. Notice your gut feelings and emotions and what rings true versus what feels inauthentic. Identify inherited beliefs and question them. Seek direct experience over second-hand opinions. Let your subjective self emerge.
I recently have fallen in love with having “conversations with myself.” I will pose a question, and my instincts will respond. It is such a powerful exercise. It is most important to do this when your life needs are as satisfied as possible. Do not do this exercise tired or hungry!
(Look below for Two Exercises for Discovering Your Truth, under the Bonuses section.)Pursue Vision Over Security
Authenticity requires risk. Get clear about what intensely inspires you, then commit by taking concrete actions — Change jobs, end relationships, radically shift lifestyles, and make that bold move. Avoid the temptation to play it safe and comfortable if it lacks meaning.
Following this one step might change your life.
Note that this doesn’t mean recklessness, but listening to your deepest callings with intention, even if the path is risky/unconventional. Having an inspiring “why” is critical.Practice Saying “No”
Identify and remove inauthentic roles, pursuits, and relationships drained of purpose. Practice respectfully but firmly saying “no” to social obligations, others’ expectations, and self-imposed “shoulds” that no longer serve your subjective truth.
This is one of my most practiced favorites. “No” gives you so much power, but your decisions must remain aligned with your goals. Don’t forget your goals.
Don’t forget: your goal(s) can be simple. It can be taking four one-week-long vacations a year or quitting your second job. A dollar amount or even happiness/peace can be a goal.
(Please read “Overcoming Internalized Guilt” in the Bonuses section below. It really belongs up here, but I wanted it to be appropriately formatted.)Embrace Life’s Paradoxes
This path means making peace with life’s constant tension — pursuing meaning while accepting its ultimate meaninglessness, confronting your mortality while being vitally alive, and feeling anxiety about freedom while relishing it. Journaling about these rich paradoxes cultivates depth.
Journaling is one of my favorite tools. You should lean into it any time you have tension or confusion in your life. Writing things down brings your subconscious and conscious minds together. This can be a really powerful experience if done intentionally with persistence and consistency.
The key is taking full responsibility for examining your true self, making empowered choices, and not sleepwalking through an inauthentic life. It’s a daily practice of vulnerability, courage, and commitment to what matters most.
Some Quotes to Take With You
“The most profound existential courage is the courage to be oneself.”
— Søren Kierkegaard
“Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does.”
— Jean-Paul Sartre
“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”
— Elizabeth Stone (this highlights the existentialist embrace of paradoxes)
Big deep breath in, big deep breath out. (That was for me, but you might need the reminder too. Lol.)
I really do hope you take advantage of the bonuses below. The last one is my favorite, but you will benefit from all three.
Thank you so much for being here. The world needs you, and the world needs your light.
With love,
Jo
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