Self-Authentication

I’m sure by now you’ve heard of the word ‘self-improvement.’ After all, many of the themes in The Hemingway Post can be categorized under this term.

However, I realize there is a big misunderstanding in my life that I’ve been discovering over the years.

You see, almost all the self-improvement content I’ve consumed has pushed the same narrative:

“Once you achieve _____, you’ll be fulfilled”

Once you lose 50 pounds, you’ll be happy. Once you get your degree, you’ll be content. Once you do this thing, your problems will be solved.

The problem is, that changing your actions or reaching a goal doesn’t necessarily change your character.

I want to propose an alternative to the modern “self-improvement” that focuses on results more than inner transformation:

Self-authentification. 

Instead of focusing on the ‘outer’ things, I want to focus on my inner self. I want to meditate on my deepest insecurities, problems, and obstacles holding me back.

Self-authentification is the process of destroying all the false stories, insecurities, and limiting beliefs. This is what is actually holding us back from becoming who we’re called to be.

Without (as the younglings say) ‘facing our demons,’ we are tricking ourselves by making tiny changes that aren’t changing us. They may be changing our outer circumstances, but they aren’t truly transforming our inner selves.

I’m not saying that creating new habits and striving for new goals is pointless. Far from it.

But without first destroying our weak foundations, we can’t build ourselves up stronger.

Moving forward, I am striving to do just that, and I urge you to do the same. This week, I challenge you to meditate on what is actually holding you back from growth.

Is it low self-esteem? Greif from a recent loss? Jealousy?

Whatever it may be, these uncomfortable truths must be faced. It is by no means easy, but it is vital for character change.

You got this.

Keep making progress. Change for the better. Live the Heming-way.

Til next time,

Trevor