June: Authenticity Beyond the Masks
Authenticity has become one of those buzz words we hear everywhere—on social media, in self-help books, even in corporate spaces. "Just be yourself," they say. But what does that actually mean? And who is this self we're being asked to be?
At Growth Club, we don’t believe authenticity is just about showing up without makeup or being radically honest on Instagram (though those things can be part of it). We believe authenticity is a sacred, ongoing process—a deep homecoming to who you are beneath the conditioning, beneath the expectations, beneath the roles you’ve had to play to survive, succeed, or belong.
Authenticity isn’t a fixed identity.
It's a fluid dance between who we are now and who we’re becoming. It’s not about choosing between our softness or our power, our ambition or our rest, our independence or our longing to be loved. It’s about learning how to hold all of it, without shame, guilt or fear. It’s about integrating the paradoxes, not erasing them.
Personally, I’ve wrestled with these contradictions:
The part of me that wants to hide in a love cocoon and create from a place of slowness, softness, and sensuality…
…and the part of me that wants to speak on stages, lead communities, and shatter glass ceilings with my voice and vision.
And for a long time, I thought I had to choose.
But authenticity, real authenticity, has taught me: I don’t have to.
Because authenticity isn’t about choosing one identity and discarding the others. It’s about honoring all the pieces of who we are—especially the ones we’ve hidden, judged, or felt we had to “fix” in order to be loved or successful.
It’s about becoming aware of the masks we wear—whether we’re hiding, performing, overachieving, or dimming—and gently peeling them back with compassion. It’s about noticing when we’re operating from fear or programming, and inviting ourselves into deeper truth.
Authenticity is not about perfection. It’s about being present with your truth.
It’s about aligning with your core values—not just the ones that sound good, but the ones your body recognizes as home.
It’s about listening inward more than looking outward.
It’s about making peace with who you’ve been, owning who you are now, and making room for who you’re becoming.
The journey of authenticity is the journey of Self Discovery. It’s not linear. It’s not neat. It’s full of mystery and mess and magic. But it’s also the most liberating thing you can gift yourself.
If you’re done hiding, dimming, or exaggerating parts of yourself to fit in, succeed, or be loved—then you’re in the right place. Growth Club was built for all parts of you. You are safe to take up space here, in all your multidimensionality.
You don’t have to be just one thing.
You don’t have to be the same version of yourself every day.
You get to be real. You get to be whole. You get to grow.
Authenticity isn’t a finish line. It’s a practice. A choice. A devotion to your realest, rawest, most radiant self.
Reflection Prompts for you:
What masks have I worn in different seasons of my life to feel safe, accepted, or successful?
Which parts of myself do I still judge, suppress, or hide? Why?
What would it feel like to give those parts permission to exist more fully?
What are 3 core values that feel most aligned for me right now?
What version of me feels most true today—not the most perfect, productive, or popular, but the most true?
Recommended Resources:
The Growth Club team has curated a few recommended readings and podcasts to explore Authenticity deeper. Let us know what you think, and feel free to share more of your favorites with us!
Books:
The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown
A compassionate guide to releasing the need for perfection and embracing your full, authentic self.
A powerful memoir that explores the cost of being a “good girl” and the liberation of reclaiming your wild, authentic truth.
“Radical Acceptance” by Tara Brach
A spiritual and psychological look at how accepting yourself fully is the key to inner freedom.
Podcasts:
On Being with Krista Tippett: The Mystery and Art of Living
In this episode, writer and traveler Pico Iyer turns the tables on host Krista Tippett, exploring the nuances of living authentically amidst life's uncertainties. Their conversation delves into the art of being present and embracing the unknown as a path to genuine living.
Therapy Chat with Laura Reagan: Ep 328: Authenticity, Vulnerability & Self-Compassion
Laura Reagan and Allyson Dinneen explore the journey toward authenticity by addressing the impacts of childhood emotional neglect. They discuss the roles of vulnerability and self-compassion in healing and embracing one's true self.
Ready to dive deeper into this week’s theme?
Access your exclusive challenge and prompts through your member login. (Available to paid members only.)
For additional resources, including worksheets, monthly group coaching and access to retreats and masterminds, apply to join our local membership in Los Angeles for $125/month, or apply to join our global membership for just $50/month.
