In my work as a wellbeing coach, I often ask people a seemingly simple question: "What do you want?" The responses I receive tell me so much more than just their desires—they reveal whether someone is speaking from their authentic self or echoing the voices they're surrounded by.
The Symphony of Voices
When someone speaks from their heart, there's an unmistakable resonance in their words. Their voice carries the weight of lived experience, their eyes light up with genuine emotion, and their language flows naturally, unscripted. They share hopes, fears, and dreams that feel uniquely theirs—whether they're talking about health goals, life changes, or their vision for the future.
But increasingly, I notice a different pattern. People often respond with carefully curated phrases that sound more like a collection of social media posts than their own truth. They repeat viewpoints from influencers, bloggers, and podcasters—voices that are increasingly driven by algorithms, profit motives, and the pursuit of engagement rather than genuine wisdom or truth. While meaningful voices exist in these spaces, they're often drowned out by the noise of trending topics and viral takes that may not align with an individual's genuine needs and aspirations.
The Challenge of Authenticity
This pattern extends beyond personal wellbeing choices to how we form opinions about everything from diet trends to political stances. We're constantly bombarded with persuasive voices telling us what to think, how to feel, and what to want. It's easier to adopt these ready-made viewpoints than to do the deeper work of discovering our own truth.
But here's the challenge: When we borrow others' voices instead of finding our own, we risk making choices that don't truly serve our wellbeing or reflect our authentic values.
Finding Your True North
So how do we reconnect with our authentic voice? Here are some reflections to consider:
Pause and Listen: Before adopting a viewpoint or making a decision, take a moment to sit with it. Does it resonate with your lived experience and personal values?
Question the Source: When you find yourself strongly agreeing with something, ask yourself: "Is this truly my perspective, or am I echoing someone else's voice?"
Trust Your Inner Wisdom: Your body and heart often know truths that your mind hasn't caught up to yet. Pay attention to how different choices and viewpoints feel in your body.
Embrace Uncertainty: It's okay not to have immediate answers. Sometimes sitting with questions is more valuable than rushing to conclusions.
The Path Forward
True wellbeing—whether personal, communal, or societal—begins with authenticity. When we make choices from a place of genuine self-knowledge rather than borrowed wisdom, we create sustainable change that honors both our individual needs and our connection to the larger world.
As we navigate complex personal and societal choices, let's commit to finding our own truths. This doesn't mean rejecting all outside influences, but rather developing the discernment to recognize which voices align with our authentic selves and which ones don't serve our genuine wellbeing.
What would change in your life if you made decisions purely from your heart's wisdom rather than collected opinions? How might your choices—about health, relationships, or civic engagement—be different if they came from your authentic voice?
The journey to wellbeing is ultimately a personal one. While we can learn from others, the only truth that will sustainably guide us is the one we discover for ourselves.
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