6 Signs You Live a Fake Life
A Fake life is not a REAL way of living…
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. Truth is, I may be pretty bold here, but I feel like people need to hear this message. I see too much “fake” on social media. There too many lies, and quite honestly, I am yearning to see more authenticity! I see people claiming to be “authors” with no published book. I see people claiming to be a “keynote speaker,” but have never delivered a keynote before. I see people claiming to “make six figures,” but it’s been over a 3-5 year span. And the list goes on and on. Enough is enough! We do not need more lies in this world, we need more truth…YOUR TRUTH!
You are robbing yourself of true happiness in exchange for a short moment of a feel-good feeling.
There are two things happening here:
- “Fake it until you make it” has gone waaaaaay too far.
- People care too much about what other people think, and not enough about their own values.
Leading a life that is inauthentic means you are not being true to yourself and your beliefs. A fake life is one that is led to please others but does not please you. When you decide to live more authentically, you make the choice to accept yourself, including your flaws and strengths.
You make decisions based on what you value and believe, and you stop engaging in self-defeating habits that thwart your success and ability to reach your goals.
To live a real life, one that is not fake to yourself or others, means you know yourself well, you act in ways that uphold your beliefs, and you stop judging yourself and others for being less than perfect creatures. How can you tell if you’re living a fake life versus one that is truly authentic? Here are six signs to watch out for.
#1. You spend money on things to help you “cope” with your life.
Whether it’s expensive foods, manicures, massages, or new clothes, if part of you feels the need to engage in “retail therapy” just to relieve stress or get through your week, chances are you are not living your most authentic life. When you are false to yourself and make choices in your personal and professional life that are not aligned with your beliefs or values, it creates stress.
These friction points build up, and eventually, you need to let off some steam. If you find yourself seeking out ways to spend money to feel better, you may be leading a fake life.
#2. You live your life just waiting for your next vacation.
If you spend your days waiting until 5:00, your weeks hoping for Friday, or your months endlessly daydreaming about your next vacation, you may not be living your most authentic life. When your life is fake, you need to “get away” from it, and you spend a lot of time imagining how much happier you will be when you’re away from your day-to-day.
If you are living a life that is authentic to your values and beliefs, you are not as compelled to plan elaborate vacations or spend weeks away just to unwind. When you love your life and are living according to your true wishes and values, you don’t need to escape to be happy. Happiness is right there waiting for you each day when you get out of bed.
#3. You never have time.
When you are living an inauthentic life, you never have enough time, whether it be to spend with friends, to work out, for hobbies or fun, or to focus on your own personal development. If your fake life is causing you to spend time projecting the image you think you are supposed to have, or has you busy trying to “cope” with your existence, it’s hard to find quiet moments of solitude or reflection. Living a life that is yours and is true to you means you are not merely surviving but thriving.
#4. You find it hard to experience joy.
If you spend your time thinking about what others have or focused on what is missing in your life, rather than being grateful for your life’s opportunities, you may be leading an inauthentic life. Being fake means you focus on what you don’t have, what others have instead of you, or what is wrong in your life. This robs you of joy and happiness, leading to more feelings of negativity.
#5. Your health may be suffering.
If you are so stressed out living your life that you can’t enjoy your life, it’s a good indication your life isn’t very authentic. If you need regular massages to help you cope with all your stress, or if you find yourself emotionally eating as a coping strategy, your health and your happiness are suffering.
#6. You care more about what others think than about your own beliefs.
Focusing on what others think is the true sign of a fake life. No one should matter more in your life than you. It is your happiness that is most important. When you learn to focus only on what you think is important, you can finally start living the most authentic version of your life.
If you’ve identified any of these signs in your own life, perhaps it is time to start designing a life that is yours and living the best life you can imagine.
