In this episode of Declutter for Change, Heather Clark strips away the "staged performance" of authenticity often seen on social media to define what it actually means to be real. True authenticity isn't a curated aesthetic or recording your "ugly cry" for likes; it is the grit required to live according to your own values rather than the expectations of parents, partners, or society.

For high-achieving women, the disconnect from self often starts as a survival tactic. You are rewarded for "having it all together," so you maintain the act to keep your status until you hit burnout. You trade your truth for a sense of belonging, choosing to fit in rather than cause disruption.

Your body often recognizes the lie before your brain does. Signs you are out of alignment include:

• Exhaustion: Draining your battery just to get through basic social interactions.

• Resentment: Feeling bitter because you said "yes" when you meant "fuck no".

• Physical Cues: Experiencing a tight chest, shallow breathing, or a constant knot in your stomach.

Healing happens when you stop performing and realize you are allowed to just stop the act. Authenticity means being in the moment, absorbing your feelings, and asking if your life reflects what you actually believe. By choosing to live for yourself instead of managing others' comfort, you find the people who truly adore you for who you are.

MORE INFO:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.declutterforchange.com/links/⁠