Trusting Yourself to Find Authenticity in Others

By Lori Lines

​When it comes to understanding and trusting others, your feelings can be a powerful guide. Authentic people, those who are genuine and true to themselves, make it easier for our brains to relax and feel at ease. Here’s why:


Reduced Cognitive Load

When interacting with authentic people, our brains don’t have to work as hard. Genuine individuals communicate straightforwardly and honestly, without hidden meanings or inconsistencies. This clear communication reduces the mental effort needed to decipher their intentions, allowing us to feel more relaxed. In contrast, dealing with deceitful or manipulative people keeps our brains on high alert, which can be exhausting.

Lower Stress and Greater Predictability

Authentic people tend to be predictable and trustworthy. Our nervous system thrives in environments where it can accurately predict outcomes. When we can trust someone to do what they say and mean what they say, it creates a stable social environment. This predictability reduces uncertainty and stress, making interactions more peaceful and less stressful.

Consistent Actions and Words

Genuine people’s actions align with their words. They mean what they say and follow through on their promises. This consistency is reassuring and helps build trust. It’s comforting to know that someone will act in ways that match their words, reducing the need for us to second-guess or worry about their true intentions.

Positive Social Support

Authentic people often provide valuable social support, which is crucial for our mental and emotional well-being. Having someone who truly understands and supports us can buffer against stress and anxiety. This support fosters a sense of peace and security, knowing we have someone reliable in our corner.

Observing Your Brain’s Reactions

Pay attention to how you react when interacting with others. If you feel relaxed and at ease, chances are you’re dealing with an authentic person. On the other hand, if you constantly feel on edge or anxious, it might be a sign that the person isn’t as genuine as they appear.

Trusting Your Feelings to Perceive Sincerity and Genuineness in Others

Our feelings are powerful tools for perceiving sincerity and genuineness in others. By paying attention to how our bodies respond during interactions, we can often discern whether someone is being authentic. Here’s how this works and why it’s important to heal our own perceptions to truly understand others.

How Our Bodies Signal Authenticity

When we interact with sincere and genuine people, our bodies often provide subtle signals that can guide us. These signals might include:

Feeling Relaxed: Genuine individuals create an atmosphere where we feel at ease. Our muscles relax, our breathing becomes steady, and we feel a sense of calm.

Reduced Anxiety: When someone is authentic, we don’t have to constantly second-guess their intentions. This reduces our anxiety and allows us to be more present and open.

Trusting Intuition: Our gut feelings or intuition often kick in when we are around genuine people. This inner sense of trust and safety is a powerful indicator of authenticity.

The Importance of Healing Our Perceptions

While our feelings can be reliable indicators of others' authenticity, it’s crucial to recognize that our perceptions can sometimes be distorted by our own wounds and past experiences. Healing ourselves is essential to ensure that we see others clearly.

Common Distorted Perceptions

Projection: We might project our own insecurities and fears onto others, seeing them as less trustworthy than they are.

Mistrust from Past Hurts: Past betrayals and disappointments can make us overly cautious and skeptical, even towards genuine people.

Emotional Triggers: Certain behaviors or words might trigger unresolved emotions from our past, skewing our perception of the present situation.

Steps to Heal and Clear Our Perceptions

Self-Awareness: Recognize when your past experiences are influencing your current perceptions. Journaling or talking to a therapist can help identify these patterns.

Mindfulness Practices: Engage in mindfulness or meditation to stay present and observe your reactions without judgment. This helps in differentiating between genuine feelings and those arising from past wounds.

Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself as you navigate through your healing process. Understand that it's normal to have distorted perceptions and that healing is a journey.

Therapy and Support: Professional therapy can provide tools and strategies to heal from past traumas and develop healthier ways of relating to others.

Healthy Boundaries: Learning to set and respect healthy boundaries can protect you from being hurt again, while still allowing you to trust and open up to others.

Benefits of Healing Ourselves

By healing our own wounds, we can approach relationships with a clearer, more balanced perspective. This allows us to:

Trust Our Feelings More Accurately: With fewer distortions, our gut feelings and bodily responses become more reliable indicators of others' authenticity.

Build Stronger Relationships: We can form deeper, more meaningful connections based on genuine trust and understanding.

Enhance Personal Well-being: Reducing the stress and anxiety that come from mistrust and distorted perceptions improves our overall mental and emotional health.

Final Thoughts...

It's essential to note everyone is on a journey toward authenticity, and occasional inconsistencies are part of being human. Recognizing this can help us approach others with empathy and understanding. Giving chances and engaging in open communication about these inconsistencies can strengthen relationships and promote mutual growth. By embracing our shared humanity, we can build deeper, more authentic connections with those around us.

Trusting our feelings is a powerful way to perceive sincerity and genuineness in others. However, it’s equally important to heal our own wounds to ensure our perceptions are accurate. By becoming aware of and addressing our distorted perceptions, we can enjoy more authentic and fulfilling relationships, enhancing our overall well-being and happiness.

In love and truth,
Lori Lines