Authenticity, the ability to live a life that’s true to your own values and goals regardless of what others might think, has become an important concept in modern society. We seek authenticity in the businesses we frequent, the leaders we follow, and the causes we connect with. But being authentic isn’t always easy, as the desire to conform to the standards of others can be strong; even when we feel we’ve been living an authentic life, we can suddenly realize that we still have habits of pleasing others or seeking to fit in even if it’s to our own detriment. Being authentic is a continuous practice that involves being honest with ourselves about what we truly want—and whether we’re following our own ideals, even if it might mean going against the grain.