Reclaiming Happiness: Embracing Your Authentic Self in an Unhealthy World
Happiness lies in the liberating concept of fitting out - it’s about embracing our authentic selves rather than conforming to societal norms. As social beings, we naturally want to belong, but the danger of trying to fit in is that it often leads us to adopt unhealthy habits. When we conform to an unhealthy reality, we deny our true nature, depleting our energy and awareness day after day. From the moment we wake up and push ourselves to keep going without replenishment, we’re drained by lifestyles that don’t align with who we truly are.
We’re living in an era where people profit from pointing out what’s “wrong” with us, offering products to fix problems we didn’t know we had. Focusing on these surface-level symptoms distract us from addressing the root causes of our struggles. This cycle makes us victims of a society that is, in many ways, designed to make us fail. Stress, inflammatory triggers, and constant pressures to conform create a proinflammatory environment that wears us down. Without taking proactive, preemptive steps to protect ourselves, we risk succumbing to the unhealthy system.
Trying to follow someone else’s path - adopting diets and lifestyles that don’t resonate with us or surrounding ourselves with people who don’t align with our values - only depletes our inner resources. This leaves us more vulnerable to external influences and less resilient against harmful forces, leading to feelings of overwhelm, unhappiness and even depression.
In one of my IIN lectures, Pilar Gerasimo, a health journalist, shared that the minute you lose your health, think about all the things you cannot do. The choices that disappear, the resources that get drained, and the opportunities that fade away. Health is freedom - it drives our capacity to live fully. When you wake up feeling amazing, you’re energized, productive and ready to take on the world. But when health falters, momentum slips away, and even the simplest tasks become overwhelming. Every choice that doesn’t align with who you are breaks you further down. Becoming aware of this is your first step to reclaiming control and building skills to take better care of yourself.
True empowerment comes from taking matters into your own hands. By reconnecting with your authentic self and rejecting the unnatural default reality we’ve been conditioned to accept, you can align with your true nature. Much of what feels “wrong” with us is simply the result of an evolutionary mismatch - a byproduct of living in a modern world that doesn’t align with our biological needs. By stepping away from this narrative and embracing who you truly are, you can reclaim your health, happiness, and vitality.
Health isn’t just about diet and exercise; it’s about the overlooked aspects of life - sleep, stress management, social connection, and even financial well-being. Bio-individuality reminds us that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s about learning what works for you. This gives you autonomy, resilience and the confidence to trust yourself and make thoughtful decisions that align with your needs. When you’re healthy and energized, you’re in a better position to continue staying aware of your triggers, interrupt unhealthy patterns, and make choices that support your growth.
It takes courage to step outside these societal norms, but history shows how one person can create a ripple effect that changes everything. Martin Luther King, for example, didn’t conform to the status quo - he stood out and transformed the course of history. Going against the norm isn’t about being difficult; it’s about elevating your life and inspiring others to do the same.
Where do you start? For one, being honest with yourself and stepping outside of the fear. Look at the intersection of what aligns with you and the healthy possibilities that excite you. Focus on those priorities and start experimenting. Health is a journey of continuous growth and learning - every day and every year brings new challenges. Just as life changes, so do you. Stay curious, stay aware, and embrace the ongoing process of discovering what makes you thrive.
