Is Authenticity Performative?

Caroline Utingzer – Good As It Gets

https://www.instagram.com/primordial_soupp/

I’d like to think I’ve earned a little recognition for my contributions to aesthetics—after all, I was voted “Most Aesthetic Feed” and “Most Likely to Be a YouTuber or Fashion Designer.” Not a bad résumé for a high schooler, right? (Do not answer that or ask my dad). It’s safe to say that, while I’ve gained social connections that I truly value, I also realized that somewhere along the way, I unknowingly shaped an identity that might just be pushing me further into isolation—and to put it blatantly, narcissism.

Trilling explores how an early western culture, take the Renaissance or shakespearean era for example. The most prized virtue was sincerity and being honest with yourself. What you presented to others was valued tough by the 18th and 20th century a greater value was placed on authenticity. So not just being honest in the way you interact with others but being true to your inner self. And whilst the idea of authenticity can seem freeing and liberating in our society trilling argues that authenticity has become a cultural ideal which can turn authenticity into a performance.

Take social media as an example. We often see people cultivating an image of authenticity–posting about their "real" selves, creating messy personas, but ultimately these are still carefully curated. The image of authenticity has become a narrow template to follow. And this is where the danger lies: the pursuit of becoming “your true self” quickly transforms into a performative act. The desire to “be authentic” is no longer about truly connecting with others, but about conforming to an aesthetic, a socially acceptable version of what authenticity should look like.

So, how does this lead to narcissism…the excessive admiration of one’s self and appearance? Authenticity, when viewed as performance, relies on others for validation. It becomes less about personal expression and more about showing off vulnerability, or "rawness," in a way that earns praise. What we end up with is not real connection, but a performance that reinforces a sense of self-importance.

But then, is narcissism really a bad thing? I recently came across articles that frame narcissism differently–arguing that narcissism, when channeled properly, can actually be a source of confidence and self-belief. The idea is this: if you don’t believe in yourself, who will? If you don’t trust your abilities, how can you expect others to? I think I am understanding that narcissism in this sense isn't about self-absorption–it’s about cultivating confidence to achieve success, both personally and professionally. The challenge, however, is finding the balance: when narcissism becomes self-serving rather than self-empowering, it can become toxic.

Ultimately, the journey toward authenticity isn’t simple. It's a delicate balancing act. The pursuit of genuine self-expression can easily slide into a performance for others' approval. But I hope when done right, when narcissism is used to fuel personal growth and confidence, it can be a powerful tool for success and connection. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352673422000622 

Perhaps if I spent my hours doing my “anthropogenic studies” in scrolling social media on learning to cartwheel or swim or bike, I could have participated in a triathlon by now. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…but that line of thinking feels like a dangerous slope, doesn’t it? The constant pressure to do more, be more, when in reality, the time is always ours to take on a triathlon—or anything else, for that matter—whenever we’re ready. Anyway…