An Electronic Mental Health Newsletter from Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D., P.A. & Associates                              Volume 19, Number 2

Today, we live in a world where there is constant pressure to follow others, to believe as others want you to believe, and to conform to some influencer’s point of view. Whether it be through social media, politics, television, and/or podcasts, there is a great de-emphasis on being an individual and being oneself.

Being yourself is both a challenge and a gift. It means embracing your uniqueness, staying true to your values, and expressing your thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment. However, people who express their point of view are often quickly criticized by some person or group who does not agree with them.

Our true self is our core identity. It is who we really are and the values we live by. It’s being free of society’s judgments and social pressures and our own self-judgments and self-criticisms. Our true self is who we really are without the masks we present to the world.

Being your true self means you accept your strengths and weaknesses. You stop trying to please everyone by pretending to be someone else which often leads to anxiety and dissatisfaction.

To know your true self, consider:

What makes up your essence?

What is important to you in life?

How do you make choices?

Do you think in terms of I and me or you and them?

What values do you hold dearly, and do you live by them?

Are you able to disagree with a group?

 
Knowing oneself and actually being oneself can be a very difficult task. However, the rewards of personal satisfaction, achievement, and inner peace can be huge.

Authenticity is the foundation of genuine happiness and meaningful relationships, as it allows people to connect with you for who you truly are, rather than a facade.

You can find Dr. Kimmel’s latest blog, Nova Music Festival Exhibition, here .

We hope you find the following information helpful and interesting. We also thank you for reading our e-Letters and for the comments and messages of support we’ve received.

KimmelPsychology is available for anyone in need of support, counseling, professional coaching, and psychological assessments. We practice telehealth and safe, in-office visits. For an appointment, call us at 954 755-2885. Se Habla Español.

We offer the following information:

BEING YOUR TRUE SELF!

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind…Bernard M. Baruch

WHAT TO KNOW!

Our true self is our core sense of identity, who we are without group affiliations, self-judgments, and self-criticisms

Being yourself can be very rewarding but also very difficult, especially in times of pressure to conform or to belong to some group

Knowing who you truly are allows you to maintain your values, withstand criticism from others, and be able to reach your goals

Being yourself is a continuous developmental process of growing, knowing, experiencing, learning, and standing up for oneself when challenged

Being yourself means being confident and trusting in yourself even when you are disagreeing with others

As you evolve and strive to become a better version of yourself, expect that you may outgrow others who continue to relate to you as they did in the past

WHAT TO DO!

Embrace your uniqueness as it is your strength and not something to hide

Trust your instincts; do what feels right for you rather than trying to be like others

Stop seeking approval since you can’t please everyone and that’s okay

Accept your flaws and strengths and don’t let your faults define your self-worth

Express yourself freely without fear of judgment or rejection

Surround yourself with supportive people who appreciate you for who you are

Stop comparing yourself to others; focus on your own growth and progress

Set personal goals that align with your values and not what society expects

Be authentic with yourself and don’t pretend to be someone you’re not

Practice self-care by taking care of your mental and physical well-being

Treat yourself as well as you would treat your best friend

Seek professional help if you are unable to overcome insecurities, cannot improve your self-esteem, or lack confidence in yourself

 
WE PRACTICE BOTH IN-OFFICE AND TELEHEALTH; WE CAN HELP!
Call us at 954 755-2885 or email us at [email protected]
                               Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D. P.A. and Associates
                                5551 N University Drive, Suite 202
                                Coral Springs FL 33067

As always, we are interested in your thoughts. If you would like to respond to this e-Letter, email your comments to [email protected] and we will publish them next month.

Till March…

The information provided in this electronic newsletter is not a substitute for professional treatment. It is the opinions of the writers and is provided solely for educational purposes. For mental health care, seek a qualified professional.

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Copyright © 2025 by Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D. P.A. and Associates.