Ah, authenticity. It gets chucked around a lot online, doesn’t it? 'Just be yourself!' they say. 'Show up as the real you!' they say. Which is all fine and dandy until you’re staring at your phone, feeling like you need to be bubbly, wise, open, vulnerable, relatable – and also remember to point in time to floating text bubbles.

Sound familiar? Yeah, me too.

Let’s talk about what being authentic actually means (and what it definitely doesn’t), why it can feel flippin' exhausting, and how to show up online in a way that’s real – without draining every ounce of your energy.

What authenticity actually is (and isn’t)

Being authentic doesn’t mean sharing your every thought, trauma or that enormous pile of laundry lurking just off camera. It doesn’t mean baring your soul at every opportunity or turning every minor inconvenience into a story about resilience.

Authenticity means:

• Showing up in a way that reflects your voice and values

• Being honest (not necessarily raw)

• Being consistent and trustworthy

Basically, it means being you. Not the polished, performance version of you. Not someone else you think you ‘should’ be. Just you – with your own tone, pace and personality.

And here’s the important bit: Your version of authentic won’t look like anyone else’s.

Why being 'authentic' can feel draining

Because trying to be all things to all people is a one-way ticket to burnout.

Social media encourages us to always be switched on – to be visible, personal, funny, honest, helpful, strategic, relatable, informative, inspiring... all at once. And if you’re trying to do that on top of running your actual business and living your actual life, it can be a lot.

Plus, the pressure to 'keep it real' can sometimes turn into oversharing or being more open than we’re comfortable with – which doesn’t feel authentic at all.

So how do we stop this from becoming exhausting?

Set boundaries to protect your energy

You don’t need to share everything. In fact, please don’t.

Here are some gentle-but-firm boundaries to consider:

• Keep some parts of your life private. Not everything needs to be turned into a metaphor for business. Your roast dinner doesn’t have to be content unless you want it to be.

• Don’t share in the middle of the mess. If something’s raw or emotional, give it space. You can always share it later – once it’s a scar, not a wound.

• Batch when you feel good. If you’re tired, grumpy, hangry or still fuming about an email from Brenda, it’s probably not the best time to create content. Catch yourself on a good day and get ahead.

• Let stories and captions be honest, not draining. You can be real without spilling every detail. A little humour and hindsight go a long way.

• Protect your posting mojo. Take breaks when you need to. There’s no medal for showing up 24/7.

What authentic content can look like

So how do you show up as yourself in a way that feels good?

• Share what feels easy. Wins, lessons, tips, behind-the-scenes bits – the things you enjoy talking about.

• Talk like a human. No need for your old-school telephone voice. Your audience wants you, not a corporate version of you.

• Don’t post just to please the algorithm. If you love a trend and it fits your tone, great. If not, skip it.

• Take breaks. Being real doesn’t mean being constantly online. Rest is allowed.

Remember, your people don’t need you to be perfect. They just need you to be consistent, clear, and helpful. No dancing, no sob stories (unless you’re up for it), and definitely no emotional hangovers.

You can show up online in a way that reflects who you are – without sharing everything, without pretending to be someone else, and without burning out.

Need a hand with content that feels more you?

I offer Content Power Hours where we can chat through your content, plan it out in a way that feels manageable, and find your comfortable groove. Or keep your eyes peeled for The One Where You Learn Instagram – my programme that takes the stress out of content planning.

Got questions? Just drop me a DM over on Instagram @heleninthedetail.