Radical Authenticity, Narrative Rewrites, and Making Sense
Wednesday Wisdoms for April 23, 2025
Mind Candy is a newsletter on practical philosophy and human flourishment—aka how to live “the good life.” Each month we tackle a new theme.
This month we’re exploring the theme of Story.
Welcome to Wednesday Wisdom, our 3x3 Newsletter where I distill worldly advice for better living with 3 quotes, 3 observations, and 3 questions.
Radical Authenticity
🤨 Quote
“Above all, in order to be, never try to seem.”
Albert Camus
Source: The Existentialist’s Survival Guide
Observation 🧐
We spend our entire existence fighting the pull to be authentic while the world works to put us in a box.
Ironically enough, the world both wants and rejects authentic individuals. This is why the world wants people who think outside the box but are simultaneously trying to stifle them from doing so.
Our task in life is to strip our minds of the stories the world tells of us—of what we can and can’t do, of what we should and should not be.
Deep within us is who we are and we should expose that to the world. But the world will try and reject it, quiet it, tell us we’re out of step.
But then something strange happens, we break through their stories, we become ourselves, and in turn, stand anew before the world, exposing our naked existence to it.
Now, rather than tear our authentic self down, the world builds us up, cheers us on, tells us how amazing we are.
We must write our own stories, we must break free of the chains that bind us and instead rise up and be who we wish to be.
🤔 Question
What about life prevents you from being your authentic self? If that was to be removed, how would your life look differently?
Narrative Rewrites
🤨 Quote
“Choose not to be harmed — and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed — and you haven’t been.”
Marcus Aurelius
Source: Meditations
Observation 🧐
Each and every day, we tell ourselves stories that either empower and limit our potential in life.
I’m not successful enough;
I haven’t found my place;
I don’t get the advantages everyone else does.
These are all stories that build who we are. They determine how we think, act, and treat ourselves.
But they are just stories, ones that we can adjust to better support our desires and goals in life.
I’m successful in my own right;
I am searching for my place in life;
I will make my own advantages to get what I want.
The change in mindset is simple, but it isn’t easy. When we perform these narrative rewrites we are attempting to rewrite stories wired into the fabric of our being, stories that may have been with us for long periods of time. It therefore takes repetitive practice to see results.
But results do come, as do the additional benefits of showering ourselves with care, grace, and humility.
🤔 Question
What underlying theme do you tell yourself that drives any limiting beliefs you may have?
Beneath the paywall this week we explore the wisdom of Donald Miller. Click below to support and get access.