5. How to Share Authentically

At Heart On My Sleeve, authenticity is one of our core values. When it comes to storytelling, authenticity means being honest—not just about what you share, but how and why you share it. Sharing your lived experience in an authentic way requires clarity, self-awareness, and care. Here are some guiding principles to help you do that.

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Share With the Intent to Help

Yes, there are personal benefits to sharing your story—it can be cathartic, liberating, and even empowering. But when you're sharing in a broader or public context, the primary intent should be to help others.

That doesn’t mean you can’t want connection, community, or to be seen and understood. Those are very human desires. But if your motivation is primarily driven by a need for recognition, praise, or external validation, it might not be the right time to share. Check in with yourself honestly. Ask: Am I sharing to serve, or to be seen? There's no judgment here—just an invitation to get clear before you go public.

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Speak Your Truth

No two people experience life the same way. Your version of events is shaped by your perspective, and that’s okay. But when sharing, it’s important to own your interpretation by using first-person language. For example:

• “I experienced…”
• “I believed…”
• “I felt…”
• “I saw it this way…”

This keeps your storytelling grounded in your truth, without assuming it's the universal truth.

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Pay Attention to the Tone

Your story can be emotional, passionate, even funny—but ideally, it should come from a place of healing and integration, not rawness or blame.

If you notice yourself venting, blaming others, or painting yourself solely as a victim, that might be a sign you’re still processing the pain. And that’s okay—it just means you may want to wait a little longer before sharing widely. Authenticity includes strength, reflection, and acceptance.

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Tailor Your Story to the Audience

You don’t need to share everything with everyone. Being authentic doesn’t mean being unfiltered.

It’s wise to have audience-specific versions of your story. What you tell your closest friends or therapist might be very different from what you share at work or on social media. That’s not being dishonest—it’s being discerning.

Until you feel safe and grounded enough to tell the full version of your story to all people, it’s okay to set boundaries around what you share and with whom. Different layers for different circles.

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Final Thought: Authenticity Is a Practice

Sharing your story is not about perfection. It’s about being real—with yourself first, and then with others. When you share with compassion, self-awareness, and a desire to serve, your story becomes not just a personal truth—but a powerful tool for connection and change.