Reconnect with the Childlike Joy in You: How to Live Fully and Connect with Others Deeply
- Actors Academy Finland
- Feb 6
- 4 min read
Do you ever feel like you’re performing for the world instead of living for yourself? Maybe you find yourself people-pleasing, hiding your true feelings, or pretending to be “okay” when you’re not.
Deep down, most of us feel it: the fear of not belonging, of not being accepted. We want to be seen, liked, and understood, but when we find it hard to be honest with ourselves, how can anyone truly see us?
This matters because living inauthentically comes at a cost:
You may feel anxious, disconnected, or burned out from constantly performing and trying to fit in.
Relationships can feel shallow or frustrating because others aren’t connecting with the real you.
Opportunities in work, creativity, or personal growth may pass you by because fear or self-doubt holds you back.
On the other hand, choosing to live authentically has life-changing benefits:
You feel lighter, freer, and more confident in who you are.
You connect with others on a deeper, more meaningful level.
Instead of constantly trying to fit in, you can experience what true belonging feels like.
You make decisions that align with your true values and passions.
Everyday life feels richer, more alive, and less stressful because you’re no longer performing.
This is for anyone who wants to stop living behind a mask and start living fully, whether in relationships, work, creativity, or just in your own skin.
Why Authenticity Can Feel Hard
From childhood, most of us learn to put on masks: to fit in, to be “acceptable,” or to avoid judgment. We hide our curiosity, excitement, sadness, and joy, fearing that being ourselves is too much or won’t be enough. Over time, these habits of self-protection can feel automatic, and it’s easy to lose sight of our natural instincts, our passions, and even our basic joy.
The good news is that authenticity is a skill you can practice. With small, consistent steps, you can reconnect with yourself, feel more present, and create deeper connections with others.
Simple Daily Practices to Feel More Like Yourself
Authenticity doesn’t require special talent, it starts with small habits. Here are a few ways to bring more honesty and presence into your daily life:
Pause and notice: Spend five minutes each day checking in with yourself. What are you feeling? What’s happening in your body? Writing it down can help you notice patterns and understand yourself better.
Respond, don’t perform: In conversations, pay attention to the other person. Respond from curiosity instead of habit or what you think is expected.
Notice your masks: Are there situations where you act a certain way to be liked or accepted? Ask yourself what you truly feel, and consider how you could respond differently.
Note: Offer a huge gratitude for yourself on the awareness you are connecting to and developing, and meet yourself with curiosity and a lot of compassion with anything new that comes to you.
Even small daily actions like these slowly train you to be more present and authentic.
Exercise: Reconnect with Your Five-Year-Old Self
One of the most powerful ways to reconnect with your authenticity is to remember your younger self, the version of you that was less filtered, less afraid, and full of curiosity.
Here’s a simple exercise you can try today:
Ask yourself: What would my five-year-old self want to tell me today?
Take a few moments to imagine that child. What would they remind you to do or feel? Maybe they’d say:
Play more, laugh more, explore freely
Speak your truth without worrying about what others think
Pay attention to your emotions and let them guide you
Spend time with people who encourage to express yourself freely
Write down whatever comes up. What would that child be proud of? What might they wish you could change? Reflecting like this helps you reconnect with your natural instincts, curiosity, and joy, making it easier to act and respond authentically in your everyday life.
Taking Authenticity Even Deeper
In addition to your own daily practice, now there is an opportunity to work with this theme in a very powerful, immersive and supported way, live at the studio.
On February 18–19, 2026, Nita Arpiainen brings her Authentic Me Meisner Technique Workshop to Helsinki. Across two evenings, participants will explore:
How to connect with natural feelings and impulses
How to truly listen and respond to others
Tools to express yourself confidently, freely, and spontaneously
Techniques not only for actors, but for anyone wanting to live more authentically
This workshop is about learning to trust yourself, and connecting honestly, skills that carry into relationships, work, creativity, and everyday life. Remember that you are fully welcome to arrive as you are, with no previous experience required by any means. It’s a safe space to explore and you’re allowed to move with the work based on your own needs.
Seats are limited, so this is your opportunity to take a practical step toward being more yourself.
Every Step Counts
Wherever you are right now in your journey, just remember your work matters. In a fast paced world we might expect immediate results, but the truth is, these things take time. They are life-long processes, where each step matters. Every step you take towards authenticity creates lasting transformation in your life and relationships.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
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