Authentic self Quote by John Bradshaw
““Because the exposure of self to self lies at the heart of neurotic shame, escape from the self is necessary. The escape from self is accomplished by creating a false self. The false self is always more or less than human. The false self may be a perfectionist or a slob, a family Hero or a family Scapegoat. As the false self is formed, the authentic self goes into hiding. Years later the layers of defense and pretense are so intense that one loses all conscious awareness of who one really is.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Healing the Shame that Binds You, John Bradshaw, 1988
People hide their true selves behind masks to avoid shame, creating exaggerated personas that conceal authenticity.
In simple terms: We hide behind false selves to escape shame.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and dismantle your false self.
Themes
shame
identity
self-awareness
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
psychological
advice
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- family gatherings
- personal reflection
- career decisions
Key Concepts
psychology
defense mechanisms
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- What masks are you wearing?
- How does shame shape your behavior?
A Different Perspective
False selves can become so ingrained they hinder growth and relationships.
![“We [Facebook] really believe in enabling people to be their authentic selves on the web, and enabling people to communicate directly with each other in a very personal way.” quote by Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c55/sheryl-sandberg-439_authentic-self_we-facebook-really-believe-in-enabling-p_75190.jpg)
