Authentic self Quote by John Bradshaw
““To be severed and alienated within oneself also creates a sense of unreality. One may have an all-pervasive sense of never quite belonging, of being on the outside looking in. The condition of inner alienation and isolation is also pervaded by a low-grade chronic depression. This has to do with the sadness of losing one’s authentic self. Perhaps the deepest and most devastating aspect of neurotic shame is the rejection of the self by the self.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Healing the Shame that Binds You by John Bradshaw, 1988
Inner alienation creates a feeling of unreality, chronic low‑grade depression, and self‑rejection.
In simple terms: Feeling detached from self leads to sadness and shame.
Key Takeaway
Reconnect with your authentic self to heal.
Themes
psychology
self
identity
shame
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
psychological
motivational
When to use this quote
- therapy
- journaling
- support groups
Key Concepts
self‑acceptance
mental health
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- What parts of yourself feel most alienated?
- How can you nurture self‑compassion?
A Different Perspective
Self‑rejection can be reinforced by external judgments, complicating healing.
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![“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)
