Living Authentic means being who you are in spite of the "smarter options" and people telling you how you should live. When living authentically, you are not looking for sympathy, validation and approval of others since you are comfortable with who you are.

https://www.powerofpositivity.com/habits-become-authentic-self/#:~:text=%2010%20Habits%20To%20Develop%20If%20You%20Want,The%20past%20is%20the%20past%20%E2%80%93...%20More%20

https://www.learning-mind.com/how-to-find-your-authentic-self-questions/