Human beings are social beings, and having a sociable and active life improves our emotional well-being.

Unfortunately, not all our interpersonal relationships are authentic, as some are complicated and can cause us emotional damage. However, there is one type of person who really facilitates the path to a healthy relationship, and that is genuine individuals.

Genuine people: an endangered species

It is not easy to cross paths with genuine and authentic people, those people who go in front and you know they will not go in the back if they have a problem with you at some point .

Human beings are uncritical of themselves when it comes to valuing themselves, and it is easier for us to blame others when something about us is not to our liking. To avoid this, we need to know ourselves, be objective and self-reflective.

Genuine people have reflected on who they are and therefore know that they are not perfect. Nor do they try to show themselves as someone they are not, unlike some individuals who pretend to be what people want them to be. Moreover, genuine people often say what they think without trying to offend, because being false is beyond them.

Characteristics of Genuine People

Surrounding yourself with authentic people is good, because they are people who know themselves and express themselves in an assertive way. Whether at work, in friendship or in life in general, relating to genuine people will allow you to connect with them quickly.

But what are genuine people like? What habits or traits do genuine individuals have? In the following lines you will find a list with 10 keys to identify this kind of people.

1. they don’t care what people think of them

Genuine people are not concerned with what others think of them . They are what they really are. They know that they will be liked by some and disliked by others. It is the law of life and they don’t care. Also, these people make decisions based on their convictions, even though they know they will not be liked by some. However, whenever necessary, after having analyzed the situation and thinking that their decision is not harmful to other individuals.

Since genuine people don’t care how others think of them, they don’t try to impress others, because they impress themselves, and that’s enough for them. Genuine people see themselves coming, and that is to be welcomed.

2. are open-minded

Genuine people are open-minded in the sense that they do not judge people and do not pretend to make judgments about them based on prejudices and stereotypes. Genuine people always say their opinion, but that doesn’t mean they don’t value the opinions of others.

3. look you in the eye with sincerity

And of course, when someone takes your opinion into account but says his from the heart, he feels comfortable . Genuine people, because they do not pretend to show what they are not and do not need to please anyone but themselves, can look you in the eye with sincerity.

4. Self-development

Genuine people strive for personal self-development , because they are not only authentic with others, but they are authentic with themselves. They know themselves thoroughly and, although they may fear at times, face their problems with courage. They are individuals who do not like to lie to anyone, least of all to themselves. Also, because they do not need the approval of others, their strength comes from within and not from what others think of them.

5. They are generous

Authentic people have good backgrounds and are therefore generous and kind . When you have nothing to hide, you open up to the world, care about others and show your best side. Authentic people tend to be socially proactive, and are often interested in issues such as politics.

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6. They are not motivated by material things

As said, authentic people seek their own personal development and therefore their source of motivation is internal, not external. Capitalism and materialism do not go with their values . Their happiness comes from within as do their pleasures. In other words, they enjoy simple pleasures and are not motivated by material things, for example, having a high-end car, the latest model mobile, etc.

7. Treat others with respect

When someone has reflected intensely on who they are and what they want in this life, they are usually an empathic person. Because they don’t want their own suffering or that of others. Their behaviour is governed by values such as honesty, respect, cooperation … That is why authentic people, in the long run, keep their dignity intact.

8. You can trust them

If they are your partner or your friend, real people are certainly a gift from heaven . You know that they will not be unfaithful, nor will they lie to you, unless it is to protect your emotional health. The values that govern their behavior, and which I have discussed in the previous point, are a solid foundation for trust. They will never do what they don’t want to be done.

9. Are mentally strong

By not needing the approval of others and basing well-being on their own inner motivation, these types of individuals are emotionally strong . When you are genuine and follow your own heart’s path, you are hardly offended by others’ criticism. This makes a genuine person an emotionally strong and self-confident individual.

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10. They are not hypocrites

They are people with strong roots in healthy values, and therefore, are faithful to themselves . The confidence they have in themselves makes them say what they have to say, regardless of the opinion of others. They are people who speak clearly and do not promise. They are not hypocrites.