Kristin BentleyOwner, Ego Aesthetics · Owner and Operator of Ego Aesthetics

I’ve reached that age of authenticity .

25 Aug 2026 · 1 min

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1:03

In this personal monologue, Kristin Bentley reflects on reaching a point in her life—at age 52—where the effort of pretending to like, want, or be something she is not has become exhausting. She emphasizes that authenticity is not about having one's life fully figured out, but about being honest about one's current state. Bentley questions whether people would prefer to be liked for being authentic or for presenting a false version of themselves, inviting listeners to consider the value of being misunderstood for authenticity versus being accepted for a façade. The piece underscores ongoing self‑discovery, acceptance of continual change, and the courage to choose authenticity over conformity.

Chapters

I've reached the age where pretending is just exhausting. Pretending I like things when I don't, pretending I want things that I don't, pretending I'm okay when I'm not, and pretending I need to fit into someone else's idea of who I'm supposed to be. And honestly, I'd rather be misunderstood By being authentic than being someone I am not. I am still figuring myself out at the age of 52, and I'm still changing. I'm completely okay with that. Being authentic isn't about having yourself figured out. It's just about being honest about where you're at right now. Would you rather be liked Because you're authentic, or because you showed up as someone you're not? Which one would you rather have?