Authenticity is a byproduct of feeling safe. When we have a secure "holding" (Attachment) and the freedom to experiment (Play), we no longer need to hide behind a mask. We become "real" to ourselves and others.
This is a defensive mask. It develops when a child has to constantly adapt to the needs or moods of a caregiver. While it helps us navigate social rules (politeness, professionalism), an overdeveloped False Self leads to a feeling of unreality or "going through the motions." The Takeaway Attachment, Play, and Authenticity: A Winnicott...
Donald Winnicott, a giant of pediatric psychoanalysis, believed that the "true self" isn't found through rigid discipline, but through the freedom to be spontaneous. 1. The Holding Environment (Attachment) Authenticity is a byproduct of feeling safe
When a parent looks at a baby with joy, the baby sees themselves reflected as something valuable. This secure attachment gives the child the "courage to be." 2. The Power of Play This is a defensive mask