If you’re a Millennial (or younger), I have some news that might be very distressing for you. No doubt you’ve watched plenty of shows and movies about accepting your true identity or listened to music about loving who you are or seen all the ads promising to help you become your own individual (generally by drinking the world’s most popular soda or wearing clothes mass-produced in China). You can’t go anywhere without seeing this message in one form or another. I was in the bathroom at a coffee shop the other day, where the place, looking for new employees at this particular link of the megachain, promised me it was dedicated to helping its workers become their “most authentic selves.” I get why they do it. It has appeal with my generation. We’ve been told for as long as I can remember that we are all unique, special, destined for great things and bright futures and perfect happiness, that all we need to do is live according to our authentic selves. Instead we got depression and anxiety and discord and violence. Because there’s a big problem (and you might want to brace yourself, because this is the part that may sting a little): your authentic self kinda sucks.