Discovering Your True Self: A Journey of Self-Exploration
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Chapter 1: Understanding Your Identity
Your job title does not encapsulate your identity. Instead, it merely reflects the roles and responsibilities you fulfill within an organization.
Photo by Felicia Buitenwerf on Unsplash
Gaining clarity about “who you are” and “what you stand for” requires deep introspection and attentiveness to your thoughts, feelings, values, and actions. Elements such as your life experiences, upbringing, culture, beliefs, dreams, passions, and hobbies contribute to your unique identity.
So, how can you embark on the journey of self-discovery? Understanding your true self is a process that can span months or even years, depending on the depth of exploration you choose. Here are several approaches that have aided me in identifying my values, beliefs, and passions.
I have shared my personal journey in my “About Me” section.
Section 1.1: The Power of Journaling
Journaling stands out as a valuable tool for self-exploration. It allows you to organize your thoughts and emotions, leading to a clearer mind. You don’t need any formal training to start journaling; simply express your feelings, aspirations, and reflections on events. Over time, you will recognize which experiences energize you and which ones drain you—energy often points to passion.
Section 1.2: Exploring Through Meditation
Basic and advanced meditation techniques can reveal much about your inner self. Meditation encourages you to observe your thoughts and feelings as if watching people and cars on a bustling street. I particularly enjoy yoga, which combines physical exercise, meditation, and breathing practices.
Subsection 1.2.1: The Dot Picture Game
Have you ever participated in a dot picture game?
In this game, you connect dots on a page to reveal a hidden image. Similarly, our lives resemble this game; we interact with different aspects of our existence, and eventually, the bigger picture comes into focus. Last year, I documented significant events from my life in a journal, leading to the realization that writing consistently brought me joy. This discovery sparked my passion for storytelling, ultimately leading to the creation of my podcast focused on people's journeys.
Chapter 2: Identifying Core Values
Your core values play a crucial role in shaping your preferences, what you advocate for, and what you choose to let go of. By identifying these values, you’ll find connections to your deeper identity. Numerous resources are available to help you define your core values; one that I found particularly helpful is Lyn’s guide, “Defining Your List of Values and Beliefs.”
This video, titled "How To Know Yourself - 6 Ways To Know Who You Are," offers valuable insights into self-discovery.
Section 2.1: Utilizing Personality Tests
Taking personality assessments can provide clarity regarding your behavioral traits. While personality may not fully define “who you are,” these tests can reveal essential information about your behavioral patterns, motivations, and reactions to various situations. Tools such as 16 Personalities, Myers-Briggs, and DISC can be quite enlightening.
Section 2.2: The Role of Coaching
Engaging with a coach can be a challenging but rewarding process. A good coach will help you uncover your emotions and thoughts. My own experience with coaching—led by Nikki Trotter—helped me navigate feelings of confusion regarding my aspirations and career path. It was through this process that I learned to value my own needs and recognize what brings me fulfillment.
I highly recommend considering coaching. Many organizations offer employee assistance programs (EAP), which provide initial sessions that can help you begin this journey.
Subsection 2.2.1: Recommended Resources
A few invaluable resources to assist you on your path include:
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: This book beautifully illustrates the importance of pursuing your dreams and listening to your heart.
The video, "How to Know Yourself More Deeply - 5 ways to discover our true self & understand who we truly are," complements this exploration of identity.
- Five Minute Journal App: This app allows for daily entries and reflections, and although it has transitioned to a subscription model, it remains a great tool for self-reflection.
In conclusion, the quest to discover “who you are” and “what you stand for” is a lengthy and profound journey. Your profession is merely one aspect of your holistic identity; your unique experiences and attributes define you. Nurture your feelings, thoughts, values, actions, and energy.
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