How to figure out who you are? Many people ask this question well into adulthood with established careers and many accomplishments.
Why is it that so many people have no idea who they are? Do you know who you are? This should be a fairly straightforward question to answer. This is a question that probably nags in your quiet time. And it does so because you aren’t completely sure who you are.
Knowing who you are allows you to live your life, not simply exist. Being aware of your identity is important because it affects your personal and professional relationships. It significantly impacts how people treat and interact with you.
By finding out the answer to your question, you can identify the life path that truly inspires you and enables you to live a fulfilling life instead of merely surviving.
If you are on a quest to discover who you are, this article will help you do just that. So, read on!
Here’s How To Figure Out Who You Are
Be clear about your values.
The values you have always guide you, motivate you, and influence your behavior. Your unique values are the most crucial aspect of your life because they determine how you will live. Your values are the cornerstone of your life. For many people, their personal values may include things like their family, friends, finances, or the welfare of others.
If you are unsure what your values are, ask yourself: What kind of person would you like to be? What do you admire in your role models? What motivates you to take action? When do you feel your most authentic self?
Take out a piece of paper and start writing down your core values.
Your values can be anything from family, respect, love, forgiveness, and honesty to joy, beauty, personal development, etc. It could be all of these things at once.
Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses.
You can start to understand what you do well and what needs improvement by making a list of your strengths and weaknesses where you need to improve. Finding out who you are can be an excellent place to start. When you write your inventory, use “I am” and “I want” statements to describe your strengths and areas for improvement.
You might list traits like “I am a good listener” and “I am always there for my friend” as strengths. You could list things like “I want to be a better son” and “I want to care less about other people’s validation” as areas that need improvement.
Get your trusted friends to help you.
You can ask your friends for their opinions on your strengths and areas for improvement to add to your list. Make sure the people you ask are familiar with you and can offer you constructive criticism. You don’t have to ask your friends for assistance with your list if you think it might hurt your feelings.
Reflect on your past.
Learning about your past is crucial to understanding who you are. It profoundly affects your future and shapes who you are today. Spend some time considering your past. Consider your childhood experiences and how they affected you.
Describe your upbringing.
What kind of relationship did you have with your parents?
Which kind of a child were you?
What most piqued your interest?
How did you get along with your siblings?
Were there any abusive or challenging interactions?
You can explore all these topics with a therapist, another mental health expert, or a sympathetic friend. You can better understand who you are today by looking back on your past; this understanding will help you define the person you want to be in the future.
Spend some time by yourself.
Making time for solitude will also give you a chance to engage in some self-reflection. You might even want to schedule some time out of your day to have the time and privacy to get to know yourself better.
Remember that you don’t have to use your alone time for reflection or meditation. Even if all you do is watch your favorite movie or do some light exercise, you can learn something new about yourself. Making time for yourself is crucial, so make the most of it. Often people disregard time and introspection in today’s culture. People have a tendency to look outward and observe their surroundings. It can be challenging to see yourself at times. It may affect your capacity to fulfill your needs in life.
Start journaling.
By keeping a journal, you can become more self-accountable, experience less stress, and effect positive change. Try to spend at least 20 minutes per day writing in your journal.
You could, for instance, jot down your thoughts at the end of each day when you’re upset or have a brilliant idea. Include your feelings about your life, your goals, and any concerns you have for the future.
When disoriented, you can review your journal and look for details that might help you reorient yourself. For instance, reading about something that made you happy might help you on a bad day.
Set small, realistic goals.
You can learn about your priorities and better understand who you are by deciding what you want to change about yourself. If you’ve identified areas where you want to improve, try giving yourself a modest goal. Consider what this goal says about you. What does it reveal about your character? Ensure that your objective is manageable and small. For instance, if you’ve resolved to be more assertive, make it a daily goal to stand up for yourself. This can be as simple as telling someone “No” or stating your dinner preference.
Put yourself to the test.
Do something because it scares or intimidates you that you would never do otherwise. Don’t let challenges slow you down. Start with smaller challenges instead, then progress to bigger ones. You might find that you have more grit than you realized, and you might even uncover a talent you were unaware you possessed.
For instance, you can approach and try to become friends with a new group of people, sign up for a 10K even though you’ve never run more than two miles, or take a break from Facebook for two weeks and see how that makes you feel.
Make a list of priorities.
These should be the issues that are most important to you. Sort the list according to priority. Take your time making a list because it will help you see what can give your life a sense of importance and meaning. The list might astound you.
Your friends, family, studies, particular classes, jobs, or skills are a few things you may value. Think about the value these things or people will bring to your life. Spend more time integrating them into your life.
Question yourself.
You might believe that your beliefs cannot be changed, but take a step back and consider the reasons behind your viewpoints. Also, you can become an inquisitive thinker by making an effort to question yourself constantly. You can discover who you are by being curious about yourself.
Take charge of your future.
It’s crucial to begin taking accountability for your actions. You must decide what you want your future to look like and take control of it. And you can either take charge of your life and effect change or sit around and wait for things to change. You might desire a family, a new home, or a better job. This is the time to start making plans for whatever you want to happen in the future.
Your future begins right now. Every choice will move you one step closer to realizing why you were put on this earth.
The ability to discern your true life purpose can be challenging. But it’s essential for obtaining the serenity that comes from realizing who you are inside. Otherwise, it’s simple to become frustrated and unappreciative.
Remember that you are constantly evolving.
Understand that your life may evolve over time based on your actions and choices. Try to accept your evolving identity and remember that these changes are a normal part of life.
The Ending Note
It is normal to wonder who you are even after accomplishing significant milestones. Sometimes, you get so caught up in life’s rat race that you cannot even take the time to get to know yourself better.
Figuring out your values, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, getting third-party insight from trusted friends, reflecting on your past, and spending time alone are ways to get to know your true self. Additional methods include setting realistic goals, journaling, stepping out of your comfort zone, and doing things you have been afraid of even trying before.
Last but not the least, you must learn to take charge of your life and understand that your identity is meant to evolve constantly.