Picking up the habit of journaling (or blogging) again can help you get back in touch with yourself and learn more about the person you’ve become.Ī journal can help with self-reflection, but it can also serve a more practical purpose. If you kept a journal in adolescence, you might remember how it helped you explore your dreams and emotions. Beyond teaching you more about yourself, taking safe risks may boost your self-esteem. If you feel nervous, try to think of how proud and accomplished you’ll feel afterward. They might not be quite the same, but they can often teach you enough to know whether you’d like to continue pursuing the hobby.Įxploring new hobbies, especially ones you’ve never tried before, can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, especially if you go for the more adventurous options. If you can’t get to a class in person, try online tutorials.
Check your local library or other community centers for free or low-cost adult learning classes. Maybe you’ve always had an interest in artistic pursuits but never attempted anything after a college ceramics class. You won’t know what you enjoy until you give it a shot, right? One good way to begin figuring this out? Do something new and totally different. That’s OK! If you haven’t done much for yourself in a long time, you might not remember what you used to enjoy. If you get stuck, it can help to think back to a time when you felt fulfilled and happy and consider what contributed. The answers to these questions can give you a starting place.
You don’t need to begin with a complete picture - after all, your journey is all about discovering what the full picture is. Without a clear idea of the things that matter to you or the person you hope to become, though, you’ll continue living for other people instead of yourself.
Many people end up defining themselves by their relationships with others or the things they’ve always done, never considering the possibility of anything different. If that’s the case, you might not have given your true self much thought. Maybe your life has gone pretty smoothly according to guidelines parents, teachers, friends, and others have recommended. There’s no better time for self-exploration than the present, so here are some tips to get you started. Self-discovery might sound like a big, intimidating concept, but it’s really just a process of: If you’ve reached a point in life where you find yourself asking, “Who am I, really?” some self-discovery can help you get to know yourself a little better.
But a life that’s nothing more than a series of going through the same motions usually doesn’t provide much enjoyment. But awareness of these characteristics can give you plenty of insight into your inner self.ĭay-to-day priorities are important, certainly. Have you ever stopped to consider exactly what you want from life? Maybe you’ve taken this first step toward self-discovery, but haven’t uncovered a path toward achieving your main goals.ĭreams, personal values, talents, even your personality traits may not always seem to matter much in the rush of daily life. Share on Pinterest Rafael Elias/Getty Images