It takes a lifetime to discover your genuine self. It does not happen in a single day or epiphany, yet it is still worthwhile to pursue. When you discover your true self through self-discovery, you know what you're supposed to do and are no longer fearful. You can overcome anything if you rise up with authenticity.
What is your authentic self? Is it the person you used to be? When were you the happiest? When did you learn that crucial life lesson? When did you reach that goal? When did you assist that stranger? Or when you performed in accordance with your ideals regardless of what others expect?
The answer is that all of these elements combine to form your genuine self. The key is not to find your true self. It's the act of remembering.
Here are some self-exploration techniques to get you started.
1. Act Authentically
You become your genuine self when you act authentically. Instead of being concerned, you are traveling with wisdom. People come to you because they know you're trustworthy. You are flawed but tenacious. You are sufficient as you are, where you are, and with what you have.
When you are real, you make decisions based on your personality. When you stay loyal to yourself, you discover that nothing can bring you down. That's because you're not looking for external approval, and knowing what you have allows you to accomplish more with it.
Because you care more about the right things when you act truly, you are also behaving in the best interests of everyone around you.
2. Use Self-Affirmations
"I am sufficient," you say. I am powerful. I am not a victim; I am a victor. I've got what it takes. I will triumph. I shall persevere even when it appears impossible. I am not flawless, but I am human. I am permitted to relax rather than quit. I'm not the only one. I'm ok. I am thankful. "I'm at ease."
You accept these statements as true when you utter them. You become them after feeling them. Finding your true self through self-exploration leads to the discovery of your true self.
When you tell the world who you are, roadblocks and opposition will fall away. When you are confident, you perceive opportunities, lessons, and knowledge. It makes you proactive rather than reactive.
3. Confront Your Inner Critic
Nothing would ever get done if everyone only listened to the negative voice in their thoughts. If Einstein had listened to his teacher who once told him that he didn't have what it took, he would not have discovered the Theory of Relativity and much more. The world would be deprived of that one person who could have made such a difference.
Fear of the unknown, of not being good enough, or of loss and lack fuels the inner critic. Fear, on the other hand, does not have to dictate what happens. By not listening to your inner critic, you can overcome fear.
Instead, acknowledge your inner critic and add, "I think what COULD happen..." to turn a negative situation into a positive one. Fear can remind you to wear your seatbelt, practice before performing, make wise decisions, and so on, but it does not have to control you.
When you meet your inner critic, it may not go away altogether, but you can reassure it and eventually release it.
4. Don’t Hide Your Imperfections
It's simple to put on a mask and declare, "This is who I want people to think I am." Instead, it's more satisfying to remove the mask and declare, "This is who I truly am, and I am proud of that person."
You can live freely by owning who you are if you engage in self-exploration. This will make you more accountable and influential. People will listen when you tell your story and speak your truth, and they will be motivated to find their own truth. Then, self-discovery can spread.
5. Find Who You Are NOT
Find out who you are NOT if you want to know who you are. What aspects of your past have shaped your present? What about your culture, religion, family, friends, neighbors, and so on? What exactly are you and what exactly are they? You'll never be finished learning yourself, but you can utilize differentiation to become independent by distinguishing yourself from what isn't you by tracing the sources of your beliefs.
When you discriminate, you do not disregard or minimize the impact of previous events. You simply become aware of it, and what you are aware of, you can bring into the light of acceptance, where you may alter it.
What are your distinct objectives, interests, values, and ideas? Begin by determining what you are not. Self-exploration is a voyage of discovering how and by what you have been shaped and molded throughout your life.
It's fine that things inspired you, but have you ever wondered why? If you can answer that question, you can begin to discover who you are and break free from what you aren't.
6. Log Your Life
Journaling is an excellent tool for self-discovery. All you have to do is write down your thoughts, whether free writing or responding to prompts. If you can't think of anything to write about, start with this: Make a note of your mood and the date.
What is it that makes you feel better or worse? What are your stressors? What makes you successful?
When you figure out what makes you tick, you can better manage yourself and your life. You have a secure zone where you can be yourself, and you only share entries if you are comfortable doing so. You can pour it out on a daily basis or just check-in.
You can also notice what's going on around you, allowing your thoughts to wander and flow. Allow for pauses and moments of introspection before returning to your writing. Allow the conclusion to emerge naturally when you feel you have nothing left to say.
If you keep a log, you can learn how your mind works and identify unhealthy patterns, which will help you reclaim control of your life.
7. Focus on What Is Right With You
Perhaps your mind ruminates on what you dislike about yourself and what you believe others dislike. Perhaps you believe that opportunities pass you by because you are unworthy. If this describes you, know that you are not alone. Everyone has a negativity bias, which means they prefer to believe more in the bad than the good at first.
Recognizing that your mind may be deceiving you is the first step toward seeing the truth. When you focus on what is best for you, you combat the thoughts that tell you you have nothing to contribute. You have more influence over your situation if you can control what you think.
Have you ever complimented yourself? Why not give it a shot right now? You can personalize it by saying something like, "I like how you care for other people." You have a fantastic attitude. When horrible things happen, you always rise. "I adore you."
8. Find Solace in Solitude
Unplugging and getting away can be beneficial for self-exploration. You will feel and be better if you go outside into nature and invest in yourself.
Make time to meditate and focus solely on yourself, rather than the world around you. Pay attention to your own thoughts rather than what others are saying. When you check-in, you re-discover yourself.
Recharging may not change everything or put an end to the challenging situation, but it can help you acquire the mindset and energy to face it with inner strength.
9. Practice Self-Care
When people try to relax, they frequently experience guilt and anxiety. You may be on vacation, but your mind is not. Allowing yourself to relax will allow you to fight your fights more effectively and dive deeper into self-exploration.
Self-care will see more breakthroughs than self-sabotage. It's not only about pampering yourself when you practice self-care. It is taking the time to do what is necessary in order to be who you need to be.
Each person defines self-care differently. It might be utilizing essential oils and taking a bath for some. Others may see it as a walk into nature, away from your issues and troubles. Know that you deserve self-care in whatever form it takes for you.
10. Try Mindfulness
Being present and at the moment is an excellent technique to train your mind to avoid catastrophizing. When you fail, you don't say to yourself, "I'm a failure." Mindfulness assists you in stopping self-judgment by simply observing your thoughts and interrupting negative thought patterns.
Consider your ideas to be like leaves blowing in the breeze. Place each thought on a leaf and let it pass. You do not need to be attached to each one. Instead, practice deep breathing, which activates the Vagus nerve and relieves tension and stress. As you exhale, note how the leaves move away from you, until they are in the distance.
When your supervisor is talking over you and you want to raise your voice, you can be aware. You can be attentive with your children when they ask for their sibling's toy and you just want to give in to put an end to it. You may stay mindful even in the most stressful moments, giving you a chance to reassess the situation.
Whatever the situation, you calm down so that you can act with a clearer head and make the best decisions.
Conclusion
Self-discovery looks different for everyone, but authenticity always leads you back to yourself. When figuring out who you are, you must start with what is important to you. You must examine your values, which will provide you with the criterion for life.
