5 Tips to Get to Know Yourself
11:53 PMI've always envied those people that seem to have everything figured out. That make plans for the future because they know what they want out of their lives. I've never been like that. Every decision I make is hesitant and I never know if it's taking me in the right direction. It's probably because I don't know what the "right direction" is. What do I want to do? What am I passionate about? What am I good at? What was I put on this Earth to do? These are all questions I've never been able to answer, mostly because I don't know myself well enough. For the last year or so, I've really been trying to understand myself more and I thought I would share 5 tips on how to get to know yourself.
1. Take time for yourself:
This is probably the most important tip. In order to get to know yourself, you have to spend time alone. When you're with other people it's easy to 'follow' them. Stay on trend, watch/wear/listen to things because they're "cool" or because your friends like them. When we're with other people we feel as though we have to live up to specific 'social expectations'. This limits us and forces us to stay in a sort of 'social category' in which we might not even belong. So get away from the social expectation and see what it is you're actually drawn to, without the worry of other people being judgmental.
2. Explore
Whether it be traveling the world, reading new books or just browsing the web, exploring can open your eyes and let you discover so many new things. You haven't figured out your dream job yet? Well maybe it's because you don't even know it exists! Explore and learn new things, create new interests from the knowledge you acquire and add things to your bucket list. Finding out what other people (both from around the world and around your corner) like to do can give you inspiration to start new projects and discover new passions.
3. Say yes more
Okay, so you've spent the last couple of days surfing the net and you've found so many new cool things, but they're different and you're scared to try them. Maybe you should just stay in your little bubble where it's safe and comfortable. You're right. No. Say yes to more things. Don't be afraid to try something new and step out your comfort zone. You might discover that the world has amazing things to offer. If you don't try something you're never going to know if you like it or not.
4. Learn to say no
Yes, this is a bit contradictory, but it's important. Say yes to new experiences that interest you but learn to say no to experiences that make you uncomfortable. Just because your friend likes something and they want to do it, doesn't mean you have to. You need to learn to stand up for yourself and not waste your energy on things you don't care about. If you spend all your time doing things you don't want to, you'll have no time left for the good experiences.
5. Deal with your emotions
I'm guilty of this; I bury my emotions and try to forget about them until, a couple of months later, they come back like a hurricane and I get lost in this tornado of chaos. Don't do this. It's unhealthy and stupid. Learn to accept your emotions and learn how to deal with them (both the good and the bad). Try writing to yourself, and write what you feel and why (if you don't know why that's fine too) and just let it all out at that moment. When you're dealing with new, stressful emotions and you're at your weakest it can be easy to get in touch with yourself. All your barriers are down and your true self is shining.
0 comments