This post is about self discovery.
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By definition, self discovery is the act or process of gaining knowledge or understanding of your abilities, character, and feelings. It is about taking action to discover yourself, aligning your values with your passions and dreams, and embracing authenticity and self-acceptance for true happiness. These pursuits may seem daunting, but they are not out of reach. You do not necessarily need to read lengthy books, take expensive solo trips, or master obscure techniques. You can embark on your journey just as effectively with these 7 key pursuits, all of which are accessible and achievable. So, let’s begin your self discovery journey!
“The greatest journey is the one of self discovery” – Lao Tzu
SELF DISCOVERY PURSUITS
1. Start a Journal
“The only journey is the one within” – Rainer Maria Riklk, Letters to a Young Poet (1929)
A self discovery journey is incomplete without a journal. It is a tool for self-reflection, a place to document your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Whether you prefer the mobile app or The Five Minute Journal in hard copy, the key is to use it consistently. Throughout the remaining pursuits, continue to use your journal to delve deeper into your thoughts and feelings. Use the journal prompts to self-reflect, ask important questions, gain valuable insights, and record it all in your journal.
Self Discovery Journal Prompts:
What hesitations do I have as I embark on my self discovery pursuit?
What do I hope to achieve on my journey?
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2. Learn Something New
“The way to find yourself is in the fires of your enthusiasm” – Earl Nightingale, Author, Speaker (20th century)
Everyone falls into a routine, repeating the same activities daily. But learning something new can break the cycle and ignite a renewed sense of motivation. It can lead to new hobbies, passions, and pastimes. Your journey of self discovery is not just about understanding yourself better but also about exploring new possibilities and potentials. So, do not be surprised if you find yourself joining a new interest group, meeting someone new, or even considering a career change. The possibilities are endless!
Self-Discovery Journal Prompts:
What have I always wanted to learn or discover?
What have I learned about myself after learning a new hobby, passion, or pastime?
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3. Enjoy a Nature Walk
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” –Walt Whitman
The perfect place to practice mindfulness is during a walk in nature, a city park, or a quiet street. We are surrounded by distractions daily, making it hard to focus on the present. A nature walk limits distraction and lets you concentrate on your thoughts and feelings. A 30-minute walk can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation. Use this as an opportunity to explore what you like and love and what makes you the happiest.
Self Discovery Journal Prompts:
What does my perfect morning, afternoon, and evening look like?
Where and when am I the happiest?
4. Take a Personality Assessment
“Give up being perfect for being authentic. Be who you are. Love who you are. Others will too.” –Hal Elrod
A fun way to self discover is with a free personality assessment. A personality test can reveal your strengths and weaknesses, provide insight into your interests and motivations, and even help inform you of the careers you should pursue. At a minimum, a personality assessment can validate your individual qualities and help you understand yourself on a deeper level.
Self Discovery Journal Prompts:
What are my skills and talents?
What do I want to develop further?
5. Set Personal Goals
“At the center of your being, you have the answer; you know who you are, and you know what you want” – Lao Tzu
A fundamental self discovery activity is setting personal SMART goals. While it is essential to spend time self-reflecting, it is also important to act on what we have learned. By setting personal goals, you take insights learned and turn them into tangible results. With thoughtful planning and the drive to follow through, you are much more likely to achieve the personal goals you set for yourself.
Self Discovery Journal Prompts:
If I could do anything today, what would I do?
What do I want to achieve?
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6. Spend a Day with Yourself
“Don’t be afraid to wander. Sometimes, getting lost is the best way to find yourself” – Paula Coelho, The Alchemist (1988)
Take a day to yourself and examine your hopes, dreams, fears, and regrets. This is an opportunity to leave your comfort zone and reflect on life disappointments and how you can do things differently in the future. Spending a day focused on learning from challenging experiences can lead you to self-acceptance, positive change, and personal growth.
Self Discovery Journal Prompts:
What is your biggest fear and greatest regret?
What have I learned from those experiences?
7. Acknowledge Your Emotions
“There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.” –Rumi
The last self discovery pursuit is consciously acknowledging or regularly labeling feelings, motives, and desires. In general, our moods result from a complicated mix of what is happening in our lives. Self-awareness is an internal dialogue that we have with ourselves that communicates how we are feeling. Combined with self-reflection, self-awareness can help us face trials and tribulations more effectively, leading to greater contentment and well-being.
Self Discovery Journal Prompts:
What are you feeling, and what is causing you to feel this way?
How can I maximize any positive feelings and minimize any negative feelings?
“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end” -Ursula K. Le Guin
The journey of self discovery does not need to be overly time-consuming, expensive, or complicated. It is possible to discover yourself with only a journal, a willingness to engage in self-reflection, and some free tools. Remember, the process is just as important as the insights you gain. After exploring the 7 key self discovery pursuits, you will have a more profound knowledge and understanding of yourself. You will also have valuable exercises that you can continue to use on your journey of self discovery.
MINDSET | ACTION:
Continue to use your journal for self-reflection. Which of the 7 pursuits was the most beneficial to your self discovery? How will you use the knowledge and insights gained from each pursuit?
This post was about self discovery.
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