As humans, most of us have an appetite to figure out who we are.
Whether it’s to chose the right career, the right partner or simply figure out what makes one stand out, people, no matter the age, are in search of ways to figure out who they really are underneath the surface.
Often times it’s when we get out of a relationship – with a partner, friend, job – that we search of ways to decipher the essence of our ego.
If you’re reading this you’re probably in that time period of your life.
The search
A few years back, during my last year of high school, I stepped on a new path towards salvation.
At the time, it seemed like I was just going to do a few months of growing and start doing YouTube and that was it. Little did I know, that path would lead me to a journey that would last years, maybe even decades.
This journey has been fuelled by a sense of purpose unbeknown to mankind.
Like any other mind expedition, however, it started with a simple three-worded question: “Who am I?”
Over the years, I’ve found multiple ways to accelerate finding the answer, but there’s a few that I think stood out. One pretty obvious. One that might not be at the top of others’ lists. And another that is essential to succeeding when it comes to this.
Adopt an Experimental Personality
One way to find out who you are is to adopt an experimental personality. This means trying out different things, going out of your comfort zone, and experimenting with different activities, people and things. By doing so, you can discover new things about yourself that you might not have realised before.
For example, if you’re usually shy and introverted, try going to a social event and forcing yourself to talk to new people. Or if you’re a planner, try being spontaneous for a day and see how it feels. By trying out new things, you might discover aspects of your personality that you didn’t even know existed.
Personally I’ve done this a few times. One of these experiences was going vegan. It lasted for about a month and it was really interesting. It helped me realise some things about myself that I didn’t know before then. I’m not vegan at the moment and I don’t intend on switching any time soon, but I may dabble in it sometime in the future.
Personality Tests
Another way to find out who you are is by taking personality tests such as the 16personalities or the Enneagram. These tests can give you an insight into your personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, and even career paths that might be suited for you.
It’s important to remember that these tests are not definitive and should be taken with a grain of salt. They can, however, give you a starting point for self-discovery and lead you down a path of self-awareness and personal growth.
When I first took the 16personalities test I was surprised by how accurate it was. To this day I take it once or twice a year too see what changes. It doesn’t drive my decisions on a daily basis, but sometimes if I find myself in a state of mental fog I read off their website and it gives me inspiration and even comfort.
Self-Awareness
Last but not least, self-awareness is an essential aspect of finding out who you are. This means taking the time to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and actions, and understanding how they shape your identity.
Self-awareness can be achieved through practices such as meditation, journaling, and therapy. By becoming more self-aware, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world, and ultimately lead a more fulfilling life.
One thing I’d like to mention however is that while practicing self-awareness is a key factor to figuring out who you are, I have, at some points in my life, found myself to get too self-aware and forget to enjoy life, so it ends up having a negative effect on your progress. Point being, try to find a balance between inspecting your actions and becoming so self aware you forget to relax and enjoy where you are cause before you know it you’ll be somewhere else and maybe even someone else wondering where the time went.
In the end,
Life is all about growing and changing and that’s why I think self-discovery is important. By adopting this ever-growing look on life, you may just end up living a more fulfilling one.
If you’re looking for more ways to help you in this self-discovery journey I suggest you check out my video on the Phil Stutz therapeutic principles that I recently posted on my YouTube channel.
August 