I am so obsessed with this post from Maxie. I honestly go through intense periods of “finding myself” where I do (or try to do!) everything Max has laid out here. I wish I had known to do it much, much sooner in life, though. It’s an important practice to get yourself in the habit of doing.
What Knowing Yourself Actually Means
Guest Post by Maxie McCoy
When we’re moving through life, there are a million voices telling us which way to go or what things to care about. There are messages on every platform telling us what to buy and who to be. Parents and loved ones have their opinions and friends have an impact, too. None of those inputs are negative on their own. However, when they start to become the voice inside of your head, muting your own, you’ve got some work to do.
Knowing yourself is what happens when you turn down everyone’s else’s opinions and projections and turn up your gut, intuition, and voice.
The trouble, though, is that it’s doled out as casual advice. You just have to know yourself. At face value, it’s like of course, duh, yes I need to know myself. That agreement, however, is quickly followed by questions of what that even means much less knowing how to do it. Knowing yourself doesn’t “just happen.” In the same way that you have to get to know a new friend in your life, you have to put the same effort into the budding relationship with yourself.
Because here’s the deal: I ’ve been on both sides of knowing myself – the side that couldn’t have been farther away from who I really am and drowning in messages of what I thought I should be, and on the side I currently sit of knowing who I am – and I can tell you the latter changes everything.
Here’s a few question to ask yourself to become a step closer to knowing who you really are…
What comes naturally to you? When you’re able to do something well with very little effort, these are your talents. And knowing what those things are is a huge asset. Here’s why – your talents bring you energy, lots of it, so the more you’re operating in those talents, the more you’ll feel like the highest expression of yourself. My favorite assessment to find out your talents is StrengthsFinder.
What do you want? Your big huge desires are key to getting to know yourself because they help characterize what path you’re on and why. What’s important is to focus not so much on the “whats” and more on the “why.” If you’re struggling with what your big vision is, I’ve got just the workbook for you – I created this vision setting exercise to help you figure out what you want.
What do you like and hate? Likes and dislikes are important. Maybe you hate your major but were doing it to please someone. Maybe you love your curly hair but wanted to fit in. Start tuning in to what YOU (and only you) like and dislike, instead of what you “should” like or worrying too much about what looks good.
Are you listening? To your voice inside of your head. Is that voice YOU or is it society’s and the cultural constructions around you? Next time you have a decision to make, try tuning into how you feel. What’s your gut saying? What’s your body saying? My favorite way to do this is to get really quiet and lay on my floor with my hands on my chest and tummy. It sounds weird (I know!) but it helps me get away from everything else other than what my heart, body, mind, and gut are telling me.
Remember, knowing yourself is a process. No matter where we are, we all have to continuously push away messages and expectations around us to tune into what we want and who we are. With these questions, however, you’ll be off to a great start.
I’ve given a lot of thought about whether I value finding myself (knowing myself/discovering myself), being myself, or creating myself most. As an introvert, I think it’s way too easy for me to just sit and think and probably end up in an existential crises, so to balance that part of myself out, I value creating myself–to not think TOO much (I do enough of that!), and trust myself to go with my gut! Of course, everyone is different and different things work for them! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
I love this approach!
I explored this topic with myself when I decided to change my career. Your tips are very helpful!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
100% needed this post, as you get older so many things change about what you want and who you are, its posts like this that remind me to reflect. Thank you!
I love this! Knowing yourself is so important but also a challenging on going process. I love the tips that Maxie has laid out here and this is definitely something I’ll continue to work on.
Taylor | http://www.livingtaylored.com
Thanks for sharing – such a great read!
Elizabeth
http://stripesandsolitaires.com
This is great! I think for me, knowing myself and then having the courage to actually go after the things that I know are more suited to my gifts (and let go of the things I think I “should” be doing) are two different things! It’s a process, but as I get older, I think it’s getting easier.
xoxo,
Classic Catherine
I’d really love a career search post from Maxie (or you!). I’m feeling totally overwhelmed at the prospect of searching for a job after spending so long in school!
I always love Maxie’s posts!!
This is such a truthful post. I have been doing some soul-searching recently and this points me in a good direction! Finding yourself is tough, but this is a good start!
http://www.madsmuses.com
This is such a great post and I can definitely relate to being on both sides of the spectrum. I think these are all great questions to ask yourself if you’r trying to figure out who you are. It’s funny that you mentioned StrengthsFinder because I took it last year and have been so obsessed with it since.
-Helen
http://www.sweethelengrace.com
This is so true! It took me forever to learn the importance of this, but until you know who you end up just going through life without actually knowing what you want to do. Great post!
Leighton Michele
http://www.enpointechic.com
This was really insightful and helpful! I feel like the older I get, it gets easier to know who I am, but there are days when it’s just plain hard and wish I could be someone else for the day. I loved the tip on using your gifts and talents to their fullest potential! It may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s so important and something I need to keep reminding myself of!
xoxo,
Abigail
http://www.belleofthebrier.com/
I don’t maintain a blog now; I peruse and regret this at times; anyhow, knowing yourself changes as opportunities are less and less as one age. The older that one gets, harder to like yourself with no income or support from the world; especially, if they only hurt and ridicule. I know what I mean; sorry if not believed. Thank you for sharing and take care.
I really enjoyed reading this! She brings up some interesting questions I have never thought of asking myself before. I’m looking forward to using the “Strength Finder” to see what my talents are!
xo, Taylor
http://www.taylorashleyblog.com
What a great read! I’m definitely in a season of getting to know myself, as I just started a full-time career out of college. I’m still trying to figure out exactly what I want and what I’m good at. This post was a great reminder to stay true to me!
I loved reading this! This was definitely something that made me think about myself more.
Arden | Missing Wanderer
I think knowing who you are and being comfortable with yourself is incredibly important. I love that you shared this, because I’m a teenager and have been truly trying to get to know myself over the past few years.
Very timely post for me! I am at a crossroads where I just finished graduate school and now need to decide what my next step of my CAREER should be, which is a scary word for me. Should I get a full time job with security and salary? Should I go for more school and post-pone the working world? Or should I stay here in Peru a while longer, learn Spanish, and enjoy a simpler more exciting life? Eek!
Love this! I especially love the question “what comes naturally to you” because it’s not one I often think about. So often, I’m caught up in developing or finding new skills that I never stop to think what natural talents I may already have. Such a great post!
xo, Sofia
http://www.thecozie.co
Loooove this post! Such a good thing to think about
http://www.petiteeliee.com
Ellie xx