Discovering Your True Self Using Core Values: Who Am I?

The Benefits of Discovering Your Core Values

Now that we've examined the concept of core values, you might be curious about why they play such a crucial role in the journey of rediscovering your true self. Let's explore that in more depth.

Picture yourself as a sailor on a vast ocean, with your core values serving as the North Star guiding your way. When you have a clear understanding of your core values, you gain an incredible sense of direction in life. Even when the waters become turbulent and storms threaten to push you off course, your core values act as a steadfast anchor. They provide you with a reliable framework that assists you in making choices that align with your authentic self.

Furthermore, delving into your core values grants you profound self-knowledge. You will no longer be easily swayed by external pressures or societal expectations because you'll be firmly rooted in your values. This unwavering sense of self becomes your shield against self-doubt and confusion.

So, recognizing your core values goes beyond simply discovering who you are; it equips you with a robust and dependable toolkit for navigating life's challenges with resilience and authenticity. It becomes the compass that leads you toward a life that genuinely feels like your own. When you know your values, you know the answer to the question "who am I"

How to Find Your Core Values and Discover Your True Self

Step 1: Reflect on Moments of Pure Joy

Commence your odyssey by taking a nostalgic stroll down memory lane. Recall a time when you felt truly content, in perfect harmony with yourself and the world around you. What were you doing during that enchanting moment? Revisit the particulars, the emotions, and the surroundings.

This initial step allows you to tap into experiences of unadulterated happiness, often intertwined with your core values. By revisiting these moments, you start to identify the values that resonate most with your true self.

Step 2: Identify the Values in Your Blissful Moments

As you reminisce about these moments of bliss, pay keen attention to the values that played a significant role. Were you expressing kindness, adventure, creativity, or perhaps love and connection? These values are akin to signposts guiding you toward your core essence.

Step 2 entails recognizing the essence of those euphoric moments – the values that made them extraordinary. This process of self-discovery brings you closer to comprehending your authentic self.

Step 3: Explore a List of Core Values

Now that you've pinpointed some potential core values, it's time to expand your horizons. A comprehensive list of core values can be a valuable tool for this expedition. You can discover extensive lists online or in self-help literature.

Here are a few examples to get you started: integrity, adventure, family, spirituality, creativity, and authenticity. These serve as a launching pad. Your core values might align with some of these or be entirely distinctive.

Step 4: Align Values with Activities

To deepen your connection to your core values, contemplate how they align with your daily life. Take each of your top five values and ponder the activities or actions that resonate with them.

For instance, if "creativity" is a core value, you might find that activities like painting, writing, or crafting align with this essence. If "adventure" holds significance, consider pursuits such as hiking, traveling, or embracing new experiences.

Step 5: Embrace Your Essence

In the final step, you transmute your identified values into empowering affirmations. Preface them with "I am" to declare these values as inherent facets of your identity.

For instance, if "kindness" deeply resonates with you, affirm, "I am kindness." This straightforward yet profound practice solidifies your connection to your core values. It serves as a reminder that these values are not abstract concepts but integral components of your genuine self.

By following these five steps, you embark on a profound journey of self-discovery, drawing nearer to the essence of who you genuinely are. Remember, it's not a sprint; take your time to explore and wholly embrace your core values. In time, you will know how to answer the question "who am I?" without any doubt in your mind. 

Navigating Challenges on the Path to Self-Discovery

Change and Discovering Your Authentic Self

Exploring your true self and core values often requires embracing change, which can be intimidating. You may encounter resistance from within, fear of the unknown, or external pressures to conform. Additionally, the process can bring up deep-seated beliefs or past experiences that challenge your self-perception. 

View Change as a Positive Force in Discovering Your True Self

Change is often viewed with trepidation, but it holds immense potential for personal growth and transformation. Instead of fearing change, consider it as a powerful force propelling you towards a brighter future, where you can discover your authentic self. Here are some perspectives and strategies to help you embrace change as a positive catalyst for personal development:

• Opportunities for Growth in Finding Your Core Values: Every change, no matter how challenging, carries opportunities for growth. It forces you to adapt, learn new skills, and develop resilience. Embrace change as a chance to expand your horizons and evolve as an individual in alignment with your core values.

• New Experiences Enriching Your Authentic Self: Change introduces you to new experiences, people, and environments. These novel encounters can enrich your life and broaden your perspectives as you delve into your authentic self. Embrace change as an adventure, and you'll find yourself more open to its possibilities.

• Flexibility and Adaptability in Discovering Your Core Values: Embracing change cultivates flexibility and adaptability, valuable traits in an ever-evolving world. These qualities not only help you navigate transitions but also empower you to seize new opportunities that resonate with your core values.

• Breaking Routine and Aligning with Your True Self: Change disrupts routines and habits, providing a chance to break free from stagnation. Use it as an opportunity to assess your routines and make positive adjustments that align with your core values and lead you to your true self.

• Overcoming Fear and Strengthening Your Authentic Self: Fear of the unknown often accompanies change. However, facing these fears head-on can be liberating. Embrace change as a way to confront your anxieties and prove to yourself that you're capable of handling uncertainty while staying true to your core values.

• Personal Reinvention in Harmony with Your Authentic Self: Change allows for personal reinvention. It's a chance to shed outdated identities or beliefs that no longer serve you and adopt new ones that align with your aspirations and your authentic self.

• Resilience Building Aligned with Your Core Values: Each time you embrace and adapt to change, you're strengthening your resilience. This resilience not only helps you face future changes but also enhances your overall well-being, bringing you closer to your authentic self.

• Embracing Change Mindset for Discovering Your True Self: Cultivate a mindset that sees change as a natural part of life, not something to be feared. By viewing change as an ally in your personal growth journey towards discovering your authentic self, you'll approach it with a more positive and open attitude.

Incorporating these perspectives into your life can help you embrace change as a positive force, fostering personal growth and empowerment in your journey to discover your authentic self. Remember that while change may be uncomfortable at times, it often leads to new and rewarding chapters in your life's story, revealing your true self in the process. 

Next Steps: Discover Your True Self With Your Free Core Values Workbook