![]() A student feels pressure from their parents to pursue a prestigious career in law, even though this line of work does not inspire them.Such a person may often notice themselves wondering, “ Why am I doing this when it’s not who I really am?” The consequence is a feeling of guilt or dissatisfaction if we fail to live up to an idealized version of ourselves that we cannot be.īesides this negative emotional toll, the problem with pursuing such an ideal is that it will be rooted in externally derived standards of worth. This remains true even if the person is successful in their activities and receives external rewards. To understand why self-discovery is so important, we must consider the consequences of failing to identify our true selves.Īccording to Horney (1950), when a person experiences a large discrepancy between their lived and real selves, they are likely to experience a sense of alienation from themselves. Notice times when you feel a strong sense of personal responsibility to do something or have a unique vision about how something should be carried out.These are the activities you would undertake in the absence of external rewards, such as money or the approval of others. Think about which activities you find intrinsically motivating.Consider which activities you possess a natural aptitude or talent for, perhaps using a strengths-finding exercise.Try to notice activities that cause you to slip into the state of flow, as these often point us toward our drifts.Our drifts tend to emerge when the mind is still, so try selecting a quiet day to do some meditation or practice some relaxation techniques.By paying attention to the subconscious pull of these activities, you can allow them to guide you toward your true self, stemming from your genetic makeup, upbringing, and experiences (Pagedar, 2021). Pay close attention to the things you naturally love doing, or drifts, particularly those that are personally expressive. Seek the company of people who inspire you, make you feel positive, and challenge your perception of yourself.Set boundaries with people who discourage your individuality, negatively affect your emotions, or put you down.Find a coach or therapist for a safe space to pursue self-discovery.Join a social group whose interests and passions align with your own, such as a painting, writing, or poetry group.Seek quiet spaces and time out to facilitate reflection or journaling.To this end, here are some ideas to consider: This is because warm and encouraging atmospheres facilitate feelings of inner security while providing the freedom to have our own feelings and thoughts (Horney, 1950). The more time we spend in the presence of supportive family, friends, lovers, and communities, the sooner we will be likely to discover our true nature. Two ways to catch glimpses of our true self involve being intentional about the atmospheres in which we immerse ourselves and noticing the activities we feel drawn to. Once you have, you can then make choices about your life and identity that are more consistent with this self-knowledge (Waterman, 2011).įostering Self-Discovery Skills: 10 Examples & Tips ![]() “refers to those processes, both intuitive and reasoned, by which those potentials are discovered and come to attain the status of personally concordant goals that are to be actualized.”Īccording to this view, a person’s true self essentially lies beneath the surface, and our task is to find, recognize, or understand that which already exists. The search for our true selves, therefore: Opportunities to act upon those potentials and purposes in living.“the central inner force common to all human beings and yet unique to each, which is the deep source of growth… free, healthy development in accordance with the potentials of one’s generic and individual nature.”Īs part of the process of searching for our true selves, we are ultimately working to identify three things (Waterman, 2011): What Is Self-Discovery According to Psychology?ĭrawing often from the field of philosophy, psychologists point to the illumination of our daimon (or ‘true self’) as the ultimate goal of self-discovery. 16 Questions to Ask Yourself or Your Clients.3 Exercises, Games, and Activities for Adults.Fostering Self-Discovery Skills: 10 Examples & Tips.What Is Self-Discovery According to Psychology?.
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