Ever since we were all kids, we’ve had the same phrase drilled into our heads over and over and over whenever any issue came up: “Just be yourself!” Develop your first crush? “Just be yourself!” Scared of making friends? “Just be yourself!” Dream job interview? “Just be yourself!” Time and time again we hear this phrase to the point where it’s almost lost all meaning. But here’s the thing, it’s way harder to “be yourself” than most people admit for one simple reason: most of us have absolutely no idea who we really are! We all spend our lives being influenced by so many things from family to friends to school to the media. All of this means that it can be incredibly difficult to figure out what exactly “being yourself” entails. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are just a few ways that you can learn who you really are and what you really want.
Find some hobbies
It’s strange how many of us just seem to give up on our hobbies when we’re older. Actually, it’s not that strange since many of us were forced into hobbies as kids by our parents and then rebelled against them as soon as we were physically able. But being able to get out and do something that’s outside of work or family can be a great way to connect with what you’re passionate about. It could be dance classes, a book club, heck, you could spend your time fixing old cars! Whatever it is, find something that you’re interested in and pursue it, even if it’s just for fun.
Speak your mind
A lot of people have a great deal of trouble being able to speak their mind a lot of the time. We’re all so afraid of what other people are going to think of us that we hide our true feelings or opinions rather than being honest about them. Well, it’s time to stop that! Instead, speak up when you have something to say and defend your opinions. Stand up for your favorite movie that other people hate and speak out when you see something happening that you find unjust or wrong. If you get used to being unfiltered then eventually you’ll be doing it automatically and what other people think simply won’t matter anymore.
Travel
They say travel broadens the mind, and that’s certainly true, but one of the great things about travel is that it also deepens the mind. Being able to go somewhere completely new and separate from your personal experiences can help you to learn who you are when you don’t have a lot of the aspects of daily life influencing you. Not only that but it offers you a great deal of perspective on how other people live their lives differently from you.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being a little different from day to day. Some days you might be the social butterfly and others you might want to hide in a puffy blanket fort. Both are completely fine as long as you’re doing what you want!