HOW TO FIND YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF

Authentic self. It has a nice little ring to it doesn’t it. It’s also what we consider our own personal values. Now, values or that authentic part of us is a really interesting thing. A lot of the time we are fully conscious to what our values are. We may think that our values are top of mind, but from my experience, this is often confused with what we think our values should be. This is based on a whole heap of factors from each and every experience that we have, our loved ones, our culture, our stories and beliefs … there can feel like there is a lot to unpack there. It doesn’t have to be too complicated though and it is something that is a wonderful thing to explore.

Start with a list

To get started. Write down a list of things that are really, really important to you. Think about things that you want more of in your life. Qualities that you want to cultivate. Attributes that speak that that inner self.

Don’t worry too much at this stage, you will refine this list, so go nuts and get it all out and on paper.

How do you spend your time and money

Ok, now have a think about how you spend your time. What is it that you love to read about, watch, spend your time doing? Is there a theme in your ‘gram? I know that candles and pretty tablescapes in the Med feature heavily in mine!

What is it that you spend your money on? Is there a theme to this? Dig in a little to see if you notice that there are consistancies.

Who do you admire?

Now, have a little think about the people that you admire the most. What qualities and attributes do they have that you admire? List these down.

Refine your list

Go back to your original list now that you’ve created some more ideas. What speaks to you? I want you to group together themes and label them. Whittle it down to 4-5 values that really hit home for you. These are things that resonate within you and are not based on what others may think that you should place importance on. This is just for you, no one else.

Once you have you 4-5 values. You can take some time to really sit with them. This isn’t a race and it’s also important to know that these can change, just as you do. When I did this in my 20’s it was so different to what is important to me now as I enter into my 40’s. This is exactly as it should be and is what makes this a valuable exercise to do often. The end of the year is a wonderful time to get reflective and to consider where we are, what we want and where we want to be.

Let me know what you think and whether you found this helpful. Perhaps you’ve got your values with you right now!