If you’d like to know more about yourself, you may need to sit down and really think about it. In fact, getting to know yourself can be helpful in gaining depth but also be plenty of fun. Plus, it can help you figure out your ideal career and what brings meaning to your life. Consider answering a few meaningful questions about yourself.
Here’s a list of 10 self-discovery questions to ask yourself
1. How do your biggest fears hold you back from living the way you truly want to?
If you think about it, any fears you may have probably hold you back from accomplishing your future goals and dreams. One example is when someone is afraid of heights. This fear has likely prevented this person from riding exciting roller coasters, hiking to the top of a mountain to witness the beautiful scenery and riding to the top floor of a tall building in an elevator, among other things. By not facing your fears, you miss out on all sorts of opportunities.
2. What three things inspire you the most?
Being aware of what inspires you can be helpful in incorporating these things into your daily life. For instance, if music inspires you, then you can play your favorite tunes while you work to stay motivated. Other things that might inspire you are charitable people, spirituality/religion, the beauty of nature or a favorite color.
3. Do you have the career today you dreamed of having as a child? Why or why not?
If you had a childhood dream career, such as wanting to be a firefighter or an artist, you might not have this career now. If you don’t, then your life might not be as ideal as you’d like it to be. Alternatively, you might have the career you’ve always dreamed of, which means you’re happier than if you didn’t go for it. No matter what, accomplishing your goals, whether they seem realistic or not at the time, can make you happier.
4. What about you attracts the right people to you?
While you probably have various qualities that make you who you are, at least some of these are likely to attract the wrong people to you. For example, if you have an easy-going nature, people who aren’t your real friends might notice this and try to take advantage of you. But if you learn to control this side of yourself, then you can use it to make genuine connections.
5. What are your values and beliefs? How can living by these improve your day-to-day life?
Committing to live by your values and beliefs can have a profound effect on your health and happiness. Several examples of these are creativity, family, humanity, intelligence, learning, kindness, and compassion.
For one thing, if you incorporate compassion into your days on a regular basis, then you have the chance to gain meaning, purpose, and empathy. Another example to consider is creativity. You can take drawing classes, learn to sew or paint, or write a book. Plus, creativity can boost your self-esteem and improve your social life.
6. Who or what motivates you to be your best self?
When someone or something motivates you to be your best self, you’re more likely to accomplish your goals and be successful in everything you do. For one, you might know a teacher or even have a special grandmother, who’s always been an exceptional role model for you. Otherwise, you may feel motivated by things, namely famous artwork, a childhood stuffed toy, a favorite book or something else.
7. How do those you admire most motivate and inspire you?
Understanding why you admire someone can tell you a great deal about yourself. In particular, if you’re inspired by a famous humanitarian, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., then you might have similar qualities in yourself that you’d like to develop at some point in your life. This may mean you’d like to advocate for human rights and equality.
8. What are some things you’d like to improve about yourself?
By improving yourself, you can enhance your quality of life in various ways. Suppose you know you need to work harder and commit to doing this. After a time, you’ll notice that by working harder, you earn a steady income, can purchase necessities, and might buy items you enjoy buying.
Other ideas to improve yourself are eating a healthy diet, having an exercise plan, using less technology, practicing self-care, donating money to charity every week or anything else you can think of.
9. What have you always wanted to do but never tried?
Checking items off from your bucket list can help you live without future regrets. You might have always wanted to go skydiving, ride in a hot air balloon or swim with dolphins but never actually did these things. Other experiences you might wish to have had are going on a safari, traveling through Europe, or changing someone’s life for the better, among others.
10. What makes your life more meaningful?
When your life lacks meaning, you may feel depressed or even lack the motivation you need to live. Realizing what genuinely matters to you can give you a greater sense of purpose.
This could be volunteering for a cause you’re passionate about, spending time with family and friends, playing frisbee with your dog, practicing yoga or meditation, or something else. After you’ve figured out what’s meaningful to you, you can integrate these things into your daily life.
A Few More Words on Self-Discovery
One of the best things you could ever do for yourself is know who you are. Indeed, doing so can give you the answers you need to pursue the goals that matter to you and find friends who care about you as a person. Besides this, when you understand yourself, you can enjoy being yourself a lot more. So grab a pencil and paper to start answering some of these inspiring questions.
