“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” – Carl Jung
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” — Howard Thurman
“You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.”– Brené Brown
You’re going to have plenty of ups and downs, but you also have what it takes to get through any challenge.
When you aren’t sure which path to take, stop and be honest with yourself about the things that make you feel most alive. Think back to what you were drawn to growing up. What made your heart feel full? How do those things feel to you today?
Consider what Joseph Campbell said—you have to let your heart be your internal compass as you “follow your bliss” and live your own story.
If you aren’t true to your heart, you might fool yourself for a while, but eventually, it’s going to turn into doubt or regret. Even a Roman Emperor like Marcus Aurelius wrote in his private journal about the importance of following the truth inside yourself. He wrote:
“The purpose of your life is not to do as the majority does, but to live according to the inner law which you understand in yourself.”
Give yourself the time and space to find out who you are. It’s an ongoing iterative process, and that journey itself is your life. You might not always like what you find, and that’s okay too. Part of the work is asking hard questions, forgiving yourself, and learning to love who you are, flaws and all.
Be patient. Let go of who everyone else expects you to be, and embrace who you truly are.