Understanding Self

In keeping with my theme this month, investing in connection, I have been thinking about the value of connecting with oneself.

I spent many years trying to squeeze into a mold that I thought others wanted me to fit. During those years, I learned to silence the person inside who wanted to be unique.

In many ways, I think we are all taught to please people, and some of it is necessary and good. But I had let it tell me what to do and hid myself away in the name of proper. Now, much farther along in life (maybe it’s the mid-life thing sneaking up on me), I find that I need to know that person inside if I want to be happy. And happy is good for me and everyone around me.

So, the last few years have found me on a journey to learn more about me. I’m allowing myself to be creative again and finding that creativity runs deeply and heals much.

The journey isn’t over, and it probably never will be. I’m not in a hurry. I want to relish the moments of discovery.

But if you want to enter some self-discovery and journey beside me, here are four methods I’ve used to learn more about myself. Maybe they’ll help you connect with yourself too.

 

• Write a book.

If there is a story burning inside of you. Write it. It doesn’t have to be a book you publish, finish or even show anyone (I think I just heard a gasp from my writer friends), but the act of writing will release it. I find this especially therapeutic in regards to events that I would like to rewrite or understand.

• Journal.

If writing a book seems daunting, write a journal entry. I do some of my best processing on the page or screen. This is especially helpful when my brain is a tornado of wrestling thoughts.

• Compose a mission statement.

This is a big one. I have spent the last several years trying to develop my personal mission statement. In doing so, I’ve asked myself countless questions and looked at the things that motivate and move me, that I want to learn, that I do well, and the legacy that I want to leave when I’m gone. It takes time, but the effort is and will be worth it. When finished, I’ll use the mission statement to help me make personal and business decisions. It will help me stay focused and purposeful with my life, knowing when to say “no” to projects and “absolutely!!” to others.

 

• Apply a little right brain to the left brain life.

So far, we’ve had a lot of left brain example involving writing and verbal processing. But to fully know myself, I’m finding that the creative/artistic left side of my brain doesn’t like feeling left out.  It finds great peace in painting with watercolor and learning to hand letter, which is more of an art form than verbal processing (though it can be both). The mixture of exploration, discovery, visual expression, and use of my hands combine in a way that is satisfying and unexplainable by verbal means.

So if you find yourself wanting to know more about you, find a creative avenue and add a little of it to your life. Then, stand back and watch how peaceful your mind becomes … not just after but during the process.

Go ahead. Write it. Draw it. Dance it. Dream it.

What impact has creativity played on your journey? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!

If you’d like to hear more about any of these methods, comment about that too.

Thank you! Your feedback is valuable to me as I start this new phase of my creative journey!

 

And …  as always … happy creating!

Joanne