Who Am I?
Over the last decade I have compiled a series of questions that people ask me all the time. My listeners, followers, patients and clients.
In starting this “Ask Dr. Asha” blog series I am going to cover some of these questions. They are relevant to your wellbeing, your mindfulness and personal growth and development.
Today I want to start with the question that I get asked a lot. And maybe you’ve asked yourself this question before too: “Who am I?”
“Who am I” extends far beyond the labels society assigns to you – your name, your profession, your relationships. It’s about delving into your core values, passions, and skills.
What drives you?
What brings you joy?
What are you truly passionate about?
What makes you happy?
One of the main reasons that you find yourself asking yourself this question of “who am I” is because you are feeling blocked in some way. Maybe you are not living up to your potential or just feel disconnected with your life or the path you are on.
Discovering Your Values and Beliefs
Embarking on the journey of self-discovery requires practical steps to unearth your values and beliefs, the foundational elements that shape your identity and guide your actions.
Here’s a down-to-earth approach to help you navigate this introspective terrain:
Reflection and Documentation: Set aside time in your busy schedule to reflect on what truly matters to you. Grab a pen and paper, or open a note-taking app on your device, and jot down your thoughts. Ask yourself: What principles do I hold dear? What do I stand for? Be honest and unfiltered in your responses.
Defining Your Values: As you brainstorm, identify key themes that emerge from your reflections. These could range from integrity and compassion to creativity and independence. Consider how these values align with your daily choices and behaviors. Are you living in accordance with them, or do you find yourself compromising them for external pressures?
Personality and Values Alignment: Explore the connection between your personality and your values. Reflect on how your core beliefs influence your thoughts, emotions, and interactions with others. Are there aspects of your personality that resonate strongly with your values? How can you leverage these insights to live more authentically?
Uncovering Your Passions: Dive deeper into your interests and passions to uncover what truly motivates and energizes you. Reflect on the activities that bring you a sense of fulfillment and joy. Whether it’s creative pursuits, outdoor adventures, or community engagement, pay attention to the experiences that light a spark within you.
Identify Your Skill Set: What are you good at? Are you good at working with your hands? Are you good at technology? Are you good at talking to people? Are you able to communicate with people effectively?
Action-Oriented Reflection: Take a closer look at your daily routines and habits. Assess whether your actions align with your values and passions. Are you investing your time and energy in activities that reflect your authentic self? Identify areas where adjustments may be needed to ensure greater alignment between your values and your actions.
Reflecting on our values, beliefs, and passions, we begin to understand that our true essence extends far beyond societal constructs. It beckons us to delve deeper, beyond our names, professions, and relationships, into the very core of our being. It prompts us to ponder our fundamental purpose, to discern the unique contribution we are called to make in the world.
Whenever you’re asking who you are, you’re really wondering, who am I, as a human being? What did I come here to do? It goes into the complex nature of our human identity. It touches every aspect of ourselves, and our personal history and experiences, beliefs, values, relationships, all of it. All of that composed together, make up who we are.
You have the power of choice.
While our experiences may shape us, they do not define us. We retain the agency to choose our paths, to redefine ourselves in alignment with our deepest truths and aspirations.
Amidst the complexity lies a profound truth: we possess the power of choice. We have the autonomy to shape our identities, to chart a course that resonates with our values and aspirations. It is through introspection and honest self-evaluation that we unveil the layers of our true identity.
In the pursuit of self-discovery, may you find clarity, purpose, and profound connection. And may the question “Who am I?” serve as a guiding light on your journey of choice and discovery.
