For the final week of “#FitFabFeb2021” I found my inspiration from the #life this week prompt for next Monday which is Explore. What does that word bring to mind? Most of us would think of exploring the world or exploring our surroundings, but I want to talk about exploring our inner self and discovering our true and authentic self.
Will you join me?
Explore:
to think or talk about something in order to find out more about it
Cambridge Dictionary
Why do we need to explore who we are?
As women we represent many different roles in life such as partner, mother, career, grandparent, friend, daughter, sister, to name a few. This can really confuse our true identity and because we are busy wearing all of these hats, we can lose sight of who we are as an individual.
“Do not let the roles you play in life make you forget who you are.”
Roy T. Bennett
Most of us don’t have time to think about ‘Who Am I?’ until we become empty-nesters or we retire from our careers and have time to focus on ourselves.
We need to explore what we like about our self and our life and let go of what we no longer need or what is stopping us from living authentically. There is nothing worse than trying to be someone you aren’t – it gets tiring!
Exploring our inner self is a great way to reconnect with who we are and what is important to us as individuals. It is a voyage of discovery!
10 ways to explore and rediscover your true self
- Explore your ‘Why’ – What do you feel your life purpose is? Not sure what your life purpose is? Listen to Episode 8, Season 1 of the Women Living Well After 50 Podcast – 5 benefits of connecting with your life purpose.
- Explore your Core Values – not sure what they are? Here is an exercise that might help – Core Values Process
- Explore your Relationships – let go of relationships that are draining you of energy and surround yourself with positivity and cheerleaders.
- Explore your Dreams and Desires to live your life authentically – start living life on your terms rather than with an ‘I should’ mentality.
- Explore and rediscover what brings you joy and fulfillment
- Explore your Limiting Beliefs – what is stopping you from living your authentic life?
- Explore your health and well-being – how do you live well?
- Explore external influences that stop you from living your authentic life?
- Explore how you use your time – where are you placing your energy? Are you doing things to bring energy to your life or is it depleting you of energy?
- Explore ………what can you add to the list? I’ve left #10 for you to fill in the blank.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on what you discover as you explore your inner self.
22 Comments
“Exploring ourselves” truly is something that we put off for later. Then, when later comes, we don’t know where to begin. Thank you for sharing these reminders and insights. I found them all to be very helpful, especially, ‘explore your core values.
I agree, Donna. In order to find what fulfils us we need to dive into who we are and not what others tell us we should be. Once we have taken the time to become more self-aware and explore ourselves we can then move forward, living a life built on what we enjoy rather than what we should be doing as determined by others. Enjoy your weekend xx
What a great way to use the prompt ‘explore’ Sue! I love how creative you are and thinking of how we can all explore ourselves. Great tips and as donna said, we need reminding of these from time to time. Thank goodness we have you on our side 🙂
Thank you Deb for your supportive words and they validate why I blog. Thanks to you also for encouraging me to ‘think outside the box’ and become more creative in the way I look at prompts for topics to write about. Enjoy your weekend. x
I am glad my optional prompt Explore from #lifethisweek may have been the catalyst for your thoughts, Sue.
Connecting and sharing is my mantra for why I blog!
Looking forward to reading more in full tomorrow. Denyse
Thanks Denyse it was the perfect prompt for to finish my #FitFabFeb2021. 🙂
Sue, I have spent the last 6+ years exploring what I want and I what I need my post work life to look like and be. What I have learned is that “life” has a habit of showing you what you are going to do, like it or not. Having the wrench of life’s transitions away from all I knew, trying as best I knew how, to change and adapt and then getting very low emotionally because of family issues I cannot mention….it took a rare cancer diagnosis for me to eventually come out of what life was, to be into what life is…and beyond.
Thank you for linking up your blog post for #lifethisweek on Monday 22 Feb 2021. Next week, it’s the first optional prompt of Taking Stock where I am using my own prompts for the first time. Hope to see you there, on or off prompt. Take care, Denyse #lifethisweek #linkup #Australia
Yes Denyse, we can have plans in place and then life can jump in and change them in an instant. x
A great approach to Denyse’s topic Sue – and yes you’re so right about having the desire to explore and discover when we reach our 50’s – the kids are gone, the job has reduced or gone, things are stable – we have time to consider and decide what’s true to our core selves and what we’ve carried that no longer serves us. It’s been quite a journey for me, but one I’m so glad I embarked on – and blogging has been a huge part of it for me.
Thanks Leanne, like you blogging has been a journey to discover myself and that exploration continues. x
I don’t know if the roles in life make you forget who you are, they just take up all the time so you stop doing the things that you would choose for you, or that used to define you. Very interesting post. There’s a lot to explore there (bomtish). 5 & 6 in particular could possibly do with posts on their own (if you are heading that way). Good post! #Lifethisweek
You make me laugh with your ‘bomtish’. Yes I could probably write about most on the list. I’m doing a FB live each day but may also do as you suggest and write some posts around the topic. Have a great week! x
I love your take on the prompt Sue. Since my birthday I’ve been exploring my purpose, my why and my future. I haven’t come up with any decisions yet but hopefully soon
Thanks Jen, I’m trying to incorporate my ethos of the blog into the prompts. It may not work always but it is challenging me. xx
Hi Sue, The word “explore” is dear to me as you can tell from my blog name. You’ve got an excellent list. I’d add to #10 Explore how else I can improve, adjust or expand on the outcomes of my previous 9 explorations to live a healthy and enriched life. #lifethisweek
Oh I love your #10 Natalie that is perfect. May I use it? Have a lovely week and see you at #weekendcoffeeshare #lifethisweek.
Yes you may, Sue. I’m glad we can share ideas. Have a wonderful week!
Great thanks Natalie! x
Hi Sue, I really love your take on the prompt “explore”. I think when I hit my 40s and went through some major life changes like divorce and heart problems, I finally started to live my authentic life. I’m now the person I want to be and not worried about the judgement of others. I’ve lost a few friends and actually left the church that was a major part of my life back then, but I’m happy with where I’m at now. Thanks for another thought provoking post, regards Christina
Hi Christina, I surprised myself actually! I started linking up to #SundayStills and it is a photography challenge. I’ve been trying to incorporate the prompts to fit in with WLWA50 ethos and so far so good. When I saw Explore I knew that for #lifethisweek I would incorporate my final week of #FitFabFeb2021 by exploring ourselves. I’m so pleased to hear you are happy now and you certainly are courageous the way you have turned your life around. So inspiring. xx
This is a great take on explore! As my boys are getting older I find it is so much easier to carve time out for myself and rediscover all those hobbies and habits I put on hold for so long.
Hi Joanne that is great! Many women feel guilty carving out time for themselves but you seem to have overcome that and I know you will be feeling richer for it. Thanks for stopping by. x