Sometimes, you need to get outside yourself. Just long enough to take a look from a different perspective, a look at yourself. When you're all caught up in life, you may lose yourself. This is why it is important for you to examine your life, from the outside looking in. Doing this will quickly help you discover if you need to rediscover yourself. As I did quite recently.

I was so overwhelmed with all the new changes that had been occurring in my own life. I just got out of a long-term relationship, I was about to go to college where I thought I would have to finalize my career choice, I was leaving my family and friends behind. Everything that was comfortable began to lose its stability. The thought of this frightened me. I tried to run away from the truth and from myself. In this, I let all these emotions I was experiencing take over who I was and how wanted to live my life.

I hid who I was behind these emerging feelings of fear and sadness. I began to settle for less than I deserved. I tried to be someone who wanted to take the easy way out, so I could dispose of my worries. Myself, always being optimistic, started to dread on all the bad.

But, that is simply not who I am. And changing who I was, was not right. I have an open mind and a fearless heart. I am not someone who settles for anything less than what I want. I am a risk taker. That's what makes my life exciting. I don't like negative people, or negativity at all. That's just who I am as a person.

So, how do you find yourself when you're lost?

You can find yourself within yourself. Just be honest with yourself. You know who you are, what you believe in, what you stand for, what you want to do and be, where you want to go, what you want to see. Only you know these answers. Don't second guess who you are. Don't hide from your emotions. Don't let life get in the way of who you are.

XO and best wishes,

Ashley Rose Corbin