When I saw this piece of graffiti, I was forced to look at it and at myself. Who am I? I thought about my journey to find myself; I was a scientific, analytical girl who had gone rogue and is now an artist. I also thought about all of those that I know, as well as those that I don't, and how unfortunate it is that they are lost.
But, it is okay.
Sometimes we get lost. This can happen all of a sudden, or maybe being on auto pilot for too long made you drift off-road. Although drifting away from who we are can be scary, challenging, and stressful, it is possible to find your way back.
Here are a few steps to find yourself when you are lost:
1. Create solitude.
It is hard to figure anything out when you are surrounded by people. These people could possibly be the reason you are lost. But one thing is for sure: you cannot think when there are people
talking in your ear. It is okay to be alone for a little while. Nan Merrill once said, "Time spent in holy solitude can silence the noisy world ever at work in our minds." Perfectly said.
2. Evaluate your life.
You need to make a list. A list of the good and the bad. Figure out what is important to you. What could have caused you to drift from who you really are? Think hard. This step can be challenging, but if you listen to your
heart, you will make the right choices. I promise.
3. Change your perspective.
Maybe you are focusing on the wrong things. You are not
grateful for everything you have. You are not appreciative of the people in your life. Whatever it may be, you just need to take a step back and look at life from a different perspective.
4. Find the negative and erase it.
It is so easy to get caught up in the negative things in life. There is always something to be positive about. Get rid of the negative; the negative people, words, actions, and thought. Let it go.
Have nothing to be positive about? Go back to step one and start over.
5. Forget unrealistic expectations.
This is honestly one of the hardest steps. You need to realize that you are not perfect. You cannot make everyone
happy. There will be stress. There will be people that won't like you. Get over it. Anything else that you believe that probably won't ever happen, just needs to be dropped. You will feel the weight fall off of your shoulders.
6. Be happy.
Stop with the anger, hatred, jealousy, and judgements. Please. It is not helping anyone, so why do it? It is so much easier and better for you to be happy. So, stop and enjoy the little things in life.
*Help others.
Helping others is optional, but I think everyone should feel what selflessness feels like. Not only is is beautiful to see the look on someone's face who is filled to the rim with happiness and gratitude, but you also realize how much you have in life. Maybe you don't have it as bad as you thought.
*Find a hobby.
Hobbies are great! Hobbies can help you deal with the solitude, help you realize something about yourself, or just help relieve stress. Everyone needs at least one hobby.
7. Find yourself!
Finding yourself may not be exciting and fun, but it is rewarding. As Atticus the poet said, " The hardest step we all must take is to blindly trust in who we are." So, who are you?
