We're all born into this world as lost individuals. None of us know who we are or where we want to be and many of us have yet to find out. Myself included.
So if I have yet to find myself, why am I writing this article?
To find myself, by myself.
We all struggle with insecurities and anxieties but that's no reason to not stop and smell the roses. No matter what it is that we do or how we do it, I urge you to find what you love and love what you do. Yearn for your passion or hidden talent and then go out and try to find it. The best things in life are never handed to us, they are worked for and they are hard to wrap our little hands around when it's right in front of our face, but ever so worth it in the end. Don't be afraid to do life by yourself for a little while. That's the only way you are going to truly find yourself on your own. Nobody else can help you on that path other than you, so be good to yourself and take care of that beautiful little heart of yours. It'll shine brighter than all of the stars in the sky if you let it. So let it. The trick is to notice, before it's too late. So notice.
Be honest with yourself and don't let others try to change you. Stay true to who you are and who your heart is saying you could be. Don't let those afraid to be themselves tell you who to be. You're going to be judged. Period. No matter what you do. It's a fact of life. But as soon as you let that go and stop worrying about it, you will quickly find how many doors in your world will open.
It's okay to be different. Be unique, I dare you. In times like this when being unique can be frowned upon, get up and show people you're stronger than they think and you're not afraid. No matter what, don't wave that white flag. You're stronger than you know, you just may forget to believe it sometimes.
Don't give up on yourself just because someone else did, because 9 times out of 10, they weren't meant to stay in your life anyway. They were meant to change your life and that's it. People come and go and are either in you life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. It's okay if it's a reason. Let them come. And then let them go. The great Nathan Scott once said, "If you miss someone it means you're lucky, it means you had someone special in your life, someone worth missing." So miss them, but don't get caught up on them. Stick to the one's who are there for a lifetime. They're the ones who are there for you no matter who you think or say you are.
Don't be afraid to try something new. Take a cooking class. Try painting. Go on a hike. Get lost. Venture to a new part of town. You never know what might come out of it, maybe you'll find your new passion or hidden talent. Don't be shy of ruffling a few coat-tails if it means sticking up for yourself and what you believe in. It's the only way you'll find out if you truly believe in something or not.
Be selfish. Take time for yourself to explore. Explore the world around you or explore the world within. Move to a new city. Make a bucket list. Focus on what's important to YOU. Find the beauty in daily life all on your own. Take time to learn and grow on your own and know that being alone can be okay. Someday, you'll find what you've been looking for. You might stumble upon it or it may fall in your lap, but no matter how it happens, don't fight it.
Regardless, I urge you to find what lights your heart and gives you that twinkle in your eye, because in the end it's worth it. We must first find ourselves before others can find us. We must know ourselves before others can know us. So find your own way. Let's do it together.
Ready?
3...2...1...Go.
