Know yourself.

Every day is an opportunity to learn more about who you are. You encounter challenges and trials, face uncomfortable situations, and test your limits day in and day out. The person you were yesterday is not quite the same as the person you’ve become today. Isn’t that fascinating? You are the sum of all the parts of who you have been, but who you were does not ultimately define who you are.

There are days where I am still learning about who I am. We think we know ourselves and then we come across something that illuminates who we are – in a way that articulates our personality better than we ever could. Two friends of mine who have a knack, or rather discerning sense, for pinpointing personality types were able to identify who I was to a T – or, you could say, to an ISFJ.

I am loyal - at times to a fault. I am an individual who needs time to myself to recharge. It can be painstakingly difficult for me to say “no”. I begin to feel torn when I have to choose one side over another. I am observant and notice the little details. I value being able to see a situation from both perspectives. I’m akin to the likes of “Samwise Gamgee” and “Dr. Watson” – the devoted sidekick, which as a nerdy fan girl is quite the compliment. I take things personally. I’m a mix of shy, quiet, and reserved. I may not say everything that’s on my mind, but it doesn’t mean that I have nothing to say. I avoid conflict at all costs – it is my least favorite thing in the world. I consistently fight the battle between head and heart. With all that said, the Myers-Briggs test considers me to be “the defender” – and I relate to it more than I ever imagined.

Earlier this year I posted a compilation of 10 things that I had learned over the past 23 years. Reflecting on it now, I realize that the first item on that list is one that I am still in the process of learning.

#1 – Knowing yourself allows you to ultimately feel comfortable in your own skin. You may not be like everyone else, but that is the true beauty of being you.

Discovering who you are is a lifelong journey – a beautiful, messy, confusing, and revealing one.

Be willing to grow. Be prepared to accept your weaknesses. Be enthusiastic about embracing and appreciating your strengths. Be ready to be shaped by daily happenstances. Be mindful of who you were. Be open to who you are becoming. Be ready to embrace the journey ahead.

Be you.