Before you build healthy relationships with other people, you should first be comfortable with yourself. For some, this means learning how to validate personal needs and love themselves; for others, it requires identifying life goals and aspirations.
Whatever your case, this process isn’t possible without in-depth self discovery. While this journey will ultimately benefit your esteem and overall attitude towards life, it also entails spending more time alone with yourself, which might feel uncomfortable or even intimidating at first.
Fortunately, there are several ways to help you get started without feeling overwhelmed.
Go on a solo holiday
Some people think going on a solo holiday is strange or sad since you’ll be on your own, but there are many benefits to doing so. This kind of vacation enables you to focus on yourself and your needs without feeling guilty about not spending enough time with your companions.
A solo trip gives you time to reflect on life, while opening yourself up to new opportunities and experiences without worrying about making others happy.
Be one with nature
Activities such as hiking provide you with a feeling of freedom and empowerment, which is great for self discovery. Even if you’re not athletic, there are many hiking trails that are perfect for beginners – your accomplishment will boost your confidence, while the gorgeous scenery will help you feel at peace with yourself.
Another great way to spend time alone with yourself is by camping. While this is usually viewed as a group activity, camping is actually a great way to reconnect with yourself while surrounded by nature.
To make your solo camping trip even better, try bringing some books with inspirational or self-development quotes, or play some meditation music on your phone or portable speaker to immerse yourself in relaxation and peace.
Create a daily spiritual practice
A daily spiritual practice can help you discover your best self while increasing self awareness, overcoming negative emotions and destructive thought patterns, and setting powerful intentions for the day ahead. It helps you connect with inner peace, which is something we all need to feel happy and fulfilled.
Spiritual practices can be as simple as reading motivational books, meditating, or saying a prayer every morning; or as complex as following a specific spiritual or religious path and living according to its principles.
As you devote more time to your spiritual practice, you’ll notice it becoming a part of you. Incorporate it into your daily routine and you’ll be more likely to stick with it and reap all of its benefits.
Remember that your spiritual practice should come from the heart and feel good and right for you.
Learn to heal your inner child
If you don’t feel happy or fulfilled, it might be because something is missing. Take a step back from the world and learn to heal your inner child. This means going on a soul-searching journey that will help you overcome your fears, limitations and negative thought patterns, and become more accepting of yourself.
To start this process, you first need to identify the source of your problems. It might be an unresolved trauma from the past, or a negative thinking pattern that has been active since you were a child.
Once you figure out what it is, you can start the healing process by writing in a journal or talking to a therapist. This can help you overcome your fears and negative emotions and move on with your life.
The most important thing is to remember that self discovery can’t be an end goal; it’s a lifelong mission that will transform you in the best possible way. So, whichever way you choose to embark on this journey, make sure you enjoy the process and don’t rush it.
Read more articles by Dennis Relojo-Howell here.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg and host of ‘The DRH Show’. Connect with him on X (Twitter) at @dennisr_howell.