Who are you? – an article written by Linda Kirchof

I’m certain that everyone who is reading this has asked this question from him or herself at some point in his/her life. Besides, let’s be honest we all have done a bunch of online quizzes and tests that tell you that you are a melancholic person because your favourite colour is blue or that you have anger issues only because you chose to click on a picture of a lightning campfire. But don’t worry, I can assure you that this article is not at all like those online quizzes but is based on detailed research.

 

Why is it important to know yourself?

We exactly know that these tests won’t give us a proper answer but we are still doing them. Why? Because the human mind is curious. From my point of view the desire of finding out who we are as a person has always been our biggest goal. It makes perfect sense if thoughts like this have occured to you before;

• What are my beliefs?
• What am I passionate about?
• In which class of society does my family fit in?
• Do I like that, do I not?

 

Where to begin?

If you just slipped through the questions above when you read them, I’d highly recommend y

ou to take another look at them!

Because it leads us to my first point which is self-awareness;

To have the slightest idea of what you want to spend your next 70 (or hopefully more!!) years with you first have to raise awareness. The easiest way to do it is by asking yourself some important questions. (you can find examples here)

If you find talking to yourself weird, you should grab a pen and start writing down your thoughts. Numerous studies have found that journaling clears your mind and helps you to get a more definite picture.

Okay but, I don’t know…

There are going to be times when your mind goes blank. That’s normal, you just hit an obstacle. If you’re feeling unsure about a topic, feel free to ask your friend or family about their opinion. It’s kind of crazy but when you think about it your surroundings know you better than you know yourself. They are the ones interacting with you and watching you every single day, so they are more likely to tell you if a particular attribute fits you or not.

 

Considering your multiple identities

If you have ever felt that you see things differently depending on your mood or the people you are with, it doesn’t mean you’re bipolar or have multiple personality disorders. (Calm down, you don’t have to be referred to a mental institution) Nowadays people are so stuck up on finding their place in society they forget that a human being can’t be categorised into only one box.

Sarah Gaither, PhD, is an assistant professor in the department of psychology & neuroscience at Duke University. Her research focuses broadly on how a person’s social identities and experiences across the lifespan motivate their social perceptions and behaviors in diverse settings. „We all have multiple identities — race, gender, age, sexual orientation, occupation — and the list goes on and on.”- says Sarah in an interview with PLLC

 

 

To summarise

Undoubtedly, finding out who we are and finding our place in today’s society is one of the biggest challenges we have to face during our time on Earth. Most people spend their life being narrow-minded, feeling lost and constantly dissatisfied. Thus, if the question Who are you? worries you, you should be nothing but proud of yourself! It only shows that you are a step closer to becoming a higher version of yourself. I hope after reading my article you won’t let yourself turn into a grumpy old man but take actions towards a better life!

Sources:

https://www.apa.org
https://www.inc.com