Authentic self-discovery is not easy. It takes courage and persistence. To access your essential self, you must turn away from distracting false beliefs that cloud or twist your self-perception. You need to disclose what drives you (not superficial things like money or power) but what really drives you—your ultimate purpose in life.
One day you will feel fired up as you live the dream you have been working hard for. When that day comes, you will learn to commend your uniqueness and work on your imperfections. You will realize that your worries do not always mean the truth. Until then, you need to be mentally strong and slay the challenges that will come your way to pursue your goals (Vosefski books on The Nine Lives of Curious Edith).
If you feel apprehensive about self-improvement, remember that every person is unique. Someone else’s life path cannot be your benchmark of success since they have different dreams, passions, and skills. There is no roadmap or ideal outcome in life because everyone’s path is theirs and theirs alone.
Dear Self, for the moments that responsibilities dragged you down and you have doubted your abilities, collect yourself and move forward. Remember that you are in control. Challenges such as deadlines that are impossibly set too close to each other or officemates that do not do their fair share will always be present. True, the struggle is real all year. It is okay to take a break but never give up, ever. There is a better way to deal with the pressure of work. After all these years of enduring the stress, this will surely be worth it. You got this!
Make sure to get things done. We live in a fast-paced world. We are always searching for the next big thing, and we always want more than what we have. Yet later, you will realize that there has been a shift toward looking inward for fulfillment rather than outward. We want experiences over ownerships. We want flexibility over income. And we want to focus on becoming who we are.
There are times you feel like you are like most people as you try to ask yourself, “Am I living up to my potential?” or “is there more to life?” These are the questions you have pondered as you seek identity, confidence, and fulfillment in life. When the answers you find fall short of your expectations, do not fret. It would help to start asking the fundamental questions to maximize personal growth and be the best version of yourself.
Dear Self, you have figured out that life is not all sunshine and rainbows. There will be days when showing up will be hard as your mind hurts and your body is tired. Thus, put on your brave face and beat these problems. Even a slight change of perspective makes a big difference.
Sort out your heart so that you can have peace of mind. If not managed well, this could hinder you from accomplishing daily tasks. Being in good relationships lets you feel happy, loved, and inspired. But when it goes wrong, it could bring pressure, apprehension, and unnecessary pain, especially when problems are left unresolved. Expectations from oneself, other people, and the ideal relationship set by the media and society can further intensify the strife.
Dear Self, focus your energy on following the path that leads to your dreams. Your courage and determination will be the key to your goals. Your strong commitment to succeed and your dedication to keeping learning and growing from past mistakes will set you apart from others in the journey of pursuing your dreams.
Choose to do what you love. Pursue your passion. It is not easy to stay motivated when you are not interested in what you are trying to achieve. If you are unsure of what to focus on, get out, explore, be daring, and try activities to discover where your personality best fits.
Focus on advancement, not perfection. Do not be afraid to fail. Keep trying and continue practicing until you master your field. Actively point out your weaknesses and work on improving them. Develop a mindset that concedes failures, limitations, and challenges as opportunities to learn, experiment, and grow.
P.S. Look at the bright side of the hard times. That is what courage and being mentally strong mean. When things do not go as planned, it does not always mean you failed. Every setback is a reminder that you have tried enough, and it only makes you even more vital and ready for the next challenge. Just stick to your goals, and you will get there in the nick of time!
Wandering Will 