Guide To You
December 17th, 2024
Writer: Lily Watson
Editor: Abbie Orlinsky
Growing up can feel like an endless search for the community that best represents us; Whether that community consists of athletes, world leaders or fashion icons, rarely are we referenced by what makes each of us unique individuals. Societal pressures make it extremely difficult to differentiate our own individual personalities from who we are expected to be. We tend to focus on the current pressures, while neglecting the reality of the years ahead of us to experience and explore the best versions of ourselves. Sometimes we simply need the tools that help us remember this. Over the years I have grasped onto small but effective methods that allow me to reconnect with myself, while grounding my inner thoughts during times of uncertainty:
Journal. We all have our own unique thoughts that no one can replicate. Either choose a prompt or take five minutes to write about your day. It helps you feel immensely closer to yourself and can even help you learn new things about your character.
Scroll on Pinterest. This may seem counterintuitive because it feels as if you are just trying to capture versions of people that you see online, but it can spark your creativity! You can explore different styles or trends without having to try them out in real life. Learn how to merge different versions of things to create your own unique persona.
Create a playlist. Pick a feeling or an occasion and make a playlist that fits that aesthetic. We all feel and experience life differently. Different songs can evoke feelings and thoughts you didn’t even know that you had. Whether the music speaks to you or you are setting a song that speaks to your experiences, music is one of the best ways to express yourself.
Explore new hobbies. Discovering hobbies is an easy way to get us out of our routines. Even something as simple as a coloring book can help us explore new parts of ourselves. Some more involved hobbies could be needlepoint or learning to knit. Embarking on new opportunities for creativity, creates space for new knowledge about ourselves.
Remember you are your own person. Regardless of how socially confined this world may feel, we are more than the things we are a part of. We all have beautiful thoughts and feelings that we express in distinct ways. We will all grow, learn, and change in unique ways and life gives us a wonderful opportunity to explore them.
