Self-care Leads to Self-discovery

The more we get involved in self-care, the more we learn about ourselves. At some point, we recognize that self-care leads to self-discovery.

I realized my people pleasing tendencies caused me to forget myself. Over the years, I had lost myself in being what I believed other people expected me to be. When that stopped working, my thinking lead me to believe I was a bad person. In reality, I was just lost.

During one of my counseling sessions, I worked through an exercise that helped me refocus on who I really am. To my surprise, I’m not half bad. Not all of my memories are bad either. My heart had a foundation of love and faith I could rebuild on. Okay, they weren’t like giant boulders, but all highways begin with gravel!

Self-discovery can also uncover how we change. Priorities, our confidence levels, and negative experiences can affect our faith. But, have no fear, even a small piece of hope, of faith in God and ourselves, is enough to keep going. Spring always follows winter, and each day begins with a sunrise. God tells us in Lamentations 3:22-23, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

Explore Your Story

This month’s action sheet will show you the “Tree of Life” exercise with instructions to complete it on your own. The method, by the South African Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative and Dulwich Centre Foundation, was co-developed for children affected by HIV/AIDS. It helped them focus and gain strength from relationships with their own history, culture, and significant people and places.

At first, as with many of the exercises I did with my professional friend, I thought it might not be helpful for me. (Don’t worry, I shared my hesitation with her and she said I am not the first to feel that way!) But put those thoughts aside and try it. It may surprise you to discover something lost — yourself!

Wisdom is a tree of life for those who take firm hold of it. Those who cling to it are blessed.

Proverbs 3:18