Knowing how to find yourself is a process that never ends.

Experts say traveling solo, seeking therapy, and more help with finding yourself.

Cue: finding yourself.

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This journey is unique for everyone.

For some, it may take months; for others, it could span years or even a lifetime.

What does it mean to find myself?

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psychotherapist and women’s mental health specialist

Finding yourself is a concept that has been explored throughout all of human history.

Living authentically means that you know who you are and you know your values.

What are the symptoms of being lost?

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You might feel jealous of other people who are living the life you want, she explains.

You might judge others for their audacity or authenticity.

You might feel ashamed of your authentic self and therefore become critical and harsh with yourself.

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But by shutting down your true desires, your own happiness and sense of self-worth suffers.

So, finding yourself is a win-win.

But how, exactly, do we start?

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psychotherapist and women’s mental health specialist

How long does the process take?

And how do you know youre on the right track to finding yourself?

How do I begin to find myself?

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Finding yourself: Start small

Authenticity is like a muscle, says Dr. Chain.

First, focus on trying one small step each day that pushes you out of your comfort zone.

Soon, youll feel confident making larger decisions and taking bigger risks.

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Prioritize spending time with these people, suggests Herman.

You never know where you might find a kindred spirit.

Yasmine Saad, senior licensed clinical psychologist atMadison Park Psychological Services.

Next, ask yourself: What am I attempting to prevent by doing or saying this?

Why did I get so jealous when my cousin told me about her art show?

Maybe I should sign up again…

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If so, extend the time between the request and your answer.

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Finding yourself: Try something different

Remember the dance class?

However, this might mean losing some of the people who were used to the old,inauthenticyou.

You have to choose to either be inauthentic or be prepared to lose relationships.

These people arent ready to connect with the real you, and thats okay.

Theyre on their own journey.

Think about what you do on a regular basis that drains you of your energy rather than restoring it.

Can you limit those drama-filled phone conversations with your sister?

Eliminate anything that zaps energy from your life and replace it with more energizing people and activities.

If youve never tried it before,heres how to get started with therapy.

Finding yourself: List your core values

Remember those core values we talked about above?

This can help identify areas where you might be compromising your authenticity, Dr. Thornton explains.

Once youre aware of your core values, it will be obvious when youve violated one of them.

With practice, it will become second nature to follow them.

Repeat as often as necessary to stay relaxed and focused.

Nearly all of our experts recommended meditation as a wonderful way to discover your true self.

But if youre compromising your own values to meet someone elses demands, youre actually being a people-pleaser.

What factors influence and shape my identity?

Sure, its easy to just blame it all on our parents.

But there are likely even more underlying factors at play.

Its like a series of ah-ha moments, she explains.

These are the first stages of change and the grieving process that comes with [it].

You may feel overwhelmed and daunted by the changes ahead.

You may wonder if all this will be worth it.

You may question yourself and the process.

You will likely notice an increased ability to identify your own emotions and needs, Dr. Thornton notes.

So, if you begin feeling happier and more self-assured on a more consistent basis, congratulations!

It could be a sign that youve awakened your true self.

How long does it take to find yourself?

Sadly, its not that easy.

The key is to appreciate the importance of each step.

Each step will lead to a satisfying result.

When youre feeling emotionally drained, dont push it.

Instead, go for a long walk, take a bath, or watch your favorite comforting movie.

Make time to feel all the joy and love you are cultivating.

Embrace the journey with curiosity and openness, Herman advises.

Living authentically is not about achieving perfection, but about embracing your true self with all its imperfections.

I think the most important thing to remember is that we never arrive, Murry muses.

We will never get to the place of,Ahh, Ive made it!

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