Embracing My Year of Self-Discovery: A Journey to Authenticity

It’s Scorpio season, and as my birthday approaches, I always take this time to reflect on the past year. I don’t use January 1st as my new year’s starting point – I use my birthday to set the tone for what’s ahead.

This year, 2024, was all about self-discovery, and I want to share what that journey has taught me. So if you’re on a path of growth, change, or self-reflection, I think you’ll find some value in this. Let’s get started!

Why Self-Discovery Matters:

So why self-discovery? For me, I realized I was living on autopilot – just going through the motions without truly moving toward what I envisioned for my life. It felt like my business was going in circles, and I needed to make a change.

I decided to explore what really lights me up, what brings me joy, and the direction I wanted my business and life to take. I chose to embrace boldness and authenticity, and by doing so, I felt a new alignment in my personal life and business.

Tools for Self-Discovery – The MICAH Principles:

One of the biggest tools that guided me this year was the MICAH principles: Mindset, Intention, Choices, Action, and Habits. I had lived by these principles loosely before, but this year I embraced them fully.

By doing this, I found myself moving from “stuck” to intentional action. I made choices that aligned with the values I wanted to live by. And gradually, I noticed that my business and personal life started to reflect that growth.

Practical Changes I Made:

To start this journey, I began journaling daily – not just writing down goals but reflecting on my experiences, emotions, and growth. Walking also became part of my routine again, as I find it’s my version of meditation.

Gratitude was another key component. I began each day with a few minutes to acknowledge what I was grateful for, and it helped shift my perspective from lack to abundance.

The Power of Letting Go:

Alongside these positive habits, I also had to let go of relationships and habits that no longer served me. Some friendships felt draining or unsupportive, and as hard as it was, I knew I needed to create some distance.

It was a tough process, but I reminded myself that people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. It’s okay to honor the journey with those people and still move forward in a new direction

Breaking Limiting Beliefs:

Another big step in my self-discovery was identifying my limiting beliefs. I realized I was stuck in the past, comparing my current business to the “good old days” of 2019 – 2021. Holding on to that narrative wasn’t helping me grow; it was keeping me stagnant.

Now, I’m focusing on creating new stories and reminding myself that past struggles don’t define my future. This shift in mindset allowed my creativity to flow, and I started thinking about fresh ideas and directions.

Finding Inspiration in Others:

I also spent time listening to stories of successful people, like Cathy Hughes, an inspiring entrepreneur whose journey reminded me of the power of faith. I realized faith had been my foundation in the past, and I wanted it to continue to guide me going forward.

Hearing about her resilience reignited my own drive and reminded me that every entrepreneur’s path is different, but we all face struggles.

Faith, for me, has become my word of the year for a second time – that’s how impactful it is.

Embracing the Present Moment:

Instead of only focusing on a distant “future self,” I wrote a letter to my present self, encouraging her to take daily steps forward. I reminded myself that it’s about what I do today, the choices I make right now, that will shape who I become.

For anyone reading this post, I suggest doing the same. Write a letter to your present self, encouraging her to make small, meaningful changes each day. This practice has grounded me and empowered me to keep moving forward.

Conclusion and Reflection:

As I approach this next year, I feel like I’m finally stepping into the truest version of myself.

I’m building my journaling business, creating a Journal Club to launch in 2025, and looking forward to growing with a community of like-minded people.

If you’re on a journey of self-discovery, remember that every step counts. Reflecting on our experiences, identifying our strengths, and letting go of what no longer serves us will get us closer to where we want to be.

If you’re feeling inspired to start your own self-discovery journey, grab your Align & Awaken Self-Discovery Journal here and start your journey toward authenticity today!

The journal is packed with prompts and exercises designed to help you explore your inner world and discover what really matters to you.

Let’s make this year the year you embrace your authentic self!

Sherry Lou

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