Forget About Finding Yourself – Create Yourself Instead!

So many people go through life trying to “find themselves.” We read self-help books, hire career counselors, take trips to think about our life, write in diaries and, for the most part, we end up where we started.

I recently read a quote by George Bernard Shaw, which reminded me of the importance of seeing personal exploration as an active process. He said, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

I think what he captures here is that you will never find yourself through mental activity alone. The best way to find yourself is to get out into the world and explore. By following your passions and living your values, your personality will emerge over time.

By the time we reach our 60s, it’s easy to believe that “we are who we are.” I don’t believe this at all. I’ve met women who have gone back to school, traveled the world and written books well into their 60s and 70s. These women are continuing to create themselves – and, along the way, they are finding out who they really are.

What do you think about this topic? Do you agree with George Bernard Shaw that life is all about creating yourself, not finding yourself? What are you doing in your 60s or 70s to continue to improve yourself? Please add your thoughts below.