Reconnecting To Your Core Values

You are not who you were 10 years ago.  You’ve grown and learned a lot along the way.  Now, consider where you’ll be in another 10 years.  Probably miles away from who you are now.  But, there are still core values that you hold real and true about yourself.  These are the things you never want to lose sight of.  These are the important things in your life that make up who you are, what you stand for, and believe to be true about yourself.

Core Values

Your core values are what make you – you.  Think back to growing up and what key traits or characteristics you held onto.  Maybe that was being adventurous, curious, honest, a good listener, or a powerful powerhouse, etc.  These are the traits that you tap into when you’re struggling, down, and need extra encouragement or motivation.  It’s the traits that help you keep going when life gets tough.  Whenever you encounter a challenge, you can rely on your core values to help you navigate and get through it.  Consider what these core values are for you.

Time

Perhaps you feel like you aren’t in tune with your core values anymore.  Maybe you feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself along the way.  Life happens and sometimes you get sidetracked to where your goals take a back seat.  Soon you’re looking in the mirror wondering where the time went and who is this person looking back at you.  You cannot waste time, especially now.  You never know just how much more time you have left.  It’s time to get yourself back on track, realign with your core values, and become the person you’re truly meant to be.

Who You Are Being

Start by taking an honest look at who you are currently being.  Ask yourself, do you even like yourself?  Maybe you have certain traits or habits that aren’t exactly healthy or helping you to make progress towards your goals.  Notice those things about yourself.  But also, you can’t just focus on the bad.  There are other parts of you that are actually doing a really darn good job.  Take the time to recognize that.  No matter how lost, stuck, or off track you currently feel, there is always an opportunity to come home to yourself.

Coming Home

Coming home to yourself means reconnecting to your core values.  It’s those things that light you up, make you smile, and happy.  Perhaps it’s the fun things you did as a child growing up.  Maybe it’s a hobby or sport.  It’s something that you can easily lose track of time because you enjoy it so much.  When you come home it feels easy, no stress, it’s like second nature, and comfortable like good pair of your favorite sweats.  It’s those things that matter to you that you don’t have to think about or question because it’s always been there.  When you come home to yourself it’s like you can pick up right where you left off.  Don’t worry, you’re not behind or completely lost.  You’re just coming home and finding yourself by reconnecting to your core values in life.

Grief

When you come home to yourself, you may realize that you’ve been disconnected from these parts of yourself.  Maybe something feels off or missing.  Grieve the parts of you that you’ve lost along the way.  Perhaps that’s some of your innocence, patience, real life people, etc.  Unfortunately, you can’t get these parts back.  But, you can move forward and continue to pull from the strength of your core values.  Identify and recall what those are.  Maybe that’s determined, ambitious, driven, courageous, etc.  You are always your core values.  You might have just lost touch or forgotten.

Reconnecting to your core values will help you remember who you truly are.  It’s coming home to yourself and rediscovering what makes you – you.  Sometimes you lose sight of this part of you but underneath it all, it is always there.  Lost but never forgotten.  You can find your core values by simply taking the time to reconnect to what’s most important to you.  Once was lost is now found.  Find yourself and remember your core values.  Then, use your core values to help you through life’s challenges to achieve your goals this year.

Take Action Challenge

Come Home To Your Core Values

Step 1: Identify Your Core Values

Set a timer and write down 3-5 core values that feel like a non-negotiable to you.

Ask yourself:

• What traits have always been a part of me, even in hard seasons?

• What values do I want to carry with me no matter how life changes?

Examples: honesty, courage, curiosity, compassion, ambition, creativity, etc.

Step 2: Reality Check

For each value, ask:

• How am I currently integrating this value in my life?

• Where have I drifted away from it?

No judgement - just honest awareness.

Step 3: Take One Coming Home Action

Choose one small action this week that realigns you with a core value you’ve been disconnected from.

Examples:

• If your value is creativity: schedule 30 minutes to write, paint, or brainstorm.

• If your value is connection: call someone who feels like home.

• If your value is courage: do the thing you’ve been avoiding.

Step 4: Mantra

Use this mantra: “When life feels noisy or confusing, I will return to my core values.”

Repeat this process anytime you feel lost, stuck, or off track from your core values.