Using self-care and self-discovery as coping mechanisms after a relationship has ended is not uncommon in our society. In fact, we are surrounded by depictions in media that encourage self-development after a breakup. If you look at many of the stories that precede these breakups, however, you learn that many of these individuals could have benefitted from self-awareness long before going through the relationship that led them to major change.
While we often consider ourselves to be single when we are not with another person, that doesn't mean that we are still not in an intimate relationship. The longest and most important relationship you will have is the one you have with yourself. Much like you can impact the lives of others, you can hurt, love, and change yourself in your own self-relationship. If you do not know yourself well or care about your personal relationship, you will have a much harder time adjusting to relationships with other people.
When we do not love ourselves or know who we are, we open the door for people who will often have the same traits. This is why we can see these individuals in abusive, neglectful relationships where they only realize the truth of their relationships when they gain more confidence and awareness. Some people will have to learn this lesson the hard way and learn it time and time again. Others may do the hard work before they start engaging in relationships.
No matter which individual you can relate to, you can always learn how to build your own relationship. To get you started, here are 9 deep questions to ask yourself that will help you develop a stronger relationship with yourself and with others!
1. What Do I Feel Like I Am Missing in My Life?
Adulthood is hectic and filled with responsibilities. With work, house chores, cooking, and other necessary parts of daily life taking up the bulk of our time, it can be hard to figure out what we really want to be doing, especially if we are not aware of these things. One great question to ask yourself that can open up the door for change in your life is what do I feel like I am missing? What are some things that I would like to be doing that I am not? Do I feel like there is a hole anywhere in my life? How can I fill it? Some examples of things you could be missing are a sense of community, a spiritual path, or even just free time to do some of the things you love. Asking yourself this question will give you more insight into who you are and what you want to be doing with your time.
2. What Are Some of My Long-Term and Short-Term Goals?
Without goals, our lives can begin to feel lifeless and repetitive. We can feel like we are getting nowhere because we're unsure where we are trying to go. Although it can be easy to think that we do not have any direction when we fall into this cycle, the truth is that everyone has something that we want to accomplish in our lives. What are some things you want to accomplish in your own life? You should think about your short-term goals first, as these will be easier to implement and track. Your short-term goal list could look something like this…
Once you've come up with goals that you can accomplish daily or weekly, you should turn your focus over to your long-term goals. Some long-term goals could include…
Long-term goals are goals that you are going to have to chip away at over time. So, what do goals tell you about yourself? Put, goals give you a sense of direction and help you learn more about what matters in all aspects of your life. Remember, however, that you should never pursue goals that aren't true to you. This is your life!
3. What Are Some of My Passions? How Could I Pursue Them?
We enjoy doing things, and then some activities absolutely light our souls on fire. Some people manage to build their careers around these passions, but others may only pursue them as hobbies. Regardless of where you are on this spectrum, it is important to remember that there are some things in your life that you should not compromise on. Including these activities in your life will positively impact your well-being and will give you a reprieve from the demands of life. Ask yourself, what are my passions? Do I actively have these in my life? If not, how could I begin to make sure they are being involved? Some common passions that you could come across include making music, painting, or helping others. Whatever makes you beam and feel light inside will give you a better idea of who you are as an individual and what you should include more in your life.
4. What Are My Values? Beliefs?
Everyone has personal values and beliefs. Some people develop these at a very young age and resonate with them throughout their lives, while others will need to develop them as they navigate life. That said, some universal values will not need to be brought into question. For example, one value that is held amongst almost everyone is honesty. When you begin evaluating your own values, you should take a closer look at what drives your actions. Do you value family? Do you value money? Do you value excellence? Your values are important because they are the foundation upon which your life is built. If you don't have any developed values, you can easily swerve along your path and make choices that aren't right for you.
Beyond values, we also have beliefs. Of course, this could be referring to religious beliefs, but it doesn't necessarily stop there. Beyond the scope of spirituality, beliefs are more like action statements for values. A value is a trait, but a belief is a statement regarding that trait. For example, you may believe that everyone should tell the truth, regardless of the consequences. Understanding your beliefs helps you better understand how you should be interacting with others and yourself. When you are aware of your values and beliefs, you understand the core of who you are and what drives you.
5. What Is My Purpose in Life?
Some people can live their lives without a purpose, while others thrive on having a reason behind doing the things they do. If you belong to the latter category, this purpose serves to drive your actions. For example, let's imagine that someone has struggled extensively with mental illness in the past. Now that they have learned how to conquer it, they have found that their purpose or calling is to help others who have struggled with the same issues. From here, they know what their passion is, and they can then use it to figure out what they should be doing. They could be a therapist or a life coach. Perhaps they want to write books for people who need help in certain areas. Keep in mind that this is just an example and that your purpose may be vastly different. What is your purpose? What do you want to be doing with your life? How can it serve you? Others? Your purpose is often something that you will pick up on as you continue to grow and explore. However, once you find it, it will be something that you will want to do all the time!
6. What Are Some Things That I Love About Myself?
We all have qualities that we love about ourselves. Whether these qualities are physical or personality-based, they stand out to us, and they make us proud. However, not everyone is as focused on the positive, contributing to a depressed mood and making you feel like you do not have as much worth as other people. The truth is that you are amazing. You have to figure out which parts are your favorite and build yourself up from there. What do you love about yourself? Do you love your eyes? Do you love your laugh? Are you constantly falling for your work ethic? Do you like the fact that you are loyal to your friends? No matter who you are, there is at least one thing that you love about yourself. Please make a list of these things as they will help to build your confidence and help you to establish a better relationship with yourself.
7. What Are Some Things I Would Like to Change?
In the wake of the recent waves of self-love and self-positivity, there is this false belief that you shouldn't want to change anything about yourself. Although you should always accept yourself, there are some things that you will want to change down the road. Again, these things could be physical aspects of things that you want to change within your life. Whether you want more piercings or want to make more money, you will always be things that you desire. What are some things that you would like to change in your life? Learning more about what you would like to change can show you some areas of your life that you may neglect or suppress. It would help if you never were unhappy with the way that you are. If you can change it, do it. If you can't change it, figure out what you need to do to embrace it and accept it.
8. What Am I Looking for in My Relationships?
Jumping into any relationship without boundaries or expectations can lead to friction down the road. Keep in mind that these are not limited to romantic relationships but friendships and familial relationships. For example, some people may want others constantly in their lives, while you will want a friend or a partner who has their own life separate from your own. Perhaps you are someone who needs someone with your same values, or, on the other hand, you could be someone who can get along with people who are exact opposites of who you are. Knowing what you want in your relationships helps you better understand who you are as an individual and who you are compatible with. Setting these standards ensures that you engage with better people and leave if they are not the right match!
9. How Could I Take Better Care of Myself?
It's an overly-used refrain in our society, but it is so important to emphasize when it comes to improving your own relationship. How well you take care of yourself determines how happy you are in your own life. While many of us may engage in a bit of self-care here and there, many of us don't know how to make sure we are having our needs met physically and emotionally. Are you taking care of yourself? Are there areas where you could improve? If so, how could you take better care of yourself? Here are some of the most common self-care tips to give you a better idea of some focus areas.
Just like you want to be there for a partner, you need to be there for yourself. Not making time or paying attention yourself will always be detrimental to your well-being. Explore your current self-care plan, and you will learn more about where you could improve.
Knowing yourself allows you to cultivate better relationships that leave you feeling happy and satisfied. Although this is a shortlist of some of the many suggestions out there, the 9 questions above will help you start your own path to self-discovery. Are you struggling with these suggestions? Do you feel like you need support in learning more about who you are and creating change in your life? If so, you should visit Regain!
Regain is an online counseling platform dedicated to providing you with the best relationship counseling advice possible. If you're ready to learn more about how you can improve your personal relationship, click on the link above, answer a few questions about yourself, and connect with a certified therapist who can help you with these questions today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are 10 questions to ask?
Here are 10 questions to ask a person that works for almost any relationship, whether that’s a new friendship, an existing friendship, a family relationship, a new dating relationship, or a long-term romantic relationship:
These questions work whether you are hoping to get to know someone you’re already somewhat close to on a deeper level as well as for those that you are just getting to know.
What are some juicy questions to ask your friends?
Here are some juicy questions to ask your friends:
What are some deeply personal questions?
Deep questions spark deep conversations, which is why asking deep questions can be beneficial for interpersonal connections. Whether you’re asking a friend deep questions or a partner deep questions, it can strengthen your bond. Here are some deep questions to ask if you want to connect with someone on a deeper level:
What are some juicy questions to ask a guy?
The best juicy questions to ask a guy will depend heavily on how well you know them and the current status of your relationship with them. If you are in a long-term relationship with someone, good juicy questions to ask might be deep questions or a couple's question such as, “What is something you would like to do together that we haven’t done before?” “What’s something that you’ve always wanted to ask me or tell me but never have?” or “Where do you see us in X number of years?” If you want to get to know someone on a deeper level but aren’t ready for deep questions that are the deepest of deep questions, you might stick with a question like, “if you had an unlimited amount of money, what would you do?” or “what compliments do you like to receive the most?” If you want to ask a deep question that is deep but not too deep, you might ask something like, “what is something that you wish you had in life that you don’t currently have?” or “what would you change about your life right now if you could?” These questions will help you get a better idea of what a person wants in life, making them excellent juicy or deep questions to ask without going too far.
What is a good question?
Often, a good question makes a person think. This is particularly true when it comes to what makes deep questions good. A good question may also help a person share something about themselves they wouldn’t usually get to talk about, that helps you to get to know them better, or a question that is a good conversation starter. What makes a good question depends heavily on who you’re asking it to and what you’re hoping to gain from asking the question. For example, a good icebreaker question is likely to look different than a good intimate question would. You won’t want to ask for one intimate question or a potentially uncomfortable question if you’re getting to know them. Still, the same question might not be uncomfortable and could help you get closer if you are in a close friendship or relationship.
What is a tricky question?
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a trick question is defined as “a deceptive question that is intended to make one give an answer that is not correct or that causes difficulty.” On the other hand, a tricky question typically refers to a question that makes a person think deeply before they answer or a hard answer.