Stage 1 of 7 · 7 lessons · ~1 week

Start noticing: what self-knowledge is, and is not

Learn what self-awareness actually means, why a personality type is weak evidence, and set up the one habit this whole roadmap depends on: a short, honest journal.

Start: Two kinds of self-awareness

Lessons· one lesson for each topic, in this order

Do this

Choose where your journal lives and keep it private
Write in it at least six times over two weeks, using the same three questions
Turn one "why am I like this" question into two "what" questions
Write your one-page starting snapshot and save it somewhere you will find it
Put a reminder in your calendar to read your journal back in four weeks

Start with

GuideFree
Greater Good in Action (UC Berkeley)
Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley
Short, research-based reflection practices from UC Berkeley you can try in ten minutes

Practise

Notion
A private page per week keeps your journal searchable and easy to read back

Keep handy

Self-Compassion (Dr Kristin Neff)
Kristin Neff's free exercises for noticing mistakes without attacking yourself

Also worth your time

The Power of Vulnerability (Brené Brown, TEDxHouston)Go deeper
Why looking honestly at yourself takes courage, in one short talk

Before moving on: A private journal you have written in at least six times, using the same three questions, plus a one-page starting snapshot of what you believe about yourself and the decision you are facing.

Tauseef's advice

Nobody discovers themselves in one weekend. You get to know yourself the same way you get to know anyone: by paying attention over time. Keep the journal small and regular, and be kind in it. Honest beats impressive.

Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).