What exactly is meant when someone says, "I must find myself." Is is philosophical or psychological?

Question

I'm also of the opinion that I need to consider doing this. But I have no idea how to get started. Suggestions would be helpful.

Answer 1

Philosophical. Finding yourself is about defining your character. Deciding what you like and dislike, how you react to situations and the attitude that you present to the world. Psychological would be the chemical reactions in the brain that regulate moods and feelings.

Answer 2

The person is searching for the 'good life'. How do you find that which will maximize your potential in terms of your utility (happiness)? It can be both philosophical as you decide just what the 'good life' is, and psychological as you try to fit that which you enjoy, get pleasure/happiness from into that philosophical picture of a useful, good life.

'Re-examine all that you have been told... dismiss that which insults your soul' - Walt Whitman

That's where I started 5 years ago. Keep your mind open and be open to new experiences and people and push yourself to do new things. Think about what you liked to do when you were a kid, did you like music, art, making money, working with your hands? If you're not in a position to change jobs due to other responsibilities, look at your off-time, hobbies, past-times, preparation towards the time you can make that change.

I told my kids that it's much better to take time to find the thing you have a passion for. Regardless what that may be or how well it can offer compensation for your attention (money-wise), it's far better to work at something you love and can get up in the morning eager to get to work.

Hope you 'find yourself' somewhere along the way. But spending a life searching and learning to enjoy the search is probably not all that bad either.

Excelsior! and Peace

Answer 3

To me, the phrase is more on the psychological context.

One can honestly and infallibly say, 'i lost myself' when there was a time in his life that me made wrong judgments or reasoning, or have fallen on a trap wherein he totally lost his senses, self-esteem, and qualities that made him find himself. Finding oneself connotes positive outlook, it could be achievemenst, elevated self-esteem, or personal upheavals.
In finding oneself, you set an ideal of what would yourself look like or be in certain time, place or scenario. If this ideal is not met, you lose that paradigm of yourself thus triggering negative emotions like lowered self-esteem, worthlessness, and even anxiety.
You must come to turning point where you will need to start all over again to find that model you made yourself.

I know what you mean. It is hard when you lose yourself. It'll take a lot of bravery, self-confidence, and strong will-power on your part. You just have to make that first step, don't look back and keep going. so long as you didn't put that paradigm high on a pedestal, you can do it starting from the bottom.
If this is not totally the point of view you are trying to arrive at and your situation is totally different from mine(i used myself as an example above), you can still find yourself, using your heart to find it.

Answer 4

I am not an expert on anything, but is my humble opinion that is a combination of both!!!

Philosophically speaking, is the way a person expresses the need to look for the logical reason of what it already is!!!

Psychologically speaking is the way on expresses the need to discern, pick and choose of all the so many choices, of who one can be; over the way one already is!!!

That is why "finding oneself" takes time for some, and never happen for many others. It is NOT an easy task, to find oneself, when usually a person wants to be one way, but react and act another.

The "I MUST FIND MYSELF", is the who, that person wants to be. Is the where, how, when and with whom, that person wants, in order to feel happiness and peace, withing oneself!!!

GOD BLESS YOU & HAPPY LIFE

A.Z.

Answer 5

psychological, for sure. Start by jotting down in a note book , WHAT YOU DID IN THE PAST THAT WAS JUST SOMETHING YOU DID FOR YOURSELF, or somethings that brought you pleasure and peace.
Next get rid of objects in your home that makes you feel hectic inside.
If you have unfinished bussiness with people GET IT DONE.
Take time to talk to God, at least once a day.
Watch out for fast food and over processed foods which brings on DEPRESSION, The number one reason people need to find themselves!
If you have a spouse, get him/her close-back into your life, You'll be thousand times more miserable without him/her!

Answer 6

I'm in the middle of one of those phases, and for me, it's philosophical. I think that it's mostly about investigating topics and making your own opinions rather than just listening to what other people (parents, siblings, friends, other family members, ect) think and following blindly.

Answer 7

Sorting out of habits and thoughts, of values to keep and to change. they are both,philosophical and psychological both are used to find the identity you will discover to be your truest and most fitting companion in life.

Answer 8

This is about making a definition of yourself. It's about knowing your strengths and limitations, your aspirations, your goals, your achievements, your desires...it is because at one point in your life, you have no idea who you really are. You may disagree with me but I think a person who wants to find himself/herself is already tired of living up to other people's standards.

Answer 9

Psychological.. no further explanation needed

Answer 10

it would be both since we differ in our respective views about everything, for my suggestion you can start reflecting on what have you already done before and right now