Grab a Coffee - With Yourself

Three weeks of social distancing can be tough, but look on the bright side! Now you have time to finally put away your clothes, or write that book you never finished. Or you could grab a coffee - with yourself! Self-discovery is a life-long journey that teaches you to be forgiving, understanding, and accepting of who you truly are as a human being. It brings clarity into your life and helps you make those big decisions with certainty. Self-discovery is like unravelling knots you have been trying to forget about - it can be uncomfortable and messy, but will leave you feeling relieved and confident in who you are!

Personally, I have begun discovering myself through a variety of methods. Both personality tests, meditation, journalling, and long talks with friends. Knowing who I am as a person has allowed me to be confident and to live the life I want! I have written about a few of my favourite methods of self-discovery so you can try them out when you get bored at home!

16 Personalities (The Myers-Briggs Personality Test)

The Myers-Briggs personality test asks you to answer questions and uses your answers to categorize your personality based on how you would act and think in situations. There are four key dimensions used to categorize people; 

Introversion vs. Extraversion

Sensing vs. Intuition 

Thinking vs. Feeling

Judging vs. Perceiving

Each are a different style of being, and determine predictable patterns in thought and behaviour so that people with the same four styles share commonalities. These styles provide insight into how people approach their lives, what hobbies they would enjoy, and what career paths would best suit them. There are 16 personalities that are all a unique combination of these styles of being! For example, I am ENFP, the Champion or Diplomat! This means that I am Extraverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, and Perceptive. I am a people-centred creator full of enthusiasm and energy. People like me love helping others explore their potential.

This test also provides insights on your strengths and weaknesses, possible career options, relationship advice, and tips to deal with stress. 

There are people who do not believe in the Myers-Briggs test because you may get different results every time you do the test. I have done this test several times, and it has changed! But so have I! A few years ago I had the personality type INFJ - a creative introvert who loved helping others. What has changed is that I am now much more extraverted, and I observe the world first rather than immediately judging it. I am quite happy that my personality type has changed, as it reflects who I am today! It is important to be complexity honest with yourself while doing this test, or your results will not reflect who you really are. 

Check out this link to learn more about the Myers-Briggs test, and take it for yourself!

Horoscopes 

For millennia humans have looked to the stars for guidance, so why not look there for personal guidance too!? Astrologers (people who study the stars) believe that the Sun, Moon, and planets at the time of someones birth directly influence that individuals life. For example, my birth month is May, meaning my horoscope is a Taurus. Typically, these types of people are grounded, stubborn, and independent. Whereas Aries (born between March 20 and April 21), are passionate, motivated, and confident leaders!

It can be difficult to understand the language used with horoscopes, so I’ve provided you all with some beginners tips! First of a all, you do not have just one sign, but many! The three main ones are your Sun, Moon, and Ascendant signs. So while I am a Taurus, my Moon is in Taurus, and my Ascendant is in Libra! What do those even mean?! I’ve got you covered; 

Sun - general themes in life

Moon - themes with your emotional inner self

Ascendent - timing of when things will happen (new job, new relationship)

It is also important to understand what element your sign is associated with, mine is associated with Earth! Here are the basics…

Earth (Taurus, Capricorn, Virgo) tend to be stubborn, logical, and practical.

Fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) tend to be passionate, bold, and opinionated. 

Air (Gemini, Aquarius, Libra) tend to be fluid, and are all about self-expression.

Water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) tend to be sensitive, altruistic, and idealistic. 

There is much more you can use to understand yourself, like how the planets affect you and what each of your houses mean! But I will let you discover that for yourself, I won’t take away all your fun!

Horoscopes connect you to the universe by basing your characteristics on the movement of celestial bodies. If this intrigues you the way it does me, check out Cafe Astrology, Horoscope Yourself, or check out the app Co-Star. 

Ayurveda Body Types

Knowing your Aryuvedic body type is especially interesting for those who find value in knowing how to heal your body with natural remedies and excerise. Ayurveda is considered to be the oldest healing science in the world (Ayurveda literally means ‘The Science of Life’). This science puts value  in prevention and balance in the body. Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, each person has a unique pattern of energy that depends on our physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. Ayurveda looks to balance the body through understanding how the elemental energies manifest. It is believed that there are three body systems (called Dosha) the energies can manifest; 

Vata - subtle energy of movement 

Pitta - energy of digestion and metabolism 

Kapha - energy that forms the bodies structure

If someone has an abundance of one type of Dosha then they are considered to be imbalanced. This imbalance can manifest in physical, mental, or emotional forms such as mental illness, disease, or stress. 

While everyone has each body in their own, we each have one that is more predominant. I found it helpful to learn about my dominant body when it comes to nutrition. My body type is Pitta, meaning I will tend to have a medium build, sensitive skin, and a strong appetite. Ayurveda also provides recommendations on foods that will boost your health, foods to avoid, and ways in which your specific body will manifest imbalances. You can gain insight on foods to incorporate to ease stress, anger, as well as foods to help with issues such as dry skin, oily hair, and weak joints. 

For me, I will feel the best with a diet of rice, and vegetables as staples. It is also suggested to avoid excess alcohol, eggs, and salt. I find this information helpful as a guide to my nutrition and maintaining a healthy physical spirit!

If you want to read more about Ayurveda check out the Ayurvedic Institute, and to find out what your dominant Dosha is, do this quick test from the School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion!

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