Your late teenage years and early twenties (and honestly, life in general) may often be filled with utter confusion and overwhelming change. I have noticed the reconstruction of myself in just the past few years, yet alone few months. We are being asked to make life decisions while still struggling to decide what Netflix show to immerse in next. This can be a very transformative portion of your life.

At the core, our life desire is to be experiencing a life of purpose and meaning. Becoming in touch with your inner self can help you live your life full of intention and create design, rather than by chance or accident. Sometimes the hardest part to achieving this is first deciding what you truly want for your life. These questions should help you come a little closer to understanding yourself and what you want from the rest of your life.

1. What excites you?

I put this question first for a reason. I think many times we spend too much of our life doing things society or other people expect us to do and as people pleasers do, as I am guilty, it is in our nature to please them. Living a life of personal, intentional excitement is essential to pure joy. One of the cruelest things you can do to yourself is hold yourself back from doing things you love. This becomes very critical when deciding on a career. Most likely the things you love doing most are the things you excel the most in.

2. Who is important to you?

Always let people know how much they mean to you. In my generation especially, we often take those around us for granted. It is "lame" to not let people know how important they are to you or how much you love them and I hate it. I hate the "how should I word this text?" skepticism. Be raw and personal and honest with those you care about because they make up a big portion of who you are. Keep those people in your life that make you feel like you matter and be intentional about reminding them they matter, too. The greatest weakness I often see in people is their hesitancy to tell others how much they love them while they can. People are broken by the words left unspoken. Cultivating human relationships of happiness, genuinely, and love are so so important.

3. How do you decompress?

Keep those breath-of-fresh-air-and-comfort feelings near and dear; continually do things which bring you inner peace and happiness. This may be reading your favorite book, catching up with an old friend, or drinking your favorite cup of coffee. Keep yourself occupied with de-stressing activities because well, life can simply be too stressful to handle without them.

4. What lyrics speak to you?

If you are anything like me, music is a critical part to who you are. Notice the songs and lyrics that make you feel lit up inside and also take note of the ones that hurt. Feel these feelings. Remind yourself of the good and the bad. Sometimes an artist can sing your feelings better than you could ever articulate them. Play more of the music that makes you think, more of the music that helps you love, and more of the music that makes your soul feel truly happy inside. What about those lyrics make you feel that way?

5. What philosophy do you live by?

Finding life mottos and quotes is one of my all-time favorite pastimes. Whether they are serious or silly, they change my perspectives for the better. They provide a sense of comfort in that others are feeling the same feelings I am. When I am feeling upset, they remind me of the happiness in little things. They provide comfort, encourage, and authenticity in a world of chaos. Quotes can help you decipher the way in which your mind wonders and connects. I have always had a fervor for the way in which I am deeply affected by the strangest combination of words.

"No beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart."

6. What do you wish more people understood about you?

People often feel misunderstood and it separates them from who the really are as they try to fit the mold of society of who they think they should be. By determining what you want others to understand about you, you will know where your heart will shine and thrive. Having others understand you a little better will take off pressure you may have not even know you have.

7. What do you think about the most often?

Notice where your head wanders throughout the day. Pay attention to little thoughts. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. Do not let negative thoughts deprive you of happiness. Your energy will flow where your attention goes.

8. What do you need to do to improve yourself?

We all have faults, make mistakes, and struggle. It is okay. Accept yourself for who you are now, but continually work to toward achieving higher greatness and never grow complacent in who you are. When we strive to better ourselves, everything around us seemingly becomes better, too.Look around you.Everything on this Earth is constantly changing, adaption, evolving, improving, and enhancing. You were not put on this Earth to remain stagnant.

9. What is your biggest self-limiting belief? and what would you do and how would you live if you knew you would not fail?

Acknowledging what constrains you can set you free of those limitations. The only limits in your life are those you create. Therefore, recognition is the first and most important step in destroying any limitation. Your thoughts are powerful and understanding what is limiting you allows you the first step to overcoming it. This involves a journey that may take time of self-reflection. Do not let fear stop you because when you do, the next thing you know is your life will have passed you by and you will have lost your chance. If you need any further reassurance...the phrase "do not be afraid" is found in the Bible 365 times.

"What if I fall? Oh, but darling, what if you fly?"

Do not take life too seriously or make it too hard on yourself. Notice what makes your heart beat a little faster and do more of that.