What Are My Core Values?

Imagine walking through an unfamiliar city without a map or navigation system. Each crossroads has no signpost to tell you which direction leads where. You might wander aimlessly, following whatever path seems most appealing in the moment, or whichever route others around you are taking. Hours pass, and though you've covered considerable ground, you realise you've been moving without purpose, maybe even in circles, leading to growing frustration and emptiness. Meh!

This is what life can feel like when we haven't clarified our core values. We make decisions based on immediate gratification, external expectations, or just to avoid discomfort. We pursue goals that society deems worthy like career advancement, material possessions, relationship milestones, or external validation. Yet, even when we achieve them, something feels missing, as if we are living someone else's version of a good life rather than our own. What a waste!

Now imagine having an internal compass that helps you navigate life's complexities with confidence. When faced with difficult choices, you have a clear sense of which direction aligns with what matters most to you. You still encounter obstacles and challenges, but your efforts feel meaningful because they're connected to something larger and aligned. Even when the path is difficult, there's a sense of rightness about the journey, because it is the path of your true self.

This is what life can be like when we identify and live in alignment with our core values. Values are the fundamental principles that give our lives meaning and direction. They represent what we stand for and how we wish to engage with the world. Unlike goals, which can be achieved and checked off a list, values represent ongoing direction for living.

We never "arrive" at kindness or creativity or justice—we simply continue moving in those directions, finding fulfilment in the journey itself.