Dear Soul Searcher, 

"Who am I?" is a question that rests heavily on the shoulders of the introspective and cerebrally-inclined. Sometimes interesting, most times confusing; it has often led me to flounder in a navel-gazing haze of doubt and frustration. Do I define myself by my capabilities, or by unrealised potential? By what I want, or what I don't want? If I do find an identity, how much wiggle room is there for change and growth? 

The trite expression "be yourself" always led me to quietly ask "...but which one?" 

Because some days I am gregarious and fearless; other days I am uncertain and sink into insularity. Some days I feel melancholic; other days I look to the world with sparkling dreams and promise written in my eyes. 

Questions of identity run rampant through the minds of our generation. The generation of the "emerging adult"; a generation that loves to travel, and are curious about introspective practices such as yoga and meditation. A generation that has the luxury (or is it the curse?) of posing the question "who am I?". 

Maybe it's not my generation; maybe it's just me. So, speaking on my behalf only - my experiences have taught me a lesson: who I am doesn't matter, but what I do may matter - how I treat others, how I show up, how I contribute, on whatever scale that may be. 

Let go of incessant introspection. Stop trying so hard to "figure it out". Life is not meant to be "figured out", it is meant to be lived. 

I gave up trying to "find myself", and became engrossed in small details and big ideas. I became awestruck by things bigger than me, and got lost in the minutiae of mundane moments. I threw myself into passionate, meaningful conversations and became mesmerised by the minds of others. 

I found challenging ideas, beautiful moments and beguiling company in which to lose myself; and I want to keep losing myself, over and over again. 

It is in the paradox of losing myself that I feel closest to finding myself.

Photo thanks to Mike Huxley at Bemused Backpacker