Healing through recovery absolutely helps us to know ourselves better. We learn, we grow, we transform, and we carry this with us as wisdom. Today, let’s talk about some tools that help us know ourselves better. Even if you know yourself well, it can be fun to explore other kinds of tools to see what discoveries can be unearthed. You might be surprised!

Here’s some potential self-exploration tools to consider-and, most mentioned have free online tests and information with a couple of exceptions. For job hunters and career changers there is a book called, What Color Is Your Parachute. There is the Strengths Finder book and/or online tool. 123test-Career Aptitude and O’NET and several others available. The Enneagram is a very old tool that shows a person their gifts and shadow side using 9 characters. There is the Myers-Briggs that distinguishes one among its sixteen types. Rl uses a tool called Stand Out to help us know ourselves and our coworkers better.

There are self-exploration tools that utilize Astrology-someone might ask, “What’s your sign?” (Sun, Rising/Ascendant, Moon) and much more. Numerology uses tools to show one their Life Path/Purpose, Destiny, Personality numbers and more. I did a Mayan Chart once and that was very interesting. It explored conscious and unconscious selves, challenges, and things that come naturally etc. It used uncommon language like, “Yellow Human, Red Skywalker, White World-Bridger” to describe attributes. That was a lot of fun.

And I know I have just barely touched the surface of the myriad of tools available.

What is important for each of us is to continue to know and understand ourselves better. There are so many options and free tools to explore. Be curious and have fun getting to know yourself more deeply-you have nothing to lose and more wisdom to gain!

Cheri Thomas

Cheri works as a Peer Support Specialist for RI in Arizona. She has experienced loss and grief which has led her to write for the masses to bring voice to those in similar situations. Cheri possesses a deep passion to share with, encourage, and inspire others on what she calls the Journey of the Heart.