Know Thyself (Before the Internet Tells You Who You Are)

🧠 Know Thyself

I had an interaction recently with a man whose entire identity seemed wrapped up in his political party. It wasn’t really a conversation. It was more like a competition to prove who was “right.”

It made me stop and think about how often we absorb opinions instead of developing our own. Do I really know where my beliefs come from, or did I just collect them over time from family, faith, and social media?

So I decided to do a thought experiment. Not on paper (let’s be real, I’d lose patience halfway through). I typed it all out on my computer.

This wasn’t about changing my mind. It was about getting clarity. If a politician I voted for later does something I disagree with, I want to know exactly why it doesn’t sit right. I want to have my core beliefs written down instead of floating around in my head.

It’s my version of “Know thyself.”

You can do it too.

💭 The “Know Thyself” Thought Experiment

(Reverse-engineer your beliefs before you attach them to a political label.)

This isn’t an exhaustive list of every issue out there. It’s just a starting point. It’s a way to look under the surface and see what’s really driving your opinions before the world tells you what to think.

1. Humanity and Empathy

Ask yourself:

• What makes someone a good person in my eyes?
• Do I believe people are mostly good, mostly bad, or shaped by circumstances?
• How should society treat people who’ve made mistakes?

These questions can show how you define compassion and personal responsibility.

2. Justice and Accountability

Ask yourself:

• What does justice mean to me?
• Do I believe everyone deserves a second chance?
• Should we focus more on prevention or punishment?

This helps clarify what you think fairness looks like in action.

3. Safety and Responsibility

Ask yourself:

• What role should government play in keeping people safe?
• How much responsibility should fall on families, schools, or individuals?
• Should emotional regulation and trauma education be part of crime prevention?

This can reveal how you view the balance between community support and personal accountability.

4. Immigration and Belonging

Ask yourself:

• What values should guide immigration policy?
• How can we welcome people in need while protecting citizens?
• Should people with violent criminal histories (like rapists or murderers) be denied entry?

This helps define what fairness and safety mean to you in a global context.

5. Freedom and Fairness

Ask yourself:

• What does freedom mean to me?
• Do I believe in equality of opportunity, equality of outcome, or both?
• When should government step in, and when should it step back?

This gets to the heart of how you define independence and collective responsibility.

6. Leadership and Accountability

Ask yourself:

• What behavior do I expect from leaders?
• How should they respond when they’re wrong?
• What are my dealbreakers for continued support?

This shows how you measure integrity and consistency.

7. Growth and Awareness

Ask yourself:

• When was the last time I changed my mind about something important?
• What helped me open up to a new perspective?
• What do I hope future me believes, even if the world changes?

This helps you see whether your values are rigid or flexible and how experience shapes your thinking.

✍️ Why This Matters

Writing down your beliefs helps separate facts from emotion. It also keeps you grounded when things get loud online or when a political issue pushes your buttons.

You may notice patterns, like how your childhood shaped your view of justice or how parenthood changed your view of safety. It’s not about being right or wrong. It’s about understanding where your views came from and whether they still fit who you are now.

And again, this isn’t everything. These questions are just a doorway into deeper awareness. The more you explore, the more you’ll see how complex and human your beliefs really are.

🪞Your Challenge

Set aside 20 minutes. Open a blank document. Answer a few of these questions. Be honest and curious.

Then, check back in a year or two. See what stayed the same and what changed.

That’s self-awareness. That’s growth. That’s how you know yourself before anyone else tries to tell you who you are.

💬 Final Thoughts

Seeing my beliefs written out surprised me. I’ve spent most of my life trying to fit in, keeping my opinions quiet so I wouldn’t “rock the boat.” Part of that comes from growing up in Texas, where sharing certain views can make people pull away fast.

I used to fear that being honest about what I believe would make people judge or reject me even more than they already had. But putting it all down helped me realize something important: I can hold my beliefs with both confidence and openness. I don’t need to shout them, but I also don’t need to hide.

For my AuDHD brain, clarity is calming. Seeing everything organized on paper took the chaos out of my thoughts. It helped me notice patterns, question assumptions, and find peace with my own complexity.

Maybe that’s the real point of this exercise. When you understand yourself clearly, you’re less reactive and more regulated. You can stay grounded in your values, even when the world around you is loud and divided.