I know, I know—normally you’re told to take risks and get outside your comfort zone and live on the edge and find yourself. I, however, would like to argue on behalf of recognizing who you’re not. Obviously this can and will change over the years, because all human beings can and will change. But there’s a certain freedom that comes with understanding yourself, your likes and dislikes, and owning those facts. For example, I consider myself an introvert, and I spent years feeling sorta bad about it—as though I should try to be more outgoing and talkative and gregarious. Even when I did try to amp up parts of my personality to fit that mold, I mostly felt weird and fake. Finally, I decided to accept the fact that I would always veer to the side of introspective and quiet, which actually now serves as one of my top strengths.