Getting to Know You
The Most Important Relationship You’ll Ever Have Might Be the One You’re Neglecting
Do you know yourself?
I mean really know you.
What you like.
What you don’t like.
What gives you energy.
What drains you.
What makes you feel alive.
What leaves you feeling empty.
When you look in the mirror, do you see your strengths? Your weaknesses? Your potential? Or do you see a stranger staring back?
It’s surprisingly easy to lose ourselves.
You can lose yourself in your job.
You can lose yourself in a relationship.
You can lose yourself in your role as a parent.
You can lose yourself in pain.
In addiction.
In expectations.
In trying to be who others need you to be.
And slowly, without even realizing it, who you are takes a permanent back seat to what you’re doing.
Socrates once said:
“To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.”
But what happens when you’ve drifted away from yourself?
How do you find your way back?
Check Your V.I.T.A.L.S.
Every doctor visit starts the same way.
They check your vitals.
Heart rate.
Blood pressure.
Temperature.
Why?
Because vitals tell you whether something is healthy—or off.
I believe we need personal vitals too.
Here’s a simple acronym to help you check in with yourself:
V — Values
What truly matters to you?
Family?
Honesty?
Adventure?
Growth?
Creativity?
Faith?
Choose three that resonate deeply. Then ask:
Am I living these? Or just talking about them?
If creativity matters, are you creating?
If family matters, are you present?
If growth matters, are you stretching?
I — Interests
What interests you that aren’t tied to someone else?
If your only answers are work and family, you may be losing a part of yourself.
Do you enjoy reading? Writing? Hiking? Lifting? Painting? Music? Learning?
What do you like doing with just you?
And are you making time for it?
T — Temperament
Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Do you thrive in structure or spontaneity?
Do you recharge in quiet or activity?
If you constantly live against your temperament, exhaustion follows.
Self-knowledge helps you build environments where you thrive.
A — Activities
How are you spending your time?
What activities bring out your best?
Which ones drain you?
You may not control all of your responsibilities—but you do control some of your time.
Are you using any of it intentionally?
L — Life’s Purpose
This one can feel heavy.
But it matters.
What makes you feel alive?
What contribution feels meaningful to you?
Most purpose has a thread of service woven into it. We are wired to lift others.
What does that look like for you?
S — Spirituality
Joseph Smith once said:
“If men don’t comprehend God, they don’t comprehend themselves.”
You want to know who you are?
Come to know the One who created you.
We were created in His image.
The further we move away from God, the further we drift from ourselves.
The closer we move toward Him, the clearer we see who we really are.
Losing Myself
There was a period in my life when I completely lost myself.
And it wasn’t anyone’s fault but my own.
I stopped pursuing my interests.
Stopped making time for myself.
My purpose became clouded.
Even my relationship with God felt distant—because there wasn’t much of me left to bring into it.
No one has responsibility for you more than you.
Since that season, I’ve come to realize something powerful:
Getting to know yourself is the journey of a lifetime.
Understanding who you are unlocks who you can become.
But here’s the hard truth—
You can’t get to know yourself if you’re afraid to be alone.
Alone Isn’t Lonely
We live in a world terrified of silence.
Constant noise.
Constant connection.
Constant distraction.
But being alone doesn’t mean being lonely.
At first, it can feel uncomfortable—like sitting with a stranger.
But the more time you spend with yourself, the more you discover:
You actually like that person.
You learn what makes them happy.
You learn what makes them tired.
You learn what they need.
And instead of running from yourself, you start building a friendship.
The healthiest relationships are those where two people become one—without either one disappearing.
Even God models this perfectly.
The Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—are completely unified in purpose.
But distinct.
Unique.
Individual.
Strong together because of who they are individually.
That’s the balance we’re after.
A firm identity.
A unified purpose.
Anchoring Quote
“To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.”
And I would add—
To know God is the beginning of knowing yourself.
Reflection
Have you been losing yourself?
Have your V.I.T.A.L.S. been ignored?
Which letter stands out most to you right now?
Values?
Interests?
Purpose?
Spirituality?
If you’re honest, where are you drifting?
Today’s Daily Challenge
Today, check your V.I.T.A.L.S.
Not your spouse’s.
Not your child’s.
Not your friend’s.
Yours.
Then do one small thing for yourself:
Take yourself to lunch.
Go for a solo drive.
Write.
Pray.
Reflect.
Reconnect.
Because when you are healthy, everyone around you benefits.
And remember this truth:
The further we move away from God, the further we move away from ourselves.
Move closer today.
You might just rediscover you.
Grateful you’re here.
More Daily Devotionals:
joshdowns.com/daily-devotionals
Come Follow Me for Teens:
joshdowns.com/come-follow-me-for-teens
Until next time — keep driving forward. 🚗
