7 Questions to Get to Know Yourself Better

7 Questions to Get to Know Yourself Better
Sara Clemente

Written and verified by psychologist and journalist Sara Clemente.

Last update: 21 December, 2022

Some questions make you uncomfortable because they have some significant aspect you haven’t explored yet. A lot of the time that means you won’t know how to answer. Here we’re going to give you 7 questions that can help you get to know yourself better. Read on and find out what they are!

What do you like most about yourself? What do you like least?

These questions can help you figure out how you see yourself. In other words, they help you determine your level of self-esteem.

If you ask yourself these two questions, you’ll learn what you think of yourself. If you don’t know how to respond, or can’t pick anything out, you might need to find a strategy or technique to improve your self-esteem. If you do that, you’ll truly feel better about yourself. You’ll also have more energy, and you’ll gain some emotional stability.

know yourself

What four adjectives describe you best?

This is one of the questions to get to know yourself better that someone might ask you at a job interview. It’s no small thing, either. They’ll know how you see yourself depending on how you order your answer. It’s generally very common to say things like “responsible and serious” or “hard-working, tough, and committed.”

Our suggestion is that you look for a more original answer. Pick something that makes your strengths stand out, something you value, something that makes you different. For example, if you say you’re cautious, it shows that you’re sensible. If you like to reflect on things and find solutions, say you’re analytical or problem-oriented. If you like to help others, tell them you’re cooperative, empathetic, or convincing.

You’ll have to connect with yourself if you want to respond in the right way. If you really want to get to know yourself, you can’t just say the first thing that comes to mind. Stop, think about it, and identify the adjectives that describe you best.

What do you need to be happy?

This is probably one of the best questions you can ask to get to know yourself better. If your answer is “nothing, I’m already happy,” well then congratulations! That means you’ve made happiness into a state of mind. Of course you’re not flowing with joy 24/7, but you know how to focus on your inherent value, which is what matters.

You’re grateful, you know how to focus on your priorities, and you value the things that are truly valuable to you. You don’t fight against your present, or live in the past. You know you have to enjoy every single moment.

On the other hand, if you have a long list of things you need to be happy, you should probably do some reflection. Is it really so important to have another degree, a bigger house, a better phone, or a fashionable car? Material things and the roles you play in life aren’t as important as your inner essence. True happiness is on the inside, not the outside. Never forget that.

woman who asked herself questions to get to know herself better living by her own rules

If you could turn back time, would you change anything?

Probably every single one of us regrets something we’ve done, or wishes certain things had gone differently. That’s unavoidable. Some people forget more quickly than others, and they know it’s better to do away with their distress. We think you should look back on the experiences that hurt you and talk about them. Letting the pain out  can help you get over it. 

If you feel paralyzed by the fact that you didn’t do something in the past, it’s never too late. Fortune favors the bold: it’s never a good idea to get lost in your memories or regrets. The healthiest thing is to accept them, take responsibility for them, and let them go. But if you think you have no control over this, you can get help from a psychologist.

What makes you the angriest?

Can you put up with things? Do you usually feel more annoyed with yourself than other people? How do you act when you’re angry? All these questions are very useful for getting to know yourself better and improving your relationships. 

If you know how you might react to certain things, you can communicate that to the people around you and make it easier to get along. If you realize that your style of anger is too aggressiveyou can try to express it verbally. You’re not trying to hurt them, you’re just trying to get them to understand your reasoning.

The point is for you to figure out what things or situations usually bother you. That way you can start to use some kind of personal strategy at the right moment. 

What would your friends say if we asked them these questions?

This question has a lot to do with letting other people get to know you. Are you reserved? Do your closest friends know what your dreams are, what you like and don’t like, and what your ambitions are? Basically, do they know you? The answers they give might surprise you. 

If you’re too shut off and never show yourself to other people, there’s something we want you to think about. If your relationship to them is a true friendship, they’ll feel sincere concern for you. They’ll want to understand you, not judge you, and they’ll know how to listen. Your problems will be their problems: they’ll help you out. So try to open up a little bit to them and you’ll feel their support. 

students

Are you nearing your objectives?

This is one of the most beneficial questions you can use to get to know yourself better. Do one last reflection. Are you taking small steps towards your goals or just floating through your daily life? 

Unfortunately, you can’t control whether you win the lottery or not. What you can do is choose your own path and who you want to be. You’re the master of your own life, and your decisions are what determines your future. Don’t let anyone else make decisions for you, and don’t let routine bog you down. Don’t be afraid of the big questions, because the answers to them lead to bigger, more important pathways that line up with your essence.

So ask yourself these questions to get to know yourself better! After you answer them all you’ll probably realize you have more power over what happens to you than you thought. But it might be the opposite too. It might be time for you to realize that luck and chance play a big role in the outcomes in your life. No matter what, always remember: growing means changing and developing. So be bold!


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.