What Soul Searching Actually Means—and How to Do It Right
It's never a bad time to try to find yourself
Verywell Mind / Getty Images
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
Simply put, soul searching means trying to find meaning and purpose in life. It’s all about figuring out the “why” for our existence, and it’s about fueling our lives with purpose and intent. Soul searching is something we all do at one point or another. It’s totally healthy and meaningful to engage in soul searching.
Ready to learn more about soul searching, including what it means, why people do it, different ways to do it, and how to integrate soul searching into your life? Read on for everything you need to know about the art of soul searching.
Related: 'What Is the Point of Life?': Why You Might Feel This Way
Understanding the Concept of Soul Searching
Soul searching isn’t a medical term or even a term used frequently in psychiatry, but it describes a healthy level of introspection that it’s common to dabble in from time to time, or during periods in your life where you are looking to find deeper meaning.
From a psychological standpoint, soul searching is a “deep introspective process through which an individual seeks to gain insight into their innermost thoughts, emotions, values, and beliefs,” explains Natalie Rosado, LMHC, therapist and founder of Tampa Counseling Place.
Folks engaging in soul searching may be drawn to it as a way to confront unresolved conflicts, better understand their identity, and deepen their connection to themselves and others, says Rosado.
Related: How to Recognize and Cope With an Identity Crisis
Exploring the Purpose of Soul Searching
So why exactly do people feel so drawn to soul searching? What are their motivations for engaging in it? As Rosado explains, soul searching is a way for people to do the following:
Gain self-awareness
Clarify their values
Find purpose and meaning in life
In fact, many people think of soul searching as an essential way to understand yourself better and to establish a purpose in life, Rosado describes. “It's like getting to know the true you from the bottom of your heart,” she describes. Introspection and reflection can also help establish a deeper connection to oneself and to others. “Connection is vital to us because it fulfills our fundamental need for belonging and intimacy,” says Rosado.
Related: The Importance of Self-Reflection: How Looking Inward Can Improve Your Mental Health
Benefits of Soul Searching
According to Clifford Feldman, MD, psychiatrist and medical director at Solace Treatment Center, people are often attracted to soul searching at specific times in their lives. “People often feel drawn to soul searching during periods of transition, confusion, or dissatisfaction, seeking clarity about their purpose, direction, or choices,” he explains.
Dr. Feldman says that the benefits of soul searching are profound and may include:
More self-understanding and acceptance
Increased alignment between a person’s actions and values
Enhanced decision-making abilities
Soul searching also pays a major role in personal growth. “By questioning old patterns and embracing change, you're making room for yourself to step into the best possible version of who you are,” he explains.
For example, let’s say there’s someone who realizes through soul searching that they don’t like their job anymore and that it doesn’t align with their values. “After this realization, they may go out there into the world and find what truly makes them happy professionally,” Dr. Feldman says.
Related: The Psychology of Decision-Making Strategies
How to Engage in Soul Searching
Ready to get the soul searching party started? Soul searching can simply involve thinking about all the “hows” and “whys” of life. It might involve sharing those thoughts with trusted family and friends. But it can also involve some specific activities that may enhance or deepen your soul search.
Here are a few techniques to help you engage in self-reflection.
Mindfulness Meditation
Meditation and mindfulness are wonderful ways to soul search, says Dr. Feldman. You can practice meditation as a formal daily practice while you are soul searching. Or you can just work on being more mindful in everyday life, Dr. Feldman recommends.
But meditation isn’t just great for soul searching. Research has also found meditation can help with various mental health conditions, like anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD. It’s also found to be beneficial for certain health conditions, including high blood pressure and chronic pain.
Journaling
Journaling is a great way to do a little soul searching, says Dr. Feldman. “Writing about daily experiences, thoughts, and emotions can clarify one's feelings and motivations, revealing patterns or conflicts that need addressing,” he explains.
Journaling is also just generally good for your mental health and well being. For instance, a 2022 study found that journaling reduced anxiety by 9%, PTSD by 6%, and depression by 2%.
Spending Time in Nature
Want to soul search like a pro? Get yourself out of your house and into nature. “Spending time in nature, away from daily distractions, can foster a sense of peace and connectedness, making it easier to reflect on personal goals and values,” says Dr. Feldman.
Spending time in nature isn’t just a good way to soul search. It has numerous health benefits, including better cognition and lowered blood pressure. It’s also a perfect way to engage in physical activity, which can get your juices flowing, and the soul searching going.
Therapy
Rosado says that therapy is a great way to engage in soul searching. There are two types of therapy that center around the idea of finding oneself: logotherapy and existential psychotherapy.
But you don’t necessarily need a therapist who practices those types of therapy. Any therapist who you find easy to talk to, and who helps you explore things like life’s purpose and meaning, is a good therapist for soul searching.
Other Techniques
Beyond the more traditional techniques like journaling and meditation, there are various other things you can do to spark some soul searching. Here are Rosado’s suggestions:
Solo travel
Vision quests
Dream work
Silent retreats
Life mapping
Adventure challenges
Volunteering
Common Challenges in Soul Searching
We get it—soul searching can be difficult at times. “Soul searching can be challenging, which is totally normal and okay,” Rosado says. It’s valid to feel like things are hard and that you aren’t really making any progress. Many people end up feeling confused or overwhelmed too, Rosado describes.
Her advice? “Just remember to give yourself grace and be patient with yourself,” Rosado assures. “There is no timeline on soul searching and working at your own pace can help you move forward with ease.”
Rosado’s other tips for overcoming soul searching challenges are:
Practice self-compassion
Connect with like-minded individuals for support
Set realistic expectations
Prioritize self-care
Embrace vulnerability
“By incorporating these strategies, individuals can navigate the soul searching process with greater resilience, self-awareness, and personal growth,” Rosado says.
Related: 5 Self-Compassion Exercises to Practice Daily
Integrating Soul Searching into Daily Life
There are several ways to integrate soul-searching into daily life, including meditating regularly, journaling, taking long walks in nature, and entering therapy. But it can also just be something you generally practice in your daily life, says Rosado.
“To integrate soul-searching into your everyday life, think of this process as something more natural and organic, and not something that you need to force into your routine,” she explains. “Practicing mindfulness and pausing to take moments for yourself to think throughout the day can be something that naturally forms into your daily life.”
Making it a practice to be mindful of your values and remembering who you are at your core will naturally lead to personal growth, Rosado says.
Dr. Feldman shared his practical advice for how to get started with a daily soul searching practice:
Engage in brief, daily meditation practices which focus on cultivating mindfulness and breath awareness
Spend some time each day writing about how your day went, what you felt, and why you think you felt that way; over time, you can start to look at what patterns emerge
Related: Meditation Facts: Why You Don't Have to Clear Your Mind
The Bottom Line
Soul searching is a fantastic way to get in touch with your true self and to understand what your purpose in life is. While soul searching is often something we focus on during times of transition, growth, aging, or other rites of passage, it’s something we can engage with to some extent on a daily basis.
Having an attitude of discovery and introspection is a positive, healthy thing and can motivate you to work on yourself and be the best version of yourself possible.
Read Next: How Long Should You Meditate?
Read the original article on Verywell Mind.
