Losing yourself can be a formative experience, but it can also be frightening and insidious. Throughout our lives, we will encounter limitless opportunities to lose touch with ourselves, so it is important that we understand when our sense of self might be vulnerable. Being aware of the vulnerabilities in our identity can help us from losing it and can help us regain it in the future.

Do you find yourself wondering if you are making a difference in the world? Are you still trying to figure out what making a difference really means? You are not alone in asking these questions. Most people want to feel like they are leaving a positive impact on the world around them. Learn what making a difference means and how you can make a difference for the things you care about the most.

Contentment is the calm joy we feel when our needs are satisfied and we are in harmony with ourselves and our surroundings. When you’re contented, you might also feel peaceful, safe, competent, and in harmony with yourself. Unlike happiness, contentment doesn’t depend on external events going perfectly right; it rests more on the quality of your relationships with yourself and the world.

Aspiration is your driving desire to become what you believe you can become. It is the feeling that drives you to achieve your goals and dreams and shows you where your priorities in life are. Some aspirations may be smaller, like running a 5K, or larger, like saving money to buy a home. You can use your aspirations as a driving force behind the pursuit of your ultimate goals and dreams.

If you asked a million people, you might get a million different answers about what it means to live life to the fullest. For some, it might involve traveling. For others, it could mean raising a family. What’s common among these definitions is that each one involves finding meaning in what one is doing or how one is spending their time—the life is one that is fulfilling for the individual.

Keeping a consistent gratitude practice can be challenging. It’s all too easy to focus on our worries, fears, and disappointments. In times when we are struggling to find something to appreciate, reflections on gratitude can help provide a richer perspective and reignite our motivation to live gratefully. Here is a collection of quotes on gratitude to refer to whenever you need them.

Journaling serves as a constructive outlet for self-expression and a means to process your thoughts. By writing down your ideas, you can release them from your mind, choosing to either set them aside or revisit them later for reflection. You can use a traditional notebook or an electronic tablet for this practice. Journaling can cover a wide range of topics. Here are some suggestions to explore.

A true calling is not necessarily a choice–it’s innate talent coupled with a passion that drives you to develop that talent throughout your life, even despite pain, risk, and disappointments. It’s possible to have more than one calling or none at all. Although a true calling can lend meaning and purpose to your life, having none can provide more freedom, adaptability, creativity, and comfort.

One of the best feelings in the world is sharing a good belly laugh with the people you care about. Laughter is a universal part of the human experience and it has the power to build a bridge between people of all different backgrounds and walks of life. You don’t even need to speak the same language as another person to share a laugh with them.