Discovering my core values

Values are the deeply held beliefs and principles that guide our attitudes, decisions, and behaviors. They represent what we consider important in life—shaping how we view the world, relate to others, and define what is meaningful or worthwhile.

They are culturally influenced, personally prioritized, and context-dependent. However, they form the basis for many individual belief systems and decision.

Before we begin our exercise to discover our core values, let’s familiarise ourselves with a a few of them.

• Honesty – Being truthful and transparent.

• Kindness – Treating others with compassion and care.

• Growth – Seeking personal development and learning.

• Freedom – Valuing independence and choice.

• Respect – Honoring boundaries, self, and others.

• Responsibility – Being accountable for actions.

• Love – Prioritizing connection and relationships.

• Justice – Advocating for fairness and equity.

• Courage – Taking action despite fear.

• Gratitude – Appreciating what one has.

• Balance – Maintaining harmony across life areas.

• Integrity – Acting in alignment with your principles.

Identifying My Values

Now that we know what these values mean, let’s take a moment to choose the ones that are important to us. Take your time, and reflect on what is important to you, and what guides your behaviour in most situations. Here are a few questions to help you reflect on what is important to you.

1. Who are the person(s) I admire? What do I admire about them? What values do they embody?

2. What qualities do I look for in the people I trust most? What does that reveal about my values?

3. What behaviours from others deeply bother me—and what value of mine is being challenged in those moments?

4. Where do I feel most free to be myself? What values are being supported in that space?

5. What moments in life have made me feel truly proud of myself? What values were reflected in those moments?

6. When have I felt deeply disappointed or conflicted? Was a personal value compromised?

7. What goals do I keep returning to? What values do they reflect?

8. Think of a decision I made that felt right, even if it was hard—what value did I honor?

You can choose as many or as few as you want. Try to go with your gut instinct. Take your time, there is no rush. Choose what feels true to you.

☐ Honesty                  ☐ Justice 

☐ Freedom                  ☐ Gratitude

☐ Responsibility           ☐ Courage

☐ Respect                  ☐ Balance 

☐ Kindness                 ☐ Empathy

☐ Growth                  ☐ Creativity 

☐ Love                      ☐ Loyalty 

☐ Integrity                ☐ Self-Awareness

Finding my core values

Now that you have picked the values that most resonate with you, try to narrow it down to 3-5 core values. You can use the questions below to help you reflect on what your core values might be.

Which of these values do I currently live by most consistently? Why?

 ______________________________________________________

Which value feels most neglected or hard to live out right now?

 ______________________________________________________

How can I honor this value more intentionally in daily life?

 ______________________________________________________

Writing my values statement

Now that you have identified your core values, let's develop a personal values statement. A personal values statement is a short declaration that identifies your core values and your commitment to live by them. They serve as a reminder of what truly matters to you, and can help you stay aligned to the values you have identified as most important. We have provided a short statement that you can use, but feel free to write one that feels more like you!

"I value [Value 1], [Value 2], and [Value 3], because they help me live with purpose, align with who I am, and guide me when life feels unclear."

We hope that this statement helps you stay true to what is most important to you. May what most resonates with you guide you in situations that may involve difficult choices and hard decisions.