You know that moment in The Fellowship of the Ring when Gandalf is in the Mines of Moria, standing there with no recollection of the place? He's lost, surrounded by darkness, with no idea where to go.

Sometimes life, and your own mind, can feel like that. When you're out of alignment, ignoring or betraying your core values, it can lead to anxiety, guilt, and a sense of being lost. But identifying and staying true to your core values can help guide you out of life’s mines and into the light.

In this episode of Get It Together, Weirdo, host and coach Sarah Bowser dives into why core values are so important, how you can uncover yours, and how to use them to navigate societal expectations. Sarah shares her own story of abandoning her values to fit in with a group before realizing that the key to belonging, cutting through mental chaos, and finding her way in the world was to identify and live in alignment with her core values.

Want to stay in the loop on new episodes, posts, and other tidbits that Sarah shares? Go to thatweirdnerdymom.com to hop on her email list, or join her for weekly coworking on Mondays.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Core values are the deeply held principles that guide your decisions, shape your actions, and define what truly matters to you.
• You can uncover your core values by reflecting on past experiences and aligning your actions and decisions with them.
• When you're aligned with your core values, your decisions become clearer, your relationships become more authentic, and your sense of self is much more grounded.
• When societal expectations clash with your values, take a step back and remind yourself of what's truly important.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode:
“Your core values are your ultimate compass when you're feeling lost.”

“Your core values aren't set in stone; they can evolve as you grow and change.”

“Living in alignment with your core values also means making difficult decisions, sometimes saying no to opportunities or relationships that don't align with your values.”

“Ask yourself, what's most important to me in life? What do I want to stand for? What do I want to leave behind?”

“Think about moments when you felt truly happy, fulfilled, or proud of yourself... What values were you honoring? Then look for patterns and themes.”

Join the Get It Together, Weirdo community

• Visit Sarah’s website: thatweirdnerdymom.com
• Sign up for Sarah's email list: https://thatweirdnerdymom.kit.com/newsletter
• Join Sarah for free, get-shit-done coworking: thatweirdnerdymom.com/get-shit-done-coworking
• Follow Sarah on Instagram: @that_weirdnerdymom
• Check out Sarah’s “From Mental Chaos to Calm” coaching program: thatweirdnerdymom.com/mentalchaos/
• Learn about Sarah’s “Get Your Shit Organized” VIP day: thatweirdnerdymom.com/getyourshitorganized/