The journey of self discovery is one of the major puzzles facing individuals in current time. We have referenced how individualistic the World has gotten so on one hand the nature of society should shock no one. Yet on the other hand we appear far more confused than at any point in history.
I could talk about how I don't think the steep decline of Christianity is any good for Western societies, and how religion as a whole has a significant role in giving meaning to life for many. But nobody wants to hear that. So instead I will focus on others who try to give alternate answers to the process defining self discovery.
We all go through it. There are some of us who seem more purposeful about their existence than others but generally we experience the same level of pain and discomfort almost in equal measure, though in varying natures. My own pain is mostly financial and spiritual than anything else if I were to access myself honestly.
I have sometimes imagined myself as an 'ideal' self that seems more like a fantasy than anything else. So much so that even though I've made progress through the years as I understand myself better, there is the stark realization that I likely will never actualize that so called ideal. I am actually very okay with that.
The beauty of life has always been in the day to day efforts, not the big moments. I have learned to better appreciate those chit chats with my siblings and my significant other even when they 'annoy' or 'bore' me. I have also learned to not so much fixate on the end result to the extent that it paralyzes. The destination of course matters, but when it is a long journey the process becomes the adventure itself.