How to Find Your Core Values — and Actually Start Living with Clarity

Do you know what your core values are?

Most people don’t think about them day to day… but they can actually be a powerful compass — helping you find direction, build deeper connections, and create a more fulfilling life.

Because when you’re not sure what your values are, it’s easy to feel a little lost, disconnected, or unsure of yourself. And over time, that feeling doesn’t just disappear — it can build into stress, anxiety, or even burnout. When your life doesn’t reflect what really matters to you, something will always feel off.

Core values aren’t just the next trendy self-help words. They’re the deep-down beliefs that shape your choices, influence how you show up, and define what a meaningful life actually looks like for you.

So if you’ve been craving more clarity and less chaos, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about how to uncover your core values — and actually start living by them.

How to Find Your Core Values — and Actually Start Living with Clarity

What Are Core Values?

Core values are the things that matter most to you — the stuff that just feels right deep down, like a gut feeling you just can’t ignore. They’re your non-negotiable beliefs that guide how you act, how you treat yourself and others, and the way you make decisions. These are the things you stand up for, not because someone told you to, but because they truly mean something to you.

They’re not about who you’re supposed to be, or even who you want to be (like picking out your summer outfits based on Pinterest — sorry, not that kind of post today! Though I do love a cute outfit, haha). Core values are actually about who you really are underneath all the pressure, the comparisons, and the outside expectations — things like honesty, responsibility, discipline, or authenticity.

I’ve included a list of core values below, or you can download this pdf to have on hand…

CORE VALUE LIST – PDF (over 200 of them!)

List of core values examples: 200 of them!

And here’s something really important:

GOALS are what you want to achieve (like buying a house, getting fit, or finally becoming “that girl” who drinks green juice at 6am — you know the one! I love it too!)

VALUES are how you want to live while moving through life.

Why Core Values Matter (More Than You Think)

Here’s what happens when you’re clear on your core values:

• You feel grounded — even when life gets messy.
• You make decisions faster (yes, goodbye analysis paralysis… lol).
• Your goals start to feel more on track and aligned. And you know what you’re working towards.
• You attract relationships that respect your boundaries.
• You trust yourself more.
• You begin to feel at peace because you’re making decisions based on your values.

Here’s an example:
Let’s say you get offered a high-paying job at a big, well-known company. On paper, it’s perfect — great salary, cool title, fancy benefits.

But once you start, it just feels… off.
The vibe is super competitive, you’re working 60+ hours a week, and you barely see your family or get time for yourself. You’re tired, cranky, and totally unmotivated — even though people keep telling you, “Wow, you’re so lucky!”

If your core values are things like freedom, family, and well-being, but your job only values prestige and productivity, you’re gonna feel that disconnect hard. And that misalignment? It can lead to burnout, resentment, even anxiety — not because the job is bad, but because it’s not right for you.

Now flip the script:
You take a job that pays a little less, but you get flexible hours, a supportive team, and time to actually take care of yourself and do things you love. Suddenly, you feel good. Energized. Like yourself again.

How Many Core Values Should You Have on Your List?

Aim for around 5 to 7. Not 27. Not 52. Just a handful of the real ones that matter most to you. Because let’s be honest — if everything is a core value, then nothing really is. Keeping it short helps you actually live by them… not just stare at a long list feeling overwhelmed (and maybe a little judged by it).

How to Choose Your Core Values

You don’t need to take a quiz or read a bunch of self-help books to figure out your core values. Honestly? The answers are already in you. (Cheesy but true.)

I actually believe some of your values choose you.

Start by skimming the list of core values. You’ll probably feel naturally drawn to certain ones more than others. You might notice a few that instantly stand out — the ones that make you go, “Yep, that’s me.” And as you read through them, don’t be surprised if a few memories pop up:

• That moment you finally stood up for yourself. → courage
• That time you owned up to a tough mistake (even when it sucked). → integrity
• Times you felt proud as hell—or totally crushed. → authenticity / vulnerability

Those moments stand out for a reason. Usually, it’s because one of your core values was either deeply respected… or completely ignored.
Those are your clues. Pay attention to them. And keep following them.

If scrolling through a list of core values isn’t quite doing it for you, try these questions instead. They’ll help you think about the moments when your core values really showed up in your life.

You can jot down your answers or just sit with them — but don’t overthink it. Trust your gut and keep it real.

Journal or Reflect on These Questions…

1. When was I most proud of myself — and why?

2. When did I feel deeply uncomfortable or out of alignment?

3. What made that moment feel so right (or so wrong)?

4. What’s a decision I made that felt 100% right — even if others didn’t get it?

5. What have I always stood up for — even when it was hard?

6. When did I feel most energized and alive?

7. When did I feel small, stuck, or resentful — and what was missing?

Here’s an idea — why not start a Core Values Journal?

It just came to me as I was writing this (love when that happens!).

At the end of each day, reflect on which core values showed up in your actions, decisions, or interactions.

Ask yourself:

It’s a super simple habit, but honestly? Kind of growth-worthy.
It helps you stay connected to who you are — even on the messiest, most “what is my life” kind of days.

And over time, you’ll start to see patterns. You’ll notice your strengths. And maybe even spot the areas where you’ve been quietly compromising what matters most.

That kind of clarity? It’s both invaluable and life-changing.

Not sure what you’re feeling? Same sometimes. Here are 336 journaling prompts for Self-Reflection to help you figure it out.

Define What Each Core Value Means to YOU

This is where most people get stuck — they pick their values… but don’t actually define what those values mean to them.

Here’s what to do:
Take your top 5 values and write one sentence for each that explains what it means in your life.

Take the word “freedom,” for example:

• To one person, it might mean the ability to work remotely and travel.
• To another, it might mean financial independence.
• To someone else, it could mean not being emotionally controlled by others.

Same word — totally different meanings.

So once you’ve picked your top core values, write down what each one actually means to you.

Keep it real and specific — no need to get fancy here.

And here’s a little bonus: If you’re struggling to connect with your values or just need a reminder to be kind to yourself along the way, check out these 115 Self Love and Compassion Affirmations. They’re perfect for reinforcing those values and giving yourself the encouragement you deserve while you figure it all out. Think of them as a daily reality check and pep talk rolled into one, because living by your values isn't just about showing up — it's about cutting yourself some slack too.

Align Your Life with Your Core Values

It’s one thing to know your core values — but it’s another thing to stay true to your core values.

Here’s how to stay true to your core values in real life:

✦ In your daily habits
If one of your values is well-being, maybe — just maybe — you stop skipping sleep to hustle 24/7 and let yourself rest instead. Radical, I know... lol

✦ In your decisions
Before saying yes (or spiraling into an anxiety of indecision), ask:
“Does this actually line up with what matters to me?”
If not, it’s probably a no. Or at least a not right now.

✦ In your relationships
Notice who feels like sunshine — and who drains your soul. The ones that constantly push you to bend your values? They’re not good for the soul.

When your choices, habits, and connections reflect your core values, life doesn’t magically become perfect…

but it does start to feel a lot more like yours. It feels like finding peace within yourself.

If slow living is one of your values — taking things at your own pace, ditching the hustle culture, and choosing peace over panic — here’s how I keep it real and stay true to that lifestyle every day. ➔ How I Embrace a Slow Living Lifestyle in 6 Simple Steps

Revisit & Adjust Over Time

Here’s the thing: your core values aren’t set in stone. As life shifts, you shift. What mattered most a few years ago might not hit the same now — and that’s totally normal.

Something I’ve learned over time? Your values can evolve. And they should.

Set a little reminder to check in with them every few months, or once a year. Or just revisit them when your gut says, “Hmm… something’s off.”

Ask yourself:
“Is this still true for me?”

Because growth? It’s not only allowed — it’s expected.
And the more honest you are with yourself along the way, the better life starts to feel.

Finding peace within yourself? Yep, it becomes the new baseline.

Living by your core values is about knowing what actually matters to you — and letting that guide your next step. You just have to trust yourself and be honest when those gut feelings show up. Keep choosing what feels true. Check in with yourself now and then. And keep showing up — even when it’s hard.

✨ Bookmark this post and come back to it when you feel off-track. Your core values are your anchor — always waiting to guide you back.