What Are Your Core Values and Why Do They Matter?

If someone asked you this question, would you know the answer?

When I talk about values, I don’t mean the ones we think we should have, but the ones that truly shape who we are. The ones that guide our decisions, influence our feelings, and determine how we show up in the world.

Many of us may not have a clear answer, because we have rarely been asked, taught, or encouraged to explore what really matters to us. Instead, as we grow up, we often inherit values from family, culture, or society - without ever questioning if they fit who we really are or who we want to become.

However, knowing your core values does matter. They act like an internal compass for you. Without them, life can lose direction or feel off.

Your values help you:

• Make choices that feel true to you

• Set boundaries that protect your energy and peace

• Understand why certain things trigger you deeply

• Recognise what drives your passion

• Clarify what matters most to you

If this is something you have never really explored, or would like to revisit, why not take a moment today to reflect.

Read through the list below and ask yourself:

Do any of these speak to me? What else is coming up as I read them? What values have shaped my life, even if I haven’t named them until now?

Examples of Core Values:

• Integrity

• Honesty

• Resilience

• Compassion

• Consistency

• Courage

• Freedom

• Creativity

• Authenticity

• Growth

• Connection

• Balance

• Respect

• Adventure

• Service

• Curiosity

It’s taken me time to really live and breathe by mine. It’s not always easy to embed them consistently into your life. Yet once you know your core values, especially your top 3 or 4, they become the foundation for living a life that truly feels more aligned, more honest, and more you.