Discovering Your True Self with Dr. Sara Kuburic
All the little choices we make play a significant role in shaping who we are. Dr. Sara Kuburic dives into the essence of our identities.
Ever sat down with a friend over coffee or dinner and been asked, "How are you?" We often respond with a quick, "I’m fine!" But what if that’s far from the truth? What if just getting out of bed feels like a monumental task? Dr. Kuburic points out that many dealing with depression find it hard to admit this, even to themselves.
In her book, “It’s On Me: Accept Hard Truths, Discover Yourself, and Change Your Life”, she reflects on a moment when she looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize the person staring back. “It was shocking to realize that I was living a life that felt foreign to me,” she shares. “Constructing an inauthentic self can happen almost by accident, and the damage can be profound.”
Known as “the millennial therapist” on Instagram, Dr. Kuburic shares daily insights with her over 1 million followers. She believes that for younger generations, the abundance of choices can lead to a disconnection from our true selves. “We have endless options for where to live and what to pursue,” she explains.
“While that should bring joy, it often leads to anxiety,” she notes. “Feeling unhappy can be terrifying, especially when there’s no external pressure to follow a specific path.” She attributes some of this stress to the unrealistic standards set by social media, where we often focus on curating our lives instead of genuinely experiencing them. “In trying to present a perfect life, we lose sight of what truly matters,” she states.
LISTEN: How Your Generation Affects Your Financial Decisions
If you’re feeling lost about your identity or the life you want, Dr. Kuburic advises examining the small choices you make daily and being open to mistakes. She emphasizes that there's no such thing as a “neutral self,” and our decisions continuously influence who we are.
“Every choice, whether it’s about saving money, spending, embracing minimalism, or buying a home, contributes to your evolving self. Each decision can lead to either an authentic or inauthentic representation of who you are,” she explains. “Mistakes aren’t just setbacks; they can be stepping stones towards the self you aspire to become.”
In our Mailbag section, we address a listener seeking a Certified Financial Planner and a retired widow contemplating the right time to start collecting Social Security for optimal tax benefits. For our financial tip of the week, we provide insights on how to manage the rising costs of vehicle ownership.