UNIQUE. ORIGINAL. ONE-OF-A-KIND.

There never has been, and never will be, anyone just like you.

Maybe you already believe you're distinct - and you're proud of it! But if you're like most people, chances are you've got some questions, frustrations, and fears about who you are and who you're becoming.

Figuring out who you are and what makes you distinct can be complicated and confusing. Depending on the day, time, situation, or people you're with, the things that make you distinct from other people could make you feel . . .

confident and insecure.

proud and awkward.

full of purpose and full of fear.

Sometimes the things that make you distinct make you feel weird or out of place. And sometimes you're not really sure yet what's so "distinct" about you at all.

If you can relate . . .

1. KEEP READING.

2. BRING A FRIEND. Or a mentor, small group, relative, pet hamster - whoever you want. But you probably want to have at least one other (human) friend handy to talk with as you go through these questions.

3. GET READY TO FINALLY FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE! Just kidding. That's not going to happen by the time you finish this book - that's going to take the rest of your life. But this little book will at least give you a few helpful ideas to hang onto in the years to come.

Ready?

WHAT MAKES YOU DISTINCT?

Your identity has to do with a lot of things, like . . .
 
Your personality.
Your skills and abilities.
Your passions and interests.

Your values.
Your roles in your relationships.
Your goals for your future.
Your faith.

You might think you have some of these things figured out already, but there are probably a lot of other things you feel uncertain about. And that's okay!
 
Figuring out who we are is a life-long process, but it's an especially big deal when you're a young person. These are the years when you really begin to figure things out.

So why bother figuring out who we are?

Well, for one thing, it makes life a lot easier when you have a clear understanding of who you are (and who you aren't). But more importantly, when we learn more about the unique people God created us to be, we're better able to discover the unique purposes and plans God has for us.

SO WHO ARE YOU?
WHAT MAKES YOU SO DISTINCT?
 
Let's see if we can find out! Fill this out on your own, at least at first. But then ask at least one person you trust tell you what they think too. So take a picture of this question or text someone right now. 

It can be tricky to figure out how to accurately describe yourself, so it's okay if you weren't sure exactly what to say.

Sometimes it's easier to figure out who we are by first figuring out who we're not.

WHO ARE YOU NOT? Fill this out on your own, but then ask at least one person you trust to tell you what they think about what you've written.

So take a picture of this question or text someone right now. It can even be the same person.