Who am I? – The question 1 in 3 Brits cannot answer, new research reveals
new research reveals that Brits have a deep desire for self-discovery. Favourite ways for Brits to “find themselves” include a digital detox, daily manifestations and travelling the world.
The study of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Tourism New Zealand, found most Brits have never been on a ‘journey of self-discovery’.
Almost half (47 per cent) haven’t “completely” come to terms with who the real “them” is yet.
Of those who are or have been on such a pursuit, a whopping 83 per cent say it was a success.
But Blighty might be blighting our ability to look within, as more than a third (34 per cent) say travelling abroad would improve their chances of finding themselves.
Of those, 55 per cent said they’d like to get the opportunity to experience an entirely different culture – expanding their horizons in the process.
Others think ditching alcohol, taking up yoga and meditation, changing career path or starting a TikTok channel would be the best way to find themselves.
Nonetheless, 76 per cent believe it is important to understand yourself – with the aim of building self-confidence the number one reason why (51 per cent).
Discovering your full-potential (45 per cent) and learning from past mistakes (41 per cent) are also incentives for self-discovery, according to OnePoll.com data.
Out of 23 options, New Zealand tops the list as the place Brits feel is best to visit in order to complete a voyage of self-discovery, followed by Australia, Canada and USA.
The study also found that over a third (37 per cent) of everyone polled is keen to live life to the full, with a quarter of Brits (25 per cent) making their way through a bucket list of life goals.
Sarah Handley, General Manager, Americas & Europe, New Zealand Tourism, added: “It’s great to see that people in the UK are interested in self-discovery, with some stepping out of their comfort zones and seeking new adventures, in a bid to improve their overall well-being and self-understanding. New Zealand has so much to offer such as diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, and a rich indigenous culture to immerse yourself in, making it the perfect destination for self-reflection. We welcome anyone embarking on a journey of self-discovery, we hope that New Zealand provides the opportunity to truly find yourself.”
To discover how Tourism New Zealand can help adventurers to ‘find themselves’ (literally), head to https://www.newzealand.com/uk/campaign/ifyouseek/.
TOP THINGS BRITS ARE DOING TO FIND THEMSELVES
Reading more
Travelling the world
Removing negative people from your life
Exploring the great outdoors
Learning about and experiencing a new culture
Being more present (i.e., being fully engaged and attentive to the present moment)
Surrounding yourself with likeminded people
Picking up a new hobby (e.g., knitting/doing puzzles/cooking/pottery)
Changing career paths
Volunteering at a charity
Cleaning/clearing out the home
Spending less time using devices
Learning about different ideologies and religions
Doing yoga and meditation
Writing a journal/book
Escaping the city
Trying out different music – finding new artists
Moving to another country
Exploring your sexuality/ having new sexual experiences
Learning a new language
Daily manifestations
Stop drinking alcohol
Watching movies deemed culturally and artistic important
Setting up a side hustle
Experimenting with fashion
Deleting all social media
Living a zero-waste lifestyle
Petitioning for social justice
Crystals, astrology
Starting a Tik Tok channel
Top ten countries voted most suitable to visit to ‘find yourself’:
New Zealand
Australia
USA
Canada
Italy
Japan
Greece
Spain
Switzerland
Iceland
