What Actually Matters to Me?
An interactive space to explore your values, personal fulfilment and the things that make life feel recognisably yours.
My personal values
Values are qualities or principles that help guide how we want to live. Unlike goals, they are not something we have to complete or achieve.
For example
Completing a qualification is a goal. Curiosity and learning may be values that continue to matter long afterwards.
Choose your values
Select anything that feels important to you. You can narrow your selection later.
My selected values
Whose expectations am I carrying?
Some expectations come from family, culture, work, society or experiences earlier in life. They may have been useful once but do not all need to guide us forever.
Things I feel I should do
Not every expectation is chosen freely or still suits the person we are today.
Things I genuinely value
Some responsibilities are meaningful because they connect with what matters to us.
Remember
Questioning an expectation does not mean rejecting people or walking away from responsibilities. It means considering whether there is room for your own needs and values too.
Where do my time and energy go?
Our time and energy do not always reflect what matters most. Some responsibilities cannot easily be changed, while others may offer more choice.
My attention map
Use the sliders to estimate how your attention is currently divided. They do not need to total 100% — each is a personal indication of how much space an area takes up.
When saying yes costs me something
Saying yes can come from kindness, obligation, habit, fear of disappointment or a genuine wish to help. Sometimes it also means saying no to something we need.
A personal reflection
Think of a situation where you said yes, or felt unable to say no, even though it was difficult for you.
Try a different response
Select a sentence starter, then edit it to suit your own circumstances.
A values-based decision
When faced with a decision, it can help to consider both what matters to you and what is realistically possible.
What is guiding this decision?
Select the statement that feels most relevant right now.
You are allowed to consider practical realities
A values-based decision is not necessarily the easiest, most exciting or most independent choice. Financial needs, health, caring responsibilities and safety matter too.
My Personal Values Compass
Choose up to four guiding values for your compass. They do not have to be permanent, and you can change them at any time.
Choose my compass points
Choose from your shortlisted values. Leave any direction empty if you wish.
My Values Compass
A personal guide to what matters most to me.
My life does not have to look perfect. There can still be room for what makes it feel like mine.
Keep your reflections
Download your complete written reflections or print your Values Compass as a PDF.
