Originating in Ancient Greece, the well-known expression “know thyself” continues to reverberate a very significant message even to this day. But what exactly does it mean to truly know thyself, how might you go about getting to know this elusive self of yours and more importantly, what does any of it have to do with dating?

Since the majority of these questions are far too subjective to be answered in any definitive manner, all I can offer are possible responses based on my personal opinions.

To achieve a genuine understanding of the self is no easy task. Though it might sound simple enough, there is so much more to self-knowledge than recalling your own name, recognizing your own reflection in a mirror or being aware of your personal likes and dislikes. Those external, superficial types of things barely begin to scratch the surface of what makes you the person that you are. A certain level of introspection is typically necessary in order to find out more about what it is that makes you tick.

What it means to truly know thyself is largely a matter of perspective. Though there are a great number of fascinating philosophical and existential theories that have attempted to define self-knowledge, for the sole purpose of this article, the concept of knowing thyself will be examined only as it applies to enhancing personal growth and paving the way for healthy relationships.

Self-knowledge tends to go hand in hand with self-love. To truly know thyself, you must first learn to love yourself just as you are. Only then can you begin to develop an accurate understanding of where it is that your true passions lie and of the types of external relationships that would best support those passions.

Take the time to do some honest and objective soul searching. Pay close attention to how the person you are today has been shaped by past events, experiences or relationships. Look for evidence of any specific patterns or for any other clues that might help you to learn something new and perhaps even unexpected about yourself. Consider your hopes and dreams for the future. What do they entail? Why do you think you might prefer these particular hopes and dreams to possible alternatives?

In order to master the art of dating, it is imperative that you first know and love yourself so that you may share your inner beauty with others in a healthy and positive manner. When you develop a loving relationship with yourself first, you are more inclined to make better decisions when it comes to the relationships that you forge with others. Rather than rely on someone else to make you feel complete, you begin to realize that you are the complete package and that all external relationships serve to complement the whole that you already are. Coming to this realization is very conducive to the dating experience because it gives you the confidence and freedom you need to be more selective about choosing your dating partners.