find oneself

1. Become aware of what one wishes and can best do in life. For example, At last he's found himself—he really loves teaching . The same idea was sometimes put as to find one's feet , transferring a baby's new ability to stand or walk to a person becoming conscious of his or her abilities. [Late 1800s]

2. Discover where one is; also, how one is feeling. For example, He suddenly found himself on the right street , or To my surprise I find myself agreeing with you . [Mid-1400s]

Example Sentences

In early episodes, Claire’s struggles to accept and control her situation allowed viewers to imagine what it might actually feel like to find oneself 200 years in the past.

From Los Angeles Times

“The important thing is to make art under the circumstances one finds oneself in,” the director says.

From Los Angeles Times

PhinneyWood Pride Rainbow Hop: Put on your finest Pride outfits and celebrate finding oneself at this gay, family friendly, multigenerational event.

From Seattle Times

To find oneself in just the right place at just the right time may be awe-inducing all by itself.

From Los Angeles Times

The aphorism seems appropriate here, because few places are better suited to finding oneself than between the pages of a book.

From Seattle Times