inner-directed
Guided by conscience
Inner-directed describes someone guided by their own values, goals, and standards rather than by external social pressures or others' expectations.
The term comes from sociology, contrasting with outer-directed or other-directed people who take their cues from peers and social norms.
An inner-directed person trusts their own judgment: She remained inner-directed despite criticism from colleagues.
Able to provide independently
- self-sufficientAble to provide independently
- self-governingControlling one's own affairs
- self-determiningControlling one's own fate
- independentFree from external control
self-regulated · self-guided · self-managed · self-controlled · nonconformist · individualistic · free-thinking · self-possessed
Internally driven to act
- self-startingInitiating action independently
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- ambitiousStrongly desiring achievement
- purposefulDone with intention
goal-oriented · proactive · determined · resolute · tenacious · persistent · enterprising · aspiring
Inclined to deep thought
- self-awareConscious of own existence
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
- mindfulConsciously attentive
introspective · self-questioning · thoughtful · philosophical · self-knowing · reflective · pensive · self-conscious
Conforming to moral principles
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
- scrupulousThorough and principled
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
- uprightVertical or morally sound
principled · trustworthy · consistent · authentic · genuine · honest · character-driven · honorable
self-reliant
Able to provide independently
- self-sufficientAble to provide independently
- self-governingControlling one's own affairs
- self-determiningControlling one's own fate
independent · self-regulated · self-guided · self-managed · self-controlled · nonconformist · individualistic · free-thinking · self-possessed · self-steering
self-motivated
Internally driven to act
- self-startingInitiating action independently
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- ambitiousStrongly desiring achievement
purposeful · goal-oriented · proactive · determined · resolute · tenacious · persistent · enterprising · aspiring · focused
contemplative
Inclined to deep thought
- self-awareConscious of own existence
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
mindful · introspective · self-questioning · thoughtful · philosophical · self-knowing · reflective · pensive · self-conscious
ethical
Conforming to moral principles
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
- scrupulousThorough and principled
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
upright · principled · trustworthy · consistent · authentic · genuine · honest · character-driven · honorable · incorruptible
inner-directedconformist
One following accepted norms
conventional · sheep-like · impressionable · suggestible · follower
inner, direct, inward, inwardly, inwards, inmost, innermost, directed, direction