Embracing Self-connection: Finding Your Way Back to Yourself
Hello Friends,
Have you ever felt like there’s so much going on in your world that it’s hard to tell left from right or up from down?
Let me follow up with this: During these times, how connected do you feel to the decisions you’re making?
If you’re anything like me, the busier we are, the easier it becomes to operate on autopilot. When we’re in that state, we’re not as connected to ourselves, which means we’re also not as connected to the choices we’re making. Being intentional and mindful requires us to slow down, and let’s face it - our culture often discourages slowing down. Moving through the world at this speed increases the likelihood that we’ll buy more, consume more, and keep running circles, maintaining the status quo.
The thought of slowing down amid all of this can seem overwhelming. Yet, the journey back to ourselves doesn’t require grand gestures; it happens in small moments that we can foster even amongst the busyness of life.
A great place to start is by noticing our habits. What are we most likely to do when feeling overwhelmed? Do we tend to scroll or play games on our phones? Do we shop or reach for a tasty treat? How might we be distracting or numbing ourselves from these feelings? We don’t need to judge these habits—they exist as attempts to help us feel safe. By starting with simply noticing them, we have a greater chance of replacing them with something that truly soothes our nervous system.
Reconnecting with ourselves often requires taking a break from being constantly plugged in to everyone and everything else and intentionally making time for ourselves. Here are some small ways we can do that, that can lead to big change:
Connect to your body: Take a slow, deep inhale through your nose, and an even slower exhale through your mouth. Or connect to nature—simply putting your feet in the grass or your face in the sun can help rebalance your nervous system. You might also try stretching, singing, or dancing to your favorite song. By engaging our senses, we ground ourselves in the present moment, making it easier to reconnect with our inner state.
Practice mindfulness: Without judgment, practice noticing your thoughts without trying to control or change them. Many people think that if their mind wanders, they can’t meditate or be mindful, but that’s where we all start. If you tend to be an overthinker, your mind may feel like a toddler who won’t sit still. When you notice your mind wandering, gently guide it back to the present moment without judgment. You might try saying to yourself, “Oh, there it goes again. That’s okay, let’s come back to the present moment with a deep breath.” Mindfulness isn’t about emptying the mind, but about becoming aware of our thoughts and choosing how we want to engage with them.
Choose joy: Pick one small thing that nurtures your spirit or soothes your soul and do it for five minutes. This could be cuddling under a cozy blanket, writing in your journal, or getting creative. Small acts of joy can be powerful reminders that we have the capacity to create positive experiences for ourselves, even in the midst of chaos.
Tune into gratitude: What are three small things you’re grateful for today? These can be simple things like a really great cup of coffee, a cute dog, or even gratitude for creating the space to read this. Focusing on gratitude shifts our perspective, helping us appreciate the good that already exists in our lives.
It's not about never scrolling, or engaging in distractions, but about gradually introducing more of these tools and mindful moments into our daily lives. As we nurture our connection to ourselves, we invite greater peace, healthier relationships, and increased clarity into our decision-making. We foster a life that is more balanced and aligned.
Implementing these tools can feel challenging – similar to starting a new workout regimen. But like any new habit, it gets easier with practice. If you’d like an accountability partner or are interested in going deeper, I’m here for you.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Christina
