Our lives are full of obligations, and therefore it’s important that we take the time to connect with ourselves. So many of us go through life disconnected from our inner-self, looking for something else (or someone else) to complete us. When we draw our awareness deeper inwards, we begin to feel supported, guided, and at peace. Like any relationship, the one we have with ourselves requires time and commitment to building.
We need to be grounded in who we are before we can have healthy relationships with others. When we connect to ourselves we’re also able to create lives that are meaningful and fulfilling.
“Connecting with yourself and knowing yourself is a monumental and life changing event. Loneliness and desperation are only possible when we have lost touch with our beauty within. Once you connect with yourself, it is impossible to be lonely or desperate.”
— Bryant McGill
For a big part of my life, I struggled with a rather poor relationship with myself. I had a negative inner dialogue that was critical, judgmental and means. I was always made feel like I was never good enough and no matter what I did, it was never enough. I was often completely disconnected from myself, and instead caught up in endless patterns of external striving and seeking. I punished and controlled my body. But over recent years so much of this has changed. I have finally learnt to accept, appreciate and love myself – unconditionally. I have been on a journey to self-discovery, I have been working on my self-limiting beliefs – and realised that 90% of the beliefs I had about myself was not even my own thoughts! They were thoughts that were inflicted by others. While doing my coaching qualification a few years ago I coached myself – and it was life-changing.
Below I share 5 ways I connect with myself to stay grounded:
Check-in with yourself regularly.
How often do you check in with yourself? Start by asking yourself a simple question: How do I feel right now? Then note your response. Tune into your body and notice what it’s telling you. Pay attention to that fluttering in your chest or belly.
Feel all the feelings.
Let yourself feel all the feelings. Have the courage to sit with difficult or uncomfortable emotions and fears. Be compassionate with yourself and tune into your breath to keep yourself grounded.
Create a morning ritual.
Make time each morning before you begin your day to sit and tune into yourself. Even if all you can find in five minutes, make it a regular practice to check in with yourself each morning and spend time doing something that nourishes your soul.
You might want to set an intention for the day, spend time in meditation, break out your journal, or repeat positive affirmations. Whatever works for you and however much time you have, make it a daily practice to deepen your connection to yourself.
Become aware of your thoughts.
The things we focus on are the things that become our reality, so start becoming aware of your thoughts. Notice where fear or self-criticism arise for you.
Do more of what makes you happy.
What really makes your heart sing? What lights you up? Maybe it’s painting or getting creative. Perhaps you love to prepare a nourishing meal for yourself and your family or to get outside into nature. Whatever you love to do, do it more often. Where can you make room in your schedule for these activities? What can you drop from your to-do list to allow yourself to tune into your internal joy?
