Stay Close to Yourself

Learning how to work with ourselves when we don't feel amazing is an art form in and of itself.

I am writing this piece naming that so many have been navigating some very challenging terrain in their lives on a personal level coupled with a heightened sensitivity to the intense energy of the world that we are living in.

Here is a reminder to stay close to ourselves in whatever inner landscape of life we may be currently experiencing....

For many of us, we habitually self-abandon when we are feeling off, down, discouraged, overwhelmed, or anxious…Whatever experience of being a human that perhaps doesn't feel awesome.

We may quickly go to the place that there is something wrong with us or that we have regressed on our path or are doing something wrong. We could even go to the place where we are recapitulating a story that we have fallen backwards yet again and that we will never move forward in our lives. 

Whatever it is, the emotion, feeling, story, pattern that shows up for you when you are not feeling amazing, is something very important to work with along the healing path.

I think of my own journey through recovery many years ago…when I was still in the clutches of some very debilitating patterns in myself that were always exacerbated when I was struggling.

I found myself in a loop of dysfunction. I was in cycles of not feeling great, then doing whatever it was that added layers to not feeling great and then would berate myself for doing so. Keeping the pattern alive. Self-sabotage leading the way.

A tremendous turning point for me was when I was able to just BE with the discomfort and feelings of pain, angst, overwhelm, etc. without turning on myself or abandoning myself or berating myself.

I learned, through a grueling process of diligence and commitment, to hold myself close when I was in these states...pouring on the self-love and compassion. From that place the possibility for shifting was magnified.

I began healing from a very deep place within me that was wise and profoundly empathetic to my life experiences.

The reality is that if we can hold space for ourselves when we are in those spaces of not feeling empowered then the energy has the opportunity to shift. We do not self-abandon.

Rather, we choose to stay close to our inner landscape... holding ourselves with reverence as we move through stickier terrain.

We cultivate the practice of acceptance for ourselves, who we are, and where we are on our life's path. From that place we can meet ourselves in ways that allow us to change, grow, and heal on deep and sustainable levels.

Berating ourselves, abandoning ourselves, and/or shaming ourselves when we are already feeling off, only causes more harm. It just fans the flames of disconnect and adds fuel to the fire of dysfunction.

If we can truly feed and nourish ourselves well on every level through our words and actions, we have the opportunity to propel ourselves to the next level of existence and heal on levels that can only be felt, not named.

Through the simplicity of hydration, eating well, and giving ourselves deeper rest...through focusing on full breathing and moving our bodies in a way that feels nourishing rather than punishing...through working with our minds and shifting how we are speaking to ourselves and about ourselves…palpable shifts are possible on a cellular level.

Wherever this finds you – in the density of your own life and the patterns and stories that you are working with – please know that there IS a different way. There is a way through the fog to get to the other side. You CAN heal your life.

I am always out here for support, connection, and guidance. I would be honored to support you in any way that you need!

Reach out anytime and let’s connect.