Connecting with yourself
Photo Credit: Carolyn Lowe (me)
With all the external noise in your busy life, it can be challenging to connect with yourself. Coming “home” to yourself means reconnecting with your inner self, your values, and your purpose.
Here are 6 tips to come home to yourself to connect at a deeper level:
Create the time and space for self-reflection. This means setting aside time to be alone with your thoughts, without distractions. You can do this through meditation, journaling, or simply taking a walk in nature and being present in your surroundings. Use this time to reflect on your values, your goals, and what truly matters to you¹. Reflect on what matters to you, not what others expect of you.
Practice self-care. Taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being is essential to come home to yourself. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and doing activities that bring you joy, peace, and relaxation².
Be in an open and receptive state. If you’re constantly exhausted and/or burnout, it can be challenging to truly connect to what matters to you because you may be just trying to get through the day and going through patterns of ‘fight or flight’. When you’re in a state where you’re able to see, feel, and hear your own thoughts, then you can be more receptive and open to connecting to your higher purpose.
Connect with others who share similar values. Surrounding yourself with people who support and inspire you can help you stay connected to your true self. Seek out like-minded individuals who share similar values through social groups, networking opportunities, or volunteering opportunities³.
Set boundaries. Learn to say “no” to things that don’t align with your values or goals. This means setting boundaries with others and prioritizing your own needs and well-being⁴. This takes practice, so remind yourself that you are getting better and better every single day.
Practice gratitude. Focusing on the things you are grateful for can help you stay connected to your inner self and your purpose. Take time to set yourself up for success each morning to reflect on what you are thankful for, whether it’s a person, a place, or a simple joy in your life⁵. Gratitude can also help give you perspective when your inner critic takes over, so remind yourself of all the good that is in your life.
These steps can help you reconnect with your inner self, values, and purpose to live a more fulfilling and authentic life.
Sources:
Psychology Today. “10 Ways to Reconnect With Your Inner Self.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201703/10-ways-reconnect-your-inner-self.
HelpGuide.org. “Self-Care Toolkit.” https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/self-care-toolkit.htm.
Forbes. “How to Connect With People Who Share Your Values.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2020/02/18/how-to-connect-with-people-who-share-your-values/?sh=2d8d8c8e4b8e.
Mindful. “How to Set Boundaries to Improve Your Life.” https://www.mindful.org/how-to-set-boundaries-to-improve-your-life/.
Greater Good Magazine. “The Science of Gratitude.” https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/gratitude/definition.
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