In our last blog we talked about step 4 and the role of self-discovery in moving forward. Getting to know yourself is often easier said than done though. If you find yourself wondering where in the world you should start, you are not alone.
Luckily there are many approaches to take in getting back in touch with yourself. Here are 5 ways that will jump-start you getting to know the real you...
(1) Remember The Good Times
When were you happiest in your life? You may have to go back in time a bit, but that’s okay. By looking back on the times that you felt joy and peace, you can get in touch with the things that matter most to you.
Whether it be singing, dancing, painting, reading, martial arts, making people laugh, or making balloon animals; it doesn’t matter. This is all about you understanding what makes you happy. When we harness our passions we create a whole new life of unending possibility, and you deserve that as much as anybody
(2) Pay Attention
Take a seat by the window the next time you’re at the coffee shop so you can watch the people coming and going. The longer you watch the more you’ll see that most everyone is running on autopilot. We’re living robots running about the daily routines that have been ingrained in us.
Don’t do things just to do them. If you are going to do something, then do it for a reason. By being aware and having intention we give even the littlest of tasks a purpose. This makes ALL the difference when you want to live a life of meaning and fulfillment.
Now that you’re paying attention, ask yourself what things capture your interest. What are you seeing or hearing that gets you excited? If you’re finding yourself curious or in awe, then do something about it.
Whether it’s learning, playing, or getting yourself involved, you should be out there doing healthy things that add quality to your life. By taking a dance class or trying out your funny bone at an amateur comedy night, you could be unlocking a whole new you. So why not have some fun?!
(3) Listen To Your Emotions
It’s paramount that we listen to how we’re feeling. Many of us are raised to believe that certain feelings need to be ignored and pushed down, but that absolutely IS NOT the case.
Our feelings are actually a form of communication. If we’re feeling angry or sad, our body is letting us know there’s something wrong.
Don’t ignore your emotions. Instead, take note of how you’re feeling and ask yourself why you feel that way. By acknowledging our emotions we can analyze their purpose. From there we’ll be able to understand steps that can be taken to improve the situation (why those emotions came up in the first place).
(4) Journal
We’d all love to find someone that will listen to us blab until we’re out of breath, but not everyone has the time or the interest. You can make sure you get to vent and reflect as much as you need though. Get a journal!
Yeah, the “Dear Diary” gets a hard time, but journaling isn’t like that. A journal is a place for you to speak your mind without any fear or judgement. I often find that writing actually gets me to discover things about myself that I hadn’t been aware of before.
Those kinds of revelations are priceless. You need to be able to analyze your life and give yourself advice. Until you can look at yourself and see a reason to change and grow, the advice of others will only ever fall on deaf ears.
(5) Listen To Your Body
Our body is constantly telling us things. Whether it’s saying that it loves the “vibes” of Yanni or it’s saying it can’t handle all the gluten and protein of 3 McRibs; our body is talking.
Maybe it’s a headache, feeling exhausted, tensing up, or an anxiety attack. Whatever it is, listen to what your body is saying so you can do something about it.
And don’t forget to note when you’re feeling carefree and joyful. Everyone should fit those feelings into their day as much as possible, and whenever possible. If we have one life to live we might as well make the most of it right?
I hope you find these steps helpful. We have plenty of other tips and tricks that will help you on the road to recovery, so please don’t hesitate to talk with us. We’re here to help wherever we can.
~Paul
Recent Comments