know yourself
Sometimes I feel calm and centered. I have clarity about what I’m doing, I feel mostly harmonious with the people and situations in my life, and if something happens to throw me off, I can get to the center of it and find resolution within myself. It’s easier to be open-hearted and compassionate with people when I feel centered and clear. And if I need to make a tough decision, the answer comes from a place other than my thinking mind. There’s just a knowing. In these moments, if you asked me about my life’s mission or why I’m here, an answer would come without hesitation.
But at other times, I don’t have that clarity. Instead, I have a lot of conflicting feelings about things. I doubt and criticize myself. I think of all of the reasons why I can’t do what I want to do. It’s harder to make decisions. It’s easier to see the flaws and shortcomings in the people around me. In those moments, I crave more emotional stability. And because I’m not finding it inside, I look for it on the outside. I may spend more time on social media chasing dopamine hits. I may feel needy toward my partner and insist that he validate me. I may eat or drink things that feel good in the moment but aren’t good for my health. If you asked me why I’m here in those moments, I’m likely to get teary and doubtful, or agitated, or detached.
Maybe you see where I’m going with this.
There’s a state in which you feel certain and calm about who you are. Even when you’re facing difficult life stuff, or when you’re in the midst of change. Those moments when you’re feeling centered are precious. And the good news is that with some focused attention on your inner landscape, you can have more of them. In fact, I believe that you can actually reside there much of the time…you may have to work at it, but it’s entirely possible.
When you’re in that centered place, you are most yourself. You are in an optimal state to interact with other people, to make decisions, and to focus your energy on things that matter to you. It just feels better to be in that place.
To know yourself is to recognize that state of alignment.
In that calm place of knowing, you are like the sun. Always there, always strong, always warm. And the malaise, the internal banter, the anxiety and inner conflict…they are clouds. They may obscure the sun, but they eventually pass. They are not lasting.
There is no shame in any state. It’s human to contain so much complexity.
However, when you can become aware of how you feel in any moment, you will start to have more compassion for yourself when you’re away from your center. And you can develop a better understanding of why those negative voices are talking in your head in the first place.
I’m here to help people recognize their alignment and learn how to be in that seat of self more often.
Because when you are the sun, you’ll feel clear on where you are, what you need, and what changes you need to make, if any. In that centered place, you can make decisions from a calm, congruent place…not from a place of reactivity or distraction or the need to numb.
It feels good to know yourself. It feels good to feel like yourself. It feels good to be yourself in the world and to show others who you really are.
And when you’ve been away, it feels good to come home to yourself.
I currently have several open spots for 1:1 integrative change work. Curious? Use this link to schedule a free connection call with me. And for more juicy life stuff, tune into my podcast, coming home (to yourself). As always, may your week be filled with self-love and rich insights. With love, Amy ♡♡♡