In this crazy, hectic world, the only thing we seem to be connected to is the internet. It becomes very easy to feel disconnected from ourselves. We are constantly running from place to place and jumping from task to task, which makes it very difficult to stay centered. Here are my suggestions on how to find your inner light again:
Try Meditation
I’m someone who is constantly moving and talking, so when someone first suggested meditation to me, I thought they were insane. I still struggle with meditating for long periods of time, however, it has definitely grown on me. If it seems intimidating, try it for just 2 minutes! Even now, I typically only meditate for 5-10 minutes. There are many apps such as Headspace, Calm, and Omvana and YouTube videos of various lengths (here's a 2 minute video and a 5 minute video) that provide guided meditations for various purposes and lengths of times which are definitely a great resource.
Start Journaling
For a long time, I thought journaling wasn’t for me. However, I won a journal in a giveaway and decided I should make use of the prize instead of just letting it collect dust. I started looking up journaling prompts, and then decided to turn it into a coping strategy. Whenever I would feel extremely anxious and like I needed to shut down, I would instead grab my journal and dump everything I was feeling and thinking onto a page. It was a great way to release some of the anxiety, and it also served as an effective way to work through some of my struggles during therapy because it provided a thorough account of what triggered certain feelings. Journaling has allowed to get inside my own head, even in times where I want to shut out everyone (including myself.) Here are some prompts to help you get started!
Take A Yoga Class
I started taking yoga classes this summer, and I have been in love with the practice ever since. Yoga has many physical benefits, but I love the mental benefits even more. When I’m on my mat, I feel centered. The hour spent away from the craziness of society and technology is a wonderful way to get in touch with yourself. Yoga teaches perseverance and authenticity. The energy of the room always makes me feel very supported and loved. Yoga can definitely be challenging, and the lessons learned on the mat can all be applicable to life off the mat as well, from persevering through challenges, to not always choosing the easy way out. There are many different styles of yoga, and there really is a class for everyone! There are even full yoga classes on YouTube.
Make a Day Just for You
We are all constantly doing things for other people, so it’s easy to forget to do things for ourselves! Try to set a day aside (once a week, once a month, twice a year, however often you can fit into your schedule!) purely for yourself. Take the day off from work, don’t make any appointments or plans, if you have kids and they aren’t in school, get a babysitter. Use this day to revitalize yourself. Spend the entire day doing the things you enjoy most, and allowing yourself to just kick back and regain your energy and connection with yourself. It can be hard to let go of responsibilities and just focus on your own needs, but I promise that taking this one day for yourself is completely okay, and you can get back to your other commitments tomorrow!
In this fast-paced society, it’s very easy to feel disconnected from yourself. However, if you take the time to try some of these ways to get reconnected, I promise you will feel much more centered and balanced with your true self!
