Reclaiming Authenticity: Nurturing Your Inner Self and Embracing Your Desires

Who are you when you drop your titles and corresponding responsibilities or “shoulds?”

‘I don’t know’ is the usual response and that’s okay, but why don’t we find out?

Hustle culture, with its relentless emphasis on constant productivity and non-stop work, often leads to a dangerous cycle of self-neglect. In the pursuit of success and achievement, we are encouraged to sacrifice our well-being, personal relationships, and even our own identity. The pressure to always be hustling and grinding can erode our self-care practices, leaving us feeling physically and mentally exhausted.

This type of perception perpetuates the notion that rest is a sign of weakness and that one's worth is solely determined by productivity. As a result, people may lose touch with their own wants and needs, ultimately disconnecting from their authentic selves. It is crucial to challenge the glorification of burnout and prioritize self-care, allowing individuals to reclaim their sense of identity, well-being, and ultimately find a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.

It is a slippery slope when our identity and worth are tied to transient things like our jobs, our achievements or how productive we are. Because they are susceptible to change and permanence isn’t guaranteed, if these tasks are removed from your life for any reason, you risk losing your sense of self and self-worth too.

If you find yourself hustling through life feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, unhappy, lost, unfulfilled, there are a few reasons why you may be feeling this way, here are a few ideas;

1. Feeling disconnected to who you really are.

Sometimes we take on our roles in life or our titles and all the corresponding expectations as all of who we are. This can’t be further from the truth. There’s a YOU beneath your titles and the masks we all wear from day to day. There’s an inner you that is yearning for some attention and wants things that are different to all your responsibilities and things you “have” to do.

When we reconnect to our innermost selves and attend to our own needs from time to time we can feel so much better; lighter, satisfied, calm, in flow.

2. Not knowing your wants and needs.

Being disconnected to who you really are means disconnected from your wants and needs. When we don’t make time to listen to and understand our own wants and needs in this life we can just go through the motions and end up feeling quite lost, confused and dispassionate.

Many times, when I ask people what they want in life, they don’t know and that’s normal. All we need is some time and attention to ourselves to allow the answers to surface. Sometimes, our desires have been so well suppressed in order to attend to everyone else’s needs that we lose sight of them completely. That’s okay, they will return.

3. Not honoring your feminine rhythms.

Men go through cycles within 24 hours whereas women have their 28 day cycles (more or less). This means that men or persons with more male hormones and physiology can perform the same each day. Women on the other hand, have the weekly fluctuations of their hormones over a month that create different needs each day. Some weeks or days we need to go slower than others, some weeks we have all the mental clarity, focus and drive in the world to get our tasks done with ease. When we aren’t working with our physiological rhythms, we are creating more friction and tension within our systems and contributing more to overwhelm and exhaustion.

More on this here

In order to reclaim our authenticity, nurture our inner self and embrace our desires we need to SLOW DOWN.

We need to make space and time for our own needs and wants.

I know it was a tough time for many, but remember our covid-19 lock downs? We were forced to slow down and stay inside. Suddenly, all those tasks on our to-do list were warranted unessential and we realized we could live without getting them done. We learnt some lessons during that time but the world has sped back up again and we might have forgotten them.

Reclaiming authenticity and nurturing your inner self while embracing your desires is a deeply personal and transformative journey.

Here are some more steps you can take to begin this process:

• Self-Reflection: Start by setting aside dedicated time for self-reflection. Create a quiet and comfortable space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions. Consider asking yourself questions like: Who am I? What are my core values and beliefs? What brings me joy and fulfillment? Reflecting on these aspects will help you gain insight into your authentic self. Get my free self-reflection guide here
  

• Identify Limiting Beliefs: Examine the beliefs and narratives that may be holding you back from being your true self. These limiting beliefs can be deeply ingrained and may stem from societal expectations, past experiences, or self-doubt. Challenge these beliefs and replace them with empowering and supportive thoughts that align with your authentic desires.

• Set Boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries is crucial for reclaiming authenticity. Learn to say no to things that don't align with your values or desires. Prioritize self-care and create space for activities that nourish your inner self. Setting boundaries allows you to honor your authentic needs and create a life that reflects your true self.
  

• Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind and compassionate towards yourself throughout this journey. Embracing your desires and reclaiming authenticity can be challenging, and setbacks may occur. Practice self-compassion by acknowledging your progress, treating yourself with kindness, and allowing room for growth and self-discovery.
  

• Surround Yourself with Supportive People: Surround yourself with individuals who appreciate and support your authentic self. Cultivate relationships with people who encourage your growth and who you can be vulnerable with. Authentic connections with others provide a sense of belonging and help nurture your inner self.

To get to know your authentic self a little better it's helpful to do your inner work. Shop my mind-body connection bundle for access to three pre-recorded workshops that help you connect to yourself on a deep level.

Click here to learn more.

Remember, reclaiming authenticity is an ongoing process that evolves over time. Be patient with yourself, celebrate your progress, and embrace the journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.