Everyone has those moments in time when they look in the mirror and no longer recognize themselves. That feeling of disconnect can come from any number of causes and it can be difficult trying to pull yourself out of that negative slump.
When you start to feel yourself losing sight of who you are, consider using these tips to help keep in touch with yourself.
Let Yourself Feel What You Feel
When toddlers have big feelings like anger or sadness, they’re commonly taught to stop outwardly expressing those emotions. In turn, they become adults who don’t feel comfortable expressing how they feel when those same emotions and feelings come up.
It’s important to let your body feel things like grief or betrayal, even though they aren’t comfortable feelings. Allowing yourself to fully feel helps you keep in touch with your body and everything going on.
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
Traditionally, mindfulness and meditation make a person think of sitting quietly and still with their eyes closed. However, there are a plethora of ways to practice mindfulness and meditation that don’t look or sound like the traditional approach.
The practice of meditation involves using some kind of technique to focus your entire self on a specific object, thought, or activity. While one person might thrive on using yoga and seated meditation, others might meditate through exercise or journaling.
Find Someone to Talk to
When you’re feeling stuck, and you can’t seem to pull yourself out of the rut you’re in, talking to someone can be very beneficial. You may choose to confide in a friend or close family member or schedule an appointment with a counselor or therapist.
If you choose to reach out to a friend or family member, it’s important to make sure the person you’re confiding in is a positive influence. You don’t want to trust your identity crisis with someone who has negative or stagnant energy because their energy can easily be transferred to you.
Ground Yourself
When you feel like you're having an out-of-self experience, grounding is a helpful practice to try. Similar to meditating, grounding yourself involves practicing techniques that allow you to feel connected to the present moment from the ground up.
This meditation practice typically involves walking outside while barefoot in a natural area. The positive and negative ions that are in the ground and your body exchange and balance each other out. A nice grassy lawn is a great place to start.
When practicing grounding in nature, it’s important to be mindful of where you are. Don’t walk barefoot anywhere that is prohibited or may have broken glass or other sharp objects around.
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