Today's world pulls at us in a thousand different directions. We get absorbed into the chaos with each scroll on our phones. It's no wonder that research shows social media is detrimental to mental health. We weren't meant to be bombarded with emotions and feelings at such an intense rate. It is hard for our nervous systems to process and leads to neglecting and abandoning yourself even more, yet you likely find yourself scrolling to try to soothe your already dysregulated system. It is a habit designed for failure and it is time to reclaim yourself and your life again.

I've had several clients tell me they feel lost, like they no longer know who they are, what they like, or even what they want. I know they are not alone. Many of us experience this. It creates an identity crisis within and yet instead of turning inward most of the time we allow life to pull us in whatever direction it wants. We focus on others and wear the hat of the caretaker tending to everyone else trying to satiate that inner void that feels needy and neglected, and yet even though we our pouring out love and compassion, there's a lingering emptiness. This is the sting of self-abandonment. 

Those moments of reaching outside the self, tending to others, ignoring the inner feelings and filling the void with things like doom-scrolling, all of these things add up... to neglecting yourself. Even though it was unintentional, it is felt, and you likely feel that sting just reading it. Stay with me though because we're going to work through it.

Let's start changing this, by returning home to yourself. This doesn't mean you have to stop helping others and being your compassionate self, we're just going to shift some of that compassion to you, because you are worthy and deserving of your love too. 

Start your day devoted to you. Not scrolling. Not caretaking. Even if you have to set your alarm 5 minutes early. Start your day with a simple practice devoted to you so you can move through the rest of your day with a connection back to self. 

The practice simple, but that doesn't mean it's easy. You'll be challenged by your mind telling you to do other things, to be busy, to fight the stillness and the settling. You'll want to choose sleep and the comfortable patterns you are use to. You'll want to repeat the self-abandonment practices you've gotten familiar with because it's already known, but this is your chance at rediscovering you. You've got to empower yourself to do the things that help you. You've got to work through those inner shadow pieces that rise to the surface and make you doubt yourself. Here's the real truth, I already know you are more than strong enough to do it because you've been strong enough to survive this far. It is time to let yourself soften and trust that you've got your own back now. And if you need a community of support, we're right here with you, carrying the lantern to light your way because we've been there. Find our community group on FaceBook at SoulWise with Jena for more practices, connection, and community.