The circle of life - a pattern that we have become accustomed to, learning to go with the flow and live to make it to the next day. How do we become optimistic and excited about our future when we have experienced huge changes in routines, relationships, careers, and finances?
The pandemic has left us with so many uncertainties and losses, it's hard to imagine a future while at the same time recovering from those losses. Women in particular have been subject to being the glue that holds families together, remain strong after losing or giving up jobs, and carry on living with all the emotions trapped underneath the masks. Now with the world slowly opening back up, and the masks suddenly starting to come off, we have to learn to step outside and face the world again with confidence that we can still experience a life we dream of.
Now with the world slowly opening back up, and the masks suddenly starting to come off, we have to learn to step outside and face the world again with confidence that we can still experience a life we dream of.
You may be a mother, a teacher, a wife, a stay-at-home parent, a career woman, a socialite, a chef, an adventurer, or anything you see yourself as. It makes us happy, and it warms our hearts when we are recognized for the things we are. If you look at it, you are a mother because you have a child, a wife because you have a spouse, a career woman because you have a career. Moreso, a chef needs to make food to achieve that identity, an adventurer needs the adventure to achieve that identity. There is everything beautiful in being proud of these elements but, beyond these, how do we plan a future that stands out from our responsibilities?
The answer is to connect with your true self. As much as all these titles are a part of you and your life, they are all dependent on something else. Your identity is rooted in more than just your name, pronouns, gender, what you do, and what you are. Whilst that is a big part of the external you, who you then become when that is stripped off, is the real you – your true self. The ability to know yourself better can help you make effective decisions and achieve goals. Until you recognize your true self you become the name or title that has been given to you. For example, are you really Lucy, or is Lucy your name?
For example, are you really Lucy, or is Lucy your name?
What sets you apart from everyone else? Figuring out what you like, and dislike is a great start at narrowing down your true self. That leads you to think about things you are passionate about. Those things that make you sleep better at night and that you wake up for, are key aspects of your true self.
Your identity narrative is the story you tell when you talk of your past, your present, and what it means to be you. What carried you through all the things you have been through, the lessons you choose to learn as you grow, what you believe in, and the things you fight for. It is those precious parts about you that have been consistent in making you happy and helping you move forward every single day. Those thoughts you possess deep down when you wake up to face another day.
For example, you are a survivor because you always chose to rise above circumstances and challenges. That is a quality you possess no matter what happens to you. Once you have established true self-realization, you will begin to feel an understanding of what you stand for and where you want to go.
There is nobody else anywhere on this planet that has your gifts, skills, your talents. Your true self deserves to live and flourish from this moment on.