Finding Self: Embodying the Wholeness Within

As I reflect on my life while writing this, I’m fairly certain that the journey to finding self has been the most impactful path I’ve ever traveled—and continue to travel.

For years, I had a habit of wanting to escape everything. I thought this was the answer to being free of feeling trapped, suffocated, and restless. It was a quick fix, but never a long-term solution. Deep down, I knew this, yet I didn’t know how to do it any differently.

This constant escaping led to feeling disconnected from myself. The answer, I discovered, was embodiment—resting in my true nature. I tried meditation, yoga, and chasing flow states, believing these would ground me. While they felt good momentarily, the effects never lasted.

Now I understand why, and I'm here to share those insights. My hope is that you, too, can experience a lasting sense of wholeness within.

Finding Self: Why It's Crucial for Your Best Life

Let's talk about finding self and why it's so important.

You know those annoying patterns holding you back? Most aren't even yours. They're just baggage you've picked up along the way. The key is digging deep and asking yourself who you truly are beneath all that noise.

Finding self is about uncovering your highest self. It's about living a life that's truly yours, not one dictated by others' expectations or your own limiting beliefs.

When life's challenges arise, a strong sense of self is your secret weapon. It helps you break free from patterns that don't serve you and allows you to quickly recognize when you're off-track and course-correct.

Think about it. The more you connect with your authentic self, the easier it becomes to spot when you're not in that space. It's like having an internal GPS for your soul.

Reality is subjective, and it all starts with your beliefs. When operating from your true self, you're not on autopilot. You're conscious, present, and in control. From this space, you're truly able to manifest the life you want to create and experience.

Imagine this: Everyone around you is panicking about an imaginary storm. When operating from non-self, it's easy to get pulled into that energy, question your own truth, and even take on that anxiety as your own. But from self? You're calm because you trust your inner radar. That's the power of finding self. You don't get swept up in other people's chaos.

The bottom line is, the more you take on what doesn't belong to you, the more chaos and confusion you create in your body and mind. Finding self is your ticket to peace, clarity, and living your best life.

My Journey to Finding Self

I want to share a bit of my journey to finding self with you. It's been a rollercoaster, and I bet you'll see a piece of yourself in this story too.

It began when I tried to find that elusive feeling of self to rest in. I was aware that my life circumstances were shaped by patterns I was operating from. Anxiety would surface, and though I knew its origins, I couldn't process it or stop identifying with it. In those moments, I desperately wanted to feel what was actually true - to find myself and rest in that.

I tried to recall a feeling of embodiment. The only genuine experience I could remember was from childhood. It was a distant memory, but for a second, I grasped it. That feeling where everything was fine, I was light, happy, curious, and free. This was before school, before my parents split up, before life's complexities set in.

But as I grew up, I struggled to recapture that feeling. What felt real as a kid now seemed like an escape. It felt heavier, as if I was trying to drag that initial feeling through time, weighed down by all the stories, shame, guilt, and painful emotions that happened since then.

That’s when this visual of life’s baggage emerged in my mind, helping me to make sense of it all.

Life's Journey of Accumulating Baggage

You've heard how life piles on baggage, right? Parents, school, society - they all heap their expectations on you. Before you know it, you're lugging around shame, unworthiness, maybe a need to be perfect, among countless other burdens. Sound familiar?

This was the essence of my visual. I could see my childhood self, watching as life gradually loaded me up with these heavy bags. It was like watching a movie unfold, and not a particularly enjoyable one.

Sure, I could find moments of peace - driving with the windows down, screaming to music, feeling the wind on my skin, or during yoga. But it always felt heavier than when I was a kid. Why? Because even though I set the baggage down, I thought I had to pick up all that sh*t again when the moment passed.

But here's the simple truth: I could just drop the bags. Why didn't anybody tell me this when I was young!? And maybe they did, but I wasn't ready to believe it just yet.

The trick is becoming conscious enough to spot these bags. Shame, anxiety, a busy mind, the need to be perfect - none of these are the truth of who I am.

When I finally said, "I'm setting these down, and I'm not picking that up again," I got closer to that original embodied state I knew as a kid. This realization was like my inner wisdom finally breaking through, sending a quick message through a crack of light.

Finding self isn't about escaping or taking a vacation from your baggage. It's about realizing you can leave those bags behind for good. It's about returning to that unburdened, whole self you were when you first entered this world.

What Happens When You Don't Recognize the Bags: The Hidden Cost of Not Finding Self

The Unconscious Burden

Let's talk about what happens when you don't take a good, hard look at those bags you're carrying. 

First off, you keep piling on more baggage. Life doesn't stop, and neither does the accumulation of stuff you think you need to carry. Before you know it, the real you is buried under a mountain of unnecessary weight.

You start to feel lost and disconnected. Decision-making becomes a struggle because you can't hear your own voice anymore. Your relationships suffer as it's hard to connect when you're unsure of who you are. And it can also lead to doubting your abilities and value, reducing your self-worth.

The Escape Route That Leads Nowhere

When the weight of all of that becomes too much, your body starts screaming at you. But instead of listening, you run. You distract. You resist.

Maybe you turn to drinking, mindless scrolling, overworking, or excessive exercise. Whatever your distraction, it's all the same - you're trying to escape the heaviness.

The problem is that all this running just makes things worse. You're adding more stress and chaos to your already overloaded system. This is when that energy starts manifesting into various physical and emotional symptoms.

By refusing to listen to our body's messages, we make things much harder for ourselves.

The Trap of False Allowing

Here's where it gets tricky. You might think you're doing the right thing by trying to "allow" these feelings. You're breathing through it, not resisting. But a part of you still doesn't understand that you can just drop the bags.

I've struggled with knowing whether to let something be or dig deeper. Sometimes, I felt like I was ignoring important issues by just "allowing" them.

What I learned was that both approaches have merit. For me, understanding needs to happen before true allowing is possible. It's about really examining the bags, understanding why you think they're yours to carry, and then consciously choosing to let them go.

Take that ‘bag’ of fear, for example. You can't just say, "Okay, I see you, fear. I'll let you hang out here." In that scenario, you'd still be carrying it because a part of you still believes it's yours—you’re still identifying with it. You have to dig deeper and understand why you're carrying it. Once you've done that, you can truly let it go.

And life will keep offering you these bags. But now you know the truth. You may have to say, "No thanks, not mine," a thousand times. But you no longer need to pick them up mistaking them as yours.

From this space, you can move into true allowing without feeling like you're ignoring or escaping your issues. It's about recognizing them, understanding them, and then choosing not to carry them anymore.

Dropping the Bags: A Path to Finding Self

I've already mentioned the most crucial point: most of the bags aren't yours, and you don't need to carry them. You can simply set them down and leave them there.

Knowing this is one thing, but putting it into practice is another. Now's the time to lighten your load and rediscover your true self.

Here's my process for dropping the baggage:

1. Bring Awareness

First things first, you need to step into the observer role and become aware of how you're living. Pay attention to your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations:

• Notice when you're not where you want to be emotionally or mentally
• Pay attention to when you're going against your body's wishes
• Tune into your body's signals - when do you feel expansive or contracted?
• Question what feels true and what doesn't

The more aware you become, the easier it is to spot what's truly yours and what's not.

2. Create Understanding

Once you've spotted your baggage, it's time to get curious. Examine each bag closely and ask yourself some important questions:

• Is this really mine? Does it serve me?
• If the answer's no, it's time to let it go
• If yes, then you have some processing to do

Remember, your brain's trying to tell you something. Until you get the message, it'll keep sending signals and get louder in other ways. So listen up!

3. Identify Patterns

To break free from obstacles, you need to recognize what's holding you back. Look for recurring themes in your life:

• Pay attention to your daily thoughts and actions
• Keep a journal to track what you notice
• Once you spot them, dig deeper into where these patterns come from
• Listen to your body - physical symptoms often point to deeper issues

Recognizing these patterns help lead you back to the specific bag you're carrying. This bag is often the source of recurring circumstances, thoughts, feelings, behaviors, or results in your life. By spotting these connections, you can start to address the root causes of persistent issues.

4. Have Compassion and Disidentify

Compassion is key, and it's one I missed for way too long:

• Be kind to yourself as you work through this process, especially when uncovering painful stuff
• Resist the urge to be self-critical or dismissive of your vulnerable parts
• Talk to your baggage like a loving parent - it needs to feel heard
• Remember, those bags aren't you - they're just stuff you've picked up

By approaching this process with compassion and disidentifying from your baggage, you create a safe space for healing. This gentle approach allows you to examine your experiences without judgment, making it easier to let go of what no longer serves you and move forward with a lighter heart.

5. Reorient Yourself

Now that you've created understanding, you're in a space where you can truly allow and leave the bags alone. You can reorient yourself without feeling like you're escaping:

• Use your feelings as clues for where healing is needed
• Interrupt old patterns and rewrite them to align with your soul's truth
• When old feelings pop up, recognize them, have compassion, but don't claim them as yours
• Focus on the energy of the person you're becoming
• Repeat this process until it becomes second nature

And look, you don't have to have it ALL figured out. Sometimes, you just need to drop the bags and trust in your own wholeness.

When you drop the bags for good, that's when you become truly embodied. No more of that "embodied escape" nonsense where you set them down but still feel responsible for picking them back up.

This is where your best life starts to happen. It's time to start finding self and living light. You've got this!

The Benefits of Dropping the Bags: Finding Your True Self

We already talked about some of the benefits, but there are so many more that we haven’t even touched on yet. Let’s get into it!

Freedom and Power

First off, you'll feel free. Like, really free. No more getting caught up in others' drama or energy. You'll stand firm in your truth. And with that freedom comes power - the power to be unapologetically you.                     

Health and Energy Boost

Your body will thank you. Seriously. Dropping those bags means:

• Improved health overall
• Higher energy levels
• Better sleep  

Stronger Relationships

Prepare for deeper connections. Without unnecessary baggage, you'll be:

• More present in your relationships
• Attracting genuine people
• Building more meaningful connections

Embracing Life's Challenges

Instead of trying to escape when things get tough, you'll be:

• Welcoming challenges
• Embracing them for what they are
• Growing from each experience

The Everyday Vacation Feeling

Those bags carry energetic weight. When you drop them, you'll feel physically lighter. Imagine having that carefree vacation feeling every day. That's what finding self is all about.

Peace, Joy, and Happiness

Let's break it down:

• Peace: You'll feel calm and centered
• Joy: Daily activities become more fulfilling
• Happiness: It'll bubble up from within, not from external factors

Clarity and Confidence

When you're truly yourself:

• Life decisions become clearer
• You trust yourself and your choices more
• You recognize when you're not being authentic

The Power of Knowing Yourself

The truth is, everything you need is already within you. Dropping the bags allows you to realize this on an energetic level. Life becomes simpler and more genuine. You'll break free from limiting patterns, allowing your true self to lead the way.

So, are you ready to feel lighter, more peaceful, and genuinely happy in your everyday life?

It's time to start finding self and embracing who you really are.

Exercise: Be in the Feeling 

This exercise is your gateway to freedom. The goal is to familiarize yourself with the feeling of being free from baggage.

Regular practice will help you:

• Recognize when you're not in self
• Identify what's truly yours and drop what's not
• Return to this state more easily

The Step-by-Step Guide

1. Find a Quiet Space

Choose a peaceful area where you won't be disturbed. Eliminate distractions, including your phone.

2. Sit Comfortably

Find a comfortable position. You can sit on a chair or on the floor, whatever feels best for you.

3. Breath and Body Scan

Close your eyes and take deep breaths. Scan your body from head to toe, noticing any tension. Allow each part to relax.

4. Drop Those Bags

With each inhale, draw in your true self. Each exhale, release what's not yours. Visualize dropping heavy bags and standing in your truth. Imagine waking up free from burdens, ready to create the life you want. Really immerse yourself in that feeling of freedom, like when you first entered this world without baggage.

5. Open Your Eyes to a New World

Now slowly open your eyes from this space, like you're seeing the world for the first time. Notice how everything might appear brighter and feel lighter. This is the effect of dropping the bags.

6. Reflect and Write

Make this a regular practice. The more familiar you become with your embodied self, the easier it will be to maintain this state.

This feeling is your north star in finding self. Once you find it, you'll always have a way back.

All you really need to do is breathe and rest in this feeling of self. Do this first, and watch how everything else falls into place.

Working with the Self: From Baggage Drop to Creative Flow

Once you start dropping those bags, it's time to consciously manifest the life you truly want. This is where the magic happens!

Here's how to amplify your creation energy:

1. Vibrate Higher

Dropping those dense bags raises your vibrational frequency, making you magnetic. You've cleared the blockages, now use that energy!

2. Get Crystal Clear on Your Vision

Create a detailed picture of your future self. What do you think about? What surrounds you? How do you live and show up? Visualize this often and start living as if it's already here. This gives your energy a clear focus.

3. Manifest from Self

Build creation energy by resting in this embodied state. This is where your power lies and the space from which you want to take action as you focus on your goals.

Everyday Self-Alignment

Keep your self-connection strong with these practices:

• Stay Present: Focus on the here and now. Gently redirect your wandering mind.
• Daily Practices: Incorporate simple activities like meditation or journaling, even for just a few minutes.
• Know Your Triggers: Recognize situations that pull you away from your true self. Pause to breathe and center yourself.
• Positive Self-Talk: Use kind, encouraging words in your internal dialogue.
• Move Your Body: Connect with yourself through activities like yoga or walking.
• Set Boundaries: Protect your energy by saying no to things that don't serve you.
• Connect with Nature: Spend time outdoors to feel grounded and aligned.
• Mindful Eating: Pay attention to what you eat and how it makes you feel.
• Gratitude Practice: List things you're thankful for daily to shift focus to the positive.

Quick Tips for Finding Self on the Go

• Breathe Deeply: Take three deep breaths when stressed.
• Check In: Ask yourself: "How am I feeling right now?"
• Smile: Even when you don't feel like it, smiling can shift your mindset.
• Digital Detox: Reduce screen time and engage in real-world activities.
• Know Your Destination: Have a goal to focus your creative energy.

This is about more than just feeling good. It's about creating the life you want. You've done the hard work of dropping the baggage; now fill that space with your dreams and vision.

Remember, your true self is your superpower. Use it to manifest, create, and live the life you've always wanted. No more excuses, no more holding back. You've got this, and your future self is cheering you on.

Ready to turn that creative energy into reality? Let's make some magic happen!

The Journey Continues: Embracing Your Authentic Self

As I continue on the path of finding self, I leave a trail of bags behind me, feeling lighter and freer with each step. And the same is true for you!

Finding self is a lifelong journey, not a one-time event. You won't magically drop all your baggage overnight. Life doesn't work that way. You'll keep discovering new bags you didn't even know you were carrying. The key is to get better at spotting them, deciding which ones are truly yours to carry, dropping those that aren't, and processing those that are.

The path to finding self is simple in theory but requires courage to walk. It's about consistently choosing authenticity over comfort and facing your truths, even when they're uncomfortable. It can be challenging, but trust me, it's worth every single step.

Reiki and Manifesting Are Your Secret Weapons On This Journey!

Becoming conscious and moving into manifesting helps you drop the bags you've been carrying. Reiki then steps in to boost your vibrational frequency, bringing hidden issues to the surface for release.

Together, these practices can transform your journey to finding self from a struggle into an adventure.

If you're new to Reiki, you can learn more about it here.

Ready to supercharge your journey now? Book a distance session with me.

Interested in experiencing both? Sign up for my free 7-day Reiki Box Manifestation Challenge and discover how they can work together to bring you closer to the wholeness already present within you.

Remember, finding self isn't just about self-awareness. It's about reclaiming your life and living it on your terms. It's about shedding what's not truly you and embracing what is.

So, are you ready to get real with yourself? To drop those bags and step into your power? The journey awaits. Let's do this!