Ways to Connect with Your Authentic Self
Discover six effective ways to connect with your true self and discover what you genuinely want in life.
We live in a world where it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, and we tend to focus on everything and everyone except ourselves. It’s an ongoing struggle for many of us to please others or to conform to what we believe will earn us love, respect, or appreciation.
But what we should be asking ourselves is how we can reconnect with who we genuinely are.
Living life without self-connection can lead to a never-ending game of stress and frustration because happiness isn’t determined by what we have or how others perceive us, but rather who we become, how we live our lives, and who we are as individuals. All the material possessions can be taken away from us, but no one can take away our identity. Falling in love with ourselves is crucial to leading a fulfilling life.
Self-connection isn’t just something that we “should” do; it’s something that we “must” do. If we feel unfulfilled with our lives, it’s a sign that we need to rediscover how to reconnect with ourselves. Perhaps we’re stuck in a dead-end job, feeling unsupported in our relationships or friendships, or experiencing anxiety or depression. All these are indicators that we need to learn how to reconnect with ourselves.
1- Discover Your Life Purpose
You don’t have to settle for mediocrity or feel like you’re missing out on your potential to give, share, create, or be. Reconnecting with your authentic self gives you a chance to celebrate your unique abilities and to determine what truly motivates you. Once you understand this, you can show up more authentically for others and make a meaningful contribution to the world.
To discover your life purpose, ask yourself, “When am I at my happiest?” “What am I doing when I feel most connected with myself?” “How do I connect with myself when I’m alone?” Your answers to these questions will reveal your gift, your essence, and the key to reconnecting with yourself.
Finding your life purpose is not always easy. We often get trapped in disempowering patterns and beliefs that lead us down a path of failure. We follow societal expectations or our families’ blueprints for happiness, and we pursue money, power, and status without linking them to a higher purpose, leading to disappointment.
2- Recognize and Meet Your Needs
Your life purpose is closely related to the six human needs: certainty, significance, variety, love/connection, growth, or contribution. Every individual has all six of these needs, but one is dominant and drives our decisions and behaviors, leading to a sense of fulfillment when met.
For instance, if you value contribution, your gift may be related to volunteering or making a positive impact in the world. If you value significance or connection, your life purpose may revolve around your family and friends. Identifying your top human need will help you reconnect with yourself.
Don’t let limiting beliefs make you believe that you don’t deserve to have your needs met. Stop putting others first without filling your own cup first. Once you recognize your needs, make it a priority to meet them. Take some time out for self-care, ask for what you need from others, and strive to be your best self so that you can give more from a place of abundance.
3- Discover Your Unique Voice
Our voices are not just tools for communication, entertainment, or self-expression; they are also a gateway to authentic self-discovery, according to renowned international voice coach Edwin Coppard, who has spoken at Life Wealth Mastery.
As children, our voices were uninhibited and genuine, but as we grew up and became more aware of our surroundings and societal expectations, we began to suppress our natural voice in favor of a more socially acceptable one.
Coppard believes that through the power of music, we can rediscover the beauty of our “wild voice” and connect with our inner selves. Whether it’s singing along to your favorite song, creating your own music, or learning to play an instrument, music can awaken you to your true self.
4- Reconnect with Your Body
Dance is not just a form of self-expression; it is also a means of reconnecting with your true essence. The 5 Rhythms practice, created and developed by Gabrielle Roth in the late 1970s, is a dance and movement meditation that emphasizes the power of dynamic movement in facilitating self-actualization.
The five rhythms – flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical, and stillness – are experiential rhythms that describe mental and emotional states. Practicing these rhythms in sequence can help you deepen your understanding of your natural truth and ground your mind by reconnecting with your body.
As you move mindfully, unpredictably, and creatively, you can release your heart and free your mind, ultimately connecting with the true essence of your soul and unlocking unlimited potential.
5- Connect with Your Inner Self through Journaling
Writing can be just as powerful as music and dance in facilitating self-connection. By writing about your experiences and emotions, you can identify and accept your feelings and clarify your opinions.
Writing down your ideas can help you discover what you know about yourself and achieve your goals. As Flannery O’Connor once said, “I write to discover what I know.”
Journaling can also ease anxiety, improve your memory, and transform your mindset. Starting a journal is simple – grab a pen and a journal and commit to writing for even just five minutes a day. Whether it’s recording your thoughts, reflecting on the day’s events, or using a pre-made journal, any form of reflection can help facilitate self-connection.
6- The Power of Asking Empowering Questions
One’s quality of life is often determined by the questions they habitually ask themselves. When you ask disempowering questions like, “Why do bad things always happen to me?” your subconscious will seek out an answer. Unfortunately, the answer may be something negative like, “Because you’re not good enough” or “Because you’re not smart enough.”
This kind of negative self-talk only serves to hinder your personal growth and prevent you from connecting with your true self. On the other hand, asking empowering questions can unlock your potential and help you reconnect with who you really are. Questions like, “How can I use this experience to appreciate myself more?” can help your brain come up with answers that not only make you feel better, but also help you celebrate your true self.
Asking quality questions is crucial because they direct our mental focus and ultimately determine our thoughts and emotions. It’s important to develop a habit of asking empowering questions that reflect your true nature. Some examples of quality questions to ask yourself are:
- What brings me the most happiness in my life right now?
- What excites me the most in my life right now?
- What am I most proud of in my life right now?
- What am I most grateful for in my life right now?
- What do I enjoy the most in my life right now?
- What am I committed to in my life right now?
- Who do I love?
By incorporating these empowering questions into your daily routine, you can tap into your most empowering emotional states. Over time, you can create a mental pathway to happiness, excitement, pride, gratitude, joy, commitment, and love, which are all part of your true self.