It's Always Been You

How do you uncover what's wrong when you have no clue where to start?

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This is something I've been trying to learn for quite some time. Whenever I enter a period of yearning for something more, but can't identify it, I try to scan over traumas in my life that have had a significant hold over me. Sometimes I've already processed them, other times I've barely scratched their surface. No matter the situation, I sit with those feelings and let them envelop me.

When you find your mind wandering to them at random points of the day, let them take you away. Immerse yourself in those old memories and follow their stories. Maybe there was a detail you overlooked, one that has been bothering your subconscious to reach the surface. Perhaps this seemingly small detail has been subtly pulling you into the past, preventing you from reaching higher places.

The best way to release emotions associated with this moment is to fully relive the experience. This may be painful or uncomfortable for you, but it is necessary. You have to fully process all that transpired so that you can let it go. It will still be a part of your story, but now you can successfully leave it in the past where it belongs. It is no longer a roadblock on your journey.

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Beneath every stopping point you encounter, there is a deeper meaning. It could be trauma, it could be self-deprecation, it could be a person in your current life holding you back one way or another. Uncovering it requires deep intent and you have to be ready to accept the information that comes up. Practices such as journaling your emotions, connecting with music, and meditating are all ways that you can hone this focus.

You must be in a relaxed and open state for this to work. Focus on your breathing, feel the weight of your body, the way your feet connect with the ground. Be ultra-aware of your surroundings: the temperature in the room, the smells, the feel of the air. Let these sensations ground you in the moment. If your focus scatters, gently bring yourself back to the present, on your breath, on keeping yourself open. Then ask yourself questions pertaining to your particular situation.

Be broad at first: What is making me unhappy? What is happening in my life to make me feel this way?

Then start to get more specific: Why does this not fulfill me? How can I make changes to remedy my situation? Why am I so scared of this?

Doing this, from broad to specific, allows you to explore multiple facets and then dive deeper into each. Once you have identified the main areas, you gain clarity and the harder questions become more natural to answer. You find yourself in the flow and can't get the words out fast enough.

This truth has been locked inside of you, waiting to be released. Remember: You are the key. You may forget this fact over time and with stressful events in your life, but you are always this. You are there, ready to open the next door. The mind will try to erase this memory, so this practice is a good routine to incorporate in your daily or weekly life. Strengthen this part of yourself so that you never forget it. In doing so, you will be able to connect with your emotions much easier.

But with this comes much needed separation. If you spend too much time reflecting and stewing over your emotions, you forget to live without hesitance. You get stuck in a cycle of analyzing every little thing that happens to and around you. It disallows you from living intentionally, even though that's exactly what you were trying to do.

Life is all about balance. Too much of anything is a bad thing, so you must learn your limits and play within them. This means trial and error, falling down and getting back up again, and above all, perseverance. Having a strong will to continue when you face set-backs is the true marking of personal excellence. It signifies that you are ready to move forward, unafraid and anticipatory of what's to come.

You will know within yourself when you have reached this point. It will be the day that you take action rather than sitting back and letting things happen to you. Instead you are the cause of change that points your life in a new, momentous direction.

You have all the tools you need.

Trust yourself.