Cost of Self-Abandonment
When we consistently abandon ourselves, we lose our connection to our inner compass. The cost isn't just exhaustion or resentment; it's the gradual disconnection from what we know feels right.
Whenever we say "it's fine" when it's not, suppress our feelings, or prioritize others' comfort over our clarity, we reinforce the message that our experience doesn't matter.
Finding Our Way Back
Reclaiming yourself isn't about dramatic declarations or sudden changes. It's about tiny, consistent moments of choosing differently:
Pausing before automatically saying yes
Standing by our needs without apology
Keeping boundaries firm even when others push back
Following our instincts, even when they differ from others' opinions
A Different Kind of Growth
Growth doesn't require abandoning who you are. It doesn't demand that you shrink, silence, or reshape yourself to fit someone else's mold. Instead, it invites you to expand into your fullest expression.
Self-improvement builds on what's already there - it doesn't tear it down. It enhances your natural qualities rather than erasing them. It respects your inner knowing rather than replacing it with external shoulds.
Moving Forward
The most potent growth happens when you stand firmly in who you are. It's about recognizing that the qualities you've been trying to change might be your most substantial assets.
The path back to yourself starts with a question: What would change if you stopped abandoning yourself and started listening to your voice?
Remember: Your needs aren't too great, your feelings aren't wrong, and your voice deserves space. You don't need to earn the right to exist exactly as you are.
Listening to Your Body
Your body knows before your mind catches up. Old patterns drive your actions on autopilot, often leading you to abandon yourself before you know it's happening.
It happens in moments like this: You've told your boss about experiencing burnout and needing more balance. And here you are again, being asked to stay late for another project. You find yourself nodding your head because it feels like you're fighting to be heard. Even as your body signals no, you say yes - a pattern so familiar it feels like muscle memory.
This moment reveals a deeper pattern - how often we override our needs to accommodate others. While our minds might understand we have a choice, our bodies fall into old habits of saying yes when we mean no.
This is where somatic awareness becomes valuable. The body is our vehicle for acting, behaving, and connecting with others. By staying present with these patterns - even when uncomfortable - you begin to notice when you're pushing aside your needs to meet others' expectations. These moments become invitations to pause and ask: Am I choosing this, or am I automatically adjusting to what someone else wants?
