Why is it we find concepts like ‘self-care’ or ‘being unapologetic for being ourselves’ so challenging to implement? The long and short of it is: we live our lives overstretched. As a woman, mother, daughter, sister, whatever, we over give and please others, leaving ourselves zero room for the nourishing stuff gifting us the ability to REALLY help those around us. We all do this, so imagine, all of us walking around overextended. This elastic will snap (if it hasn’t already).
Sophie Leone, The Book of Revelations
Reclaiming ourselves involves taking radical self-responsibility. No one will do it for you. It has to be YOU who takes the steps to put in some you time. This is deep work, because it comes down to how much we value ourSELVES, LOVE ourSELVES, and of course, this is fraught with all the negatives connotations we place upon our shoulders.
You are the most important person in your life. You have everything you need already within to be your most fully expressed and liberated version. It was all there as you arrived Earthside and as a child. It’s just you then ‘did life’ and the layers of education, societal expectations, pressure, competition, busy, ‘musts and shoulds’ muddied your sacred waters.
These 7 potent magic dips are the beginnings of you saying YES to wanting a conversation with yourself and being interested in ALL you have to say and feel.
1 – Journal
Keep it simple. You might be the type who needs to buy yourself a brand-new notebook. Do it. You might be happy to scribble wherever. Maybe you prefer to record voice notes. Do it. The point of this is to RELEASE EVERYTHING. You’re not auditioning for a show or writing a novel. No one is going to mark your work. Record the noise in your head, your heart and your body. Let the ink flow, even if it’s “I don’t know what to write” repeatedly.
2 – Get out in nature
Leave your phone. The power and energy of trees, rivers, seas, mountains, meadows – the wilderness – is a call to your deepest, most ancient belonging. Walk or sit, take the time to be in awe of what is in front of you without need for explanation or justification. Allow for nature to hold you just as you are, whatever mood you are in (or however you look!) and receive the medicine of non-judgement.
3 – Rest
You know when you’re going to bed too late. Set an alarm and get to bed. Resting in front of Netflix or scrolling on social media is not true rest and you know it. Give yourself a chance to start your day with sleep in your tank. Search Yoga Nidra online. These laying down guided meditations are soul food and delicious tools to reconnect with our soft and fierce feminine ways.
4 – Say No
To that invitation your gut is telling you ‘NO’ to. To that extra whatever it is you know you do and then feel empty about (the birthday party/wedding invite, the extra work tasks you have zero interest in and feel bullied into).
5 – Say Yes
To that almond filled croissant your mouth is watering over. Your body’s cells are more ancient and intelligent than you know. Your body gratefully receives what you have given yourself full permission for and not under duress or coercion!
6 – Answer to the need right now.
Do you need a wee? Do you need 5 minutes? Do you need that brilliant tune on NOW so you can shake your body and feel good?
7 – Allow yourself into conversations which make your ears prick and intrigue you.
Yes, I’m talking about those weird, crazy or far-fetched subjects. There is a remembering within you asking for reactivation and reconnection.
Reclamation of self is the ultimate act of love and service. You reclaimed is you lighter, brighter and inspirational to those around you. This is how we effect change. We need you.
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Sophie Leone is a writer, author, performer who galvanises women to take ownership of who they are and unapologetically show up as their authentic selves, by tapping into their desires, using voice and energy to activate an inner strength that's hidden deep within.
Her first book “The Book of Revelations” is available via Amazon or Waterstones Online. Find her on Instagram @iamsophieleone