Feeling lost and disconnected from yourself? 5 Ways to Listen to and Reconnect with your Inner Voice.

Starting in childhood, I felt a worrying sense that I didn't know what I wanted to "be when I grew up." Other people just seemed to know things about themselves or their future path, but I didn't share their confidence. And yet, I felt immense pressure to just keep going, keep meeting expectations, keep pleasing, keep achieving success - though I wasn't sure on what or whose terms.

At some point I stumbled upon this quote about "returning to yourself" and it struck a chord.

I realized how normal it is to feel confused and disconnected from our inner voice, because the pressures and outside influences of the world can feel very powerful and persuasive if we are not rooted in our own passions, wants, needs and perspective.

So when I read this quote, it felt like a relief to remember I had many clues already inside of me. I gained confidence that I could tap into resources inside and around me to turn up the volume of my inner voice.

I don't believe there is any one formula for reconnecting to your inner self. But I do have some tried and true practices to start you on the path.

The trick is to peel back layers of the onion to rediscover what's at your core, while also changing and growing into a potentially whole new vegetable! Ha, well - you get the metaphor, right? The point is it's not a linear process - more like a winding garden path in which you start with the stone that's right in front of you. Maybe it's covered over by years of mud and weeds or debris, you just have to dig a little to find it. From that starting point, you keep uncovering and laying down the next step in your footpath, and before you know it, you're heading in the direction your heart and soul feel called to.

1 ) Reconnect to your inner child by allowing yourself to play and create.

If you could think back to a time in your early life where you felt carefree, at ease, and free -- what would you be doing in that moment? For me when I try to picture such a moment, I'm sitting alone in my bedroom during summer break, the window open, nowhere to be and no schoolwork or chores at the moment. I am probably listening to music, reading a novel, writing angsty teenage poetry, or sketching something in my notebook. The answer to this question when I pose it to clients varies, but it always comes back to some sort of activity where no one is judging or inserting their opinions of what you "should" be doing, or what would be considered "productive". That's where the magic is - allowing yourself to reconnect with your inner free spirit and listening to what it is calling you to do. From there, journal about the experience of this exercise, and make time for this practice of doing the actual "play" during your weekly routine. There are clues in this if you're willing and ready to pay attention!

2) Take walks outside, whether in your neighborhood or out in nature.

Not only does walking have physical benefits, but it gives a uniquely powerful boost to our mental health and sense of well being. Increased blood flow: Walking increases the flow of oxygen, nutrients, and blood to your brain. Have you ever had a problem you were trying to solve at work for example, took a walk to the kitchen or cafe and went about your day, then came back to it with new ideas to solve it? Scientific research has found that walking has powerful effects on the brain:

• Walking releases BDNF, a protein that stimulates the growth of new brain cells and connections. 

• Walking can improve memory and thinking skills. In fact, it increases the size and volume of the hippocampus, a brain region responsible for emotional processing, learning and memory.

• Walking can reduce the risk of cognitive decline by as much as 50% as we age.

• Walking in nature can reduce stress levels. 

• Walking enhances creativity and divergent thinking, which can lead to more creative and novel ideas. 

• Walking can increase energy levels by increasing blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain and muscles. 

• Improved brain connectivity: Walking can strengthen connections between and within brain networks. 

Best of all, it's a free activity we can do almost every day, with little preparation, minimal effort, no special equipment, and can flex to be any length of time or distance to fit the schedule you have available. For extra benefit. consider writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal afterwards. Where do you notice your thoughts wandering? What did you enjoy spending time thinking about? What new questions did you get curious about?

3 - Read and listen to new sources of information.

This one is pretty straightforward, but in order to rekindle the spark inside of you, it's important to expose yourself to new kindling - insights and perspectives and ideas through books, articles, blogs and whatever sources seem interesting to you. You can also listen to audio books, and podcasts if you prefer learning through auditory processing. Are there any topics that you find yourself gravitating to learning about or spending time on in your spare moments? Pay attention to that. Are there hobbies of yours that you want to improve at and read up on? Tap into that natural energy and excitement. Are there books on your TBR list you keep meaning to get to, but haven't yet? Make the time and space for it! Then, write down your thoughts as you go. The point is to get your brain into learning mode again, feeling expansive and enjoying the possibility of new connections and information leading you in new directions.

4 - Join something in your community that connects you to new people and perspectives.

It could be a sewing club meetup, or a community college literature class, an online business course, a volunteer initiative at a food bank. Getting out in the world among people who are also trying new things and in learning mode will feel inspiring and contagious. You will realize just how many different ways there are to be "productive" in the world. and that in fact being productive is really about finding ways to express your own unique gifts and contribute to society.

5 - Enlist support from trusted partners.

The people in your life who know and care about you are also a fantastic resource for reflecting back your inner sense of self. They often see your strengths, your interests, your gifts with a clearer sense than you might realize. They know your likes and dislikes, they see what lights you up and gives you energy. They also know and hear what you complain about and maybe wish you could do less of. Also, they can offer support, encouragement, networking connections, and accountability to keep going! Friends and family are great but may not always have the level of tools and resources you're looking for, at which point it's great to enlist a professional! This could take the form of a therapist, a life coach, a career advisor or an informal mentor. The point is, no man is an island and in order to know ourselves more deeply, it sometimes helps to have a sounding board and a mirror to help reflect back to us our reflections.

I hope this resonates with you as a helpful starting point. Every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, or in this case 5 :), and I believe they will help point your compass to your true north as you grow into your path!