Finding yourself is an everyday chore. Like doing the dishes or doing the laundry. You’ll find there’s always more to do.
The dishes pile up
And the laundry basket overflows
And for us, each day, something passes through…
Whether that be our moods…
Our work…
Or our environment…
It slowly piles up.
Until every part of you feels clogged up, like a sink with too many dishes and food in the drain, or a washing machine banging with a load too large to clean, and you may say to yourself, “Where am I? Where did I go? I don’t feel like me anymore”.
So what do you do when the days feel too long and the nights go too quickly? What do you say when the good days feel far and the bad days feel close?
Well, in times like those, because they’re bound to happen, know that it won’t last forever. Just like the rain, it pours and pours until there’s no more.
The first step to finding yourself among the clutter and clatter of everyday life is to remember the little you inside of you. The little one with all the stories, all the dreams, all the hopes. Find them, and don’t let go. They’ve never left. So you shouldn’t too.
The second step is to know those feelings, those moments, those aren’t you.
Treat them like a train passing through. You say hello and then goodbye.
Nothing has to stay forever; your feelings can just get on the train and go. They might overstay their welcome, leave too quickly, or not even make an impression.
But they’re busy, those feelings of yours, and they have to be on their way. So just let them go. Trust, they’ll be back.
The third thing to do is to have a little fun. Laughter makes the pain hurt less and the tears less bitter. Joy makes the sun feel brighter and the cold nights feel cozy.
Why torture yourself through the tough times? Bad times, sad times, they will come on their own, but you don’t need to egg those moments on.
And next, speak magic into your breath. Your words are powerful, much more than you may know. Each time you feel the fear, the despair, the confusion, soak through your skin and try to swallow you whole, say to yourself, “I can handle this, it won’t last forever, it’s just a train passing through”.
Find a saying, a word, or a symbol you repeat each time something begins to rattle your spirit. It can be anything, just make sure it’s positive.
So, finding yourself is an everyday chore, but it’s easier if you make it a daily practice. Just like the dishes and the laundry, the more you put it off, the longer it will take to get it done. All you have to do is let it go, hold on to nothing, and experience it all. You’ll find your heart is full, but with far less clutter and far fewer worries.