How to remember who you were before the world told you who to be

There comes a moment in life when you pause and realise ... you don't recognise yourself anymore. Where did your younger self go to? How did she disappear ? Are all of your old dreams and aspirations evaporated into the mist of the abyss never to resurface? did "they" finally win? They're judgement and rejection of our dreams became louder than our own desires no matter what they were.

You've carried so many roles, daughter, partner, mother, friend colleague- and with each one the world layered its expectations on you. Be quieter, Be less sensitive, be more accommodating. to feel like regardless of your choices , desires, ideas you were never enough.

Little by little you permitted your truth to be covered up. You protected yourself from hurt by hiding yourself. You obeyed their narrative because it was easier than the constant drone of why, and the condescending words that made you feel small. However, your truth, your true self, dreams, desires are not lost forever they are just hidden.

The good news, you can return to you. You can feel the awakening and re discover those dreams, and desires with more clarity than you ever had before, because today you are no longer a child who can be easily manipulated. Today you are an adult with skills and experience and the ability to make your dreams your reality.

REVISIT CHILDHOOD JOYS

Think back to when you were little. Before responsibility, before expectation and judgement. When your world was all about make believe and no dream was out of reach - who were you then?

• What excited you ?

• Who were you when no one was watching?

• What were you passionate about?

Those early joys are clues to your essence. Try bringing one of them back, even in the smallest way. Don't make this complicated, it can be something tiny and insignificant, drawing, writing stories, exploring nature, its your choice, no one gets to decide this for you. Have some fun, do the unexpected. Dance in the rain.

NOTICE WHERE YOU SHRINK

Where in your life do you withdraw? Do you silence yourself in conversations? Do you over think and try to pre empt what you think those around you will respond with before you even utter a single word? Do you apologise for existing?

That shrinking isn't who you are- it's who you were told to be. Its who you became to please others, but who is pleasing you ? The real you is just below the surface, waiting to breathe again.

JOURNAL YOUR TRUTH

Take a pen and write this prompt :

Who am I when I'm not trying to please or prove ?

Let the words flow without judgement : often your true self shows up in whispers first. Take time, slow down and listen to your heart, let her guide you and release your truth so you can read your own words, and feel the release of you.

Practise small acts of Rebellion

Rebellion doesn't always mean loud. It can be soft and sacred.

• saying no when you mean no

• wearing what feels like you

• choosing rest over hustle

• admitting what you like

• saying yes to you

Each act tells the world " I remember myself."

Create space for Becoming

You don't need to go back to the woman you were. You get to become the women you were always meant to be. Remembering who you were isn't about rewinding it is about reclaiming. You are no longer invisible you are invincible, you get to plan the road ahead, your heart is your GPS, your eyes the headlights and your mind is your steering wheel.

The world may have told you who to be.

But your soul always remembers.

And now you are coming home to her.

If this resonates, journal today on " when was the last time I felt like myself?" Then take one small step to honour her .

TO BE YOURSELF IN A WORLD THAT IS CONSTANTLY TRYING TO MAKE YOU SOMETHING ELSE IS THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT - RALPH WALDO EMERSON