Three Steps Closer to the Real You

We all have one.

You’ve experienced it when you’re feeling doubtful, fearful, unsure, angry or vengeful.  If you’ve experienced addiction, procrastination, worry, low self esteem. It’s tunnel vision, limited thinking, black and white, right and wrong. It echoes things from your past, from your childhood when you absorbed messages from your environment, unfiltered, like a tiny sponge – ‘you couldn’t be/do/achieve/have that…you’ll never make it…what makes you think you’re so special?’

There’s a force within us which seeks to douse our light. Ladies and Gentlemen I give you...The Ego* Cue rapturous applause and standing ovation. 

I often wonder how we’ve evolved, as advanced as we are, with the tiniest, most screwed up version of ourselves in our heads masquerading as the real deal. So powerful it convinces us it is who we are. And here’s the thing, it only wants to keep us safe and protected. Nature has its ways and in the interests of self preservation, it’s a pretty incredible method of keeping us very safe, but also, very unsatisfied and often, very unhappy. As human beings we are built for growth and evolution, and our Ego Self can block this natural process.

Yoga teaches us that we are limitless. That we are not our past, our biological make-up, our family. That we are present moment awareness, pure consciousness itself manifested in human form. A pure cosmic being of light encased in a meat suit. Yep, remember that next time you’re skint, get a fine on the Metrolink or wake up covered in last night’s kebab. It’s pretty easy to forget our own amazing potential since the world isn’t designed to empower you. You must seek to empower yourself.

So how do we begin? Where do we start?

Here’s 3 key things we can do to begin to open to our unlimited potential:

1 – Meditate. It’s free, its life changing. The most important relationship you’ll ever have is with yourself so give yourself the chance to explore your internal landscape. Close your eyes and feel your inhale and your exhale coming in through your nose and out through your nose. You’re meditating. There’s tons of resources including Youtube and apps for guided meditations, otherwise simply take ten minutes to observe your breath. Allow any thoughts or sensations to be there with no judgement. All is welcome.

2 – Watch your diet and I don’t just mean food. We’re nourished in countless ways, by the company we keep, by the things that we read and watch. Start to become mindful of what you’re allowing into your space and notice how it makes you feel. Endless scrolling first thing in the morning on your commute making you feel icky and contracted? Stop it, read an inspiring book instead. Begin to be aware of what you’re consuming – mentally, physically, emotionally. You get to choose what you allow into your space.

3 – Give yourself Space. Huge. Go easy on yourself. Be kind to yourself. So you don’t have it figured out, I’ll let you in on a little secret, none of us do. Nada. Not a one. Life doesn’t come with a rule-book. But all I know for sure is that when we’re easy on ourselves, when we give ourselves space and self-compassion, we’re easier on other people, we walk a little taller, we eat better, we sleep better, and we move closer to who we really are. Let yourself breathe.