Taking up space in the world

The other day, I delivered my inaugural online lecture, sharing insights gained from my decade-long journey of self-improvement.

During the session, I candidly discussed my encounters, including my initial consultations with a psychologist and a family doctor, where I failed to discover the support I sought within the healthcare system.

My journey started to make sense when I visited a psychotherapist recommended by my friends and began healing sessions with a Brennan healer. With their help, I discovered suppressed feelings of sadness and anger that I had not acknowledged before, realizing that it is expected to face challenges after a childhood marked by drinking and bullying.

Ever since I began working on myself, I have gained valuable insights. I discovered the importance of nurturing my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. I realized that simply addressing traumas through therapy sessions was insufficient; I also needed to release the emotions stored within me healthily. A decade later, I confront past emotions and distressing recollections, albeit on a deeper level.

Despite this, I have grown significantly more serene than in my previous state. Daily, I feel as though I am in a state of equilibrium, where I may not be feeling terrific, but I am not feeling bad either. I have acquired the ability to refrain from reacting immediately when faced with situations that could potentially disrupt my peace—whether it be an external circumstance or something said to me—which would typically trigger past emotional pain.

By refraining from immediate reactions and instead observing the situation, I often find that it resolves swiftly without me directing any negativity towards myself or others. This ability stems from my curiosity and willingness to examine the circumstances, a skill I have honed through practices like daily meditation.

I have been willing to explore various options that could potentially assist me in this process, such as talk therapy, healing, craniosacral therapy, Bowen therapy, hypnosis, meditation groups, Dale Carnegie courses, and coaching. These experiences have enabled me to gain deeper insights into myself and enhanced my understanding of those around me, leading to improved relationships with myself and others.

Looking inward and accepting responsibility for one's actions and well-being can be challenging. Many try to avoid this by making excuses, such as minimizing the seriousness of the situation or saying it's not the right time.

Numerous people do indeed face challenges that impede their personal growth, including those living in poverty, dealing with trauma, or encountering physical and mental barriers. To pursue self-improvement, it is essential for individuals to have their fundamental needs met and to establish a sense of security.

Nevertheless, when individuals have the chance to improve their situation, the potential benefits are significant. It is widely believed that people who encounter difficulties and feel negative emotions often unintentionally harm others; as the saying goes, "hurt people, hurt people."

Consequently, personal development benefits the individual and has a ripple effect on their family and the broader society. Spiritual doctrines stress that individuals instigating change within themselves are the foundation for transforming the world.

For a while, I contemplated giving a presentation on this subject and imparting the knowledge I had acquired. I eventually decided to go ahead with it because I felt compelled to voice my thoughts and experiences in person.

The key takeaway from this endeavour has been learning to value myself sufficiently to authentically express myself, disregarding external criticism and opinions, and confidently occupying my space in the world.