Is Your “Self” a Shelf? Why We Play Small & Unexpected Ways to Empower The Self Now

If you hear the question, “What stops you from being your true self?” what would your answer be? Most people will say, “I fear being myself because I may fail myself”, or “If I am myself then I turn my back on the ones who need me”. My favorite, “I already am” – I would say that with the feeling of a plum pit in my throat because I knew I was lying. 

“Be your authentic self”. When those words are heard, most people feel heightened anxiety. But, why? Being your authentic self can introduce calmness and healing into your life. However, empowering the self is not that simple and we all know it – this is why it induces anxiety. We understand there are some things you will need to release and some new things you will need to introduce – this is called Change. Change is one of the main things humans fear but we lie and say we welcome it while clinging to the fantasy of control.

When You Choose to Listen to Your Inner Self, You Begin the Path of your Authentic Self.

You understand who you are. Once you agree to listen to it, your inner voice will get louder and louder to the point you have no choice but to look at yourself and your environment.

Que the anxiety and fear. Looking at ourselves means looking at why we tell ourselves we are happy if we are not. It means understanding why we stay in a space that brings us stress. When we look at those things, there is no way we can continue to lie to ourselves – we see the truth, and it is LOUD. Now that you awaken yourself to your stagnation, there’s no more ignoring and that can be terrifying.

Once you awaken to yourself, you look at your environment and the company you keep.

You begin to look at those family members who may have caused you pain all these years. You start looking at the toxic job or relationship you’re in. Then you realize, “My authentic self cannot thrive in such conditions!” Que Ryan Gosling.

This can all feel like a lot. This work is best done in stages by taking one small step at a time (shared below) instead of running up the whole staircase. This blog is not to scare you and stop you from wanting yourself. It is actually to do the opposite – encourage you to grasp yourself by seeing where your fears lie. Understanding what scares you will give you the little confidence to take the next step in conquering them.

“So, why do I stay knowing this brings stagnation?”

The simple answer for most? We want to stay. Not that we enjoy stagnation or pain, but we are frozen in fear. We find comfort in the discomfort. Becoming your authentic self also means practicing accountability. If I set up a haunted house for Halloween, I would hang the words “Change” and “Accountability” everywhere.

You will have to exercise your legs, stand, and step away from the shadows of co-dependency. You will leave behind the identities you created for yourself and the ones created for you. Maybe expressing your wounds (by engaging in relationships, situations, or arguments) is the only identity you understand. Perhaps chaos is familiar and comforting. 

Steps to Empowering The Self

• Psychic Intuitive Art Readings for guidance and clarity. It is good to grasp an understanding of what is in your life. Sometimes seeing other POVs and answers in our lives is difficult. That is where the psychic reading comes in.

• Shadow Work is working to view the parts of ourselves we keep in the dark. You know, the thoughts and emotions that creep on us in the most inconvenient moments. We usually shove those down and keep moving. Grab a journal and invite the emotions into the light. Sit with them. Speak to them. Understand them so you may release them.
• Journal about your dreams. We hide a lot from ourselves in our waking life. If you dream, even a little, write them down. Our minds are always at work trying to figure things out.
• Talk therapy is a great way to understand yourself and the things you hide from yourself. A therapist is also a great way to build your support team through this healing process.
• Practice casting your voice if you make yourself small. Now, you don’t have to go screaming or anything like that. But, if something needs to be said, practice saying it. Start with the word, “No”.
• Caroline Myss is a great speaker who offers an intriguing POV on life and how we limit ourselves and ways to live our full potential.

So, why do you play small?

Simply put, because it means you can’t lie to yourself anymore. It means you don’t need someone to validate you – just yourself. It means releasing wound play. If we stay small, not much is expected of us – we don’t expect much from ourselves.

While these seem like tall tasks and scary ones, please never let someone tell you they are not doable. So many have achieved higher selves and started in the same energy you’re sitting in now. So what does it take to be your authentic self? You just get moving. One of the best ways to begin is a Psychic Art Reading package.

It will help you understand the confusion and pain in your life and provide answers and guidance to your higher self.