Practical Steps to Reclaiming Our Sense of Self

While reclaiming our sense of self can be challenging, there are practical steps we can take to prioritize ourselves and reconnect with our passions and interests.

Carve out dedicated time for self-care. Whether it’s a few minutes each day to meditate, a weekly yoga class, or a monthly massage, it’s important to prioritize self-care as a way to recharge and reconnect with ourselves.

Identify and pursue our passions and interests. We can reconnect with our sense of self by identifying and pursuing our passions and interests, whether it’s taking up a new hobby, joining a book club, or volunteering for a cause we care about.

Set boundaries and learn to say no. We can prioritize our own needs by setting boundaries and learning to say no to requests or commitments that don’t align with our values or priorities.

Practice self-compassion and challenge selfcritical thoughts. We can be our own worst critics, but by practicing self-compassion and challenging self-critical thoughts, we can cultivate a more positive and supportive inner voice.

While I am first to admit that women have the ability to juggle multiple roles with grace and resilience, it’s important not to lose sight of ourselves in the process. By reclaiming our sense of self, we can feel more fulfilled in our personal and professional lives, and become better partners, parents, and employees. While it can be challenging to prioritize ourselves amidst competing demands, it is essential for our overall well-being and success.

Connect with supportive communities. We can surround ourselves with supportive communities, whether it’s a group of friends, a professional network, or an online community, that can offer encouragement, inspiration, and accountability.

By taking practical steps to prioritize self-care, pursue our passions and interests, set boundaries, practice self- compassion, and connect with supportive communities, we can reclaim our sense of self and live more fulfilling lives. Let us encourage each other to prioritize ourselves and support each other in our journeys towards reclaiming our sense of self.

By Sara Sheehan

Returning home from holidays, with tons of conversations with friends and loved ones, we have an opportunity to take a step back and look at the conversations we had and understand at a deeper level where we might be able to improve our impact, connection, and deepen our relationships. Let’s take a closer look at some basics on how the ladder of conclusions can derail us (Source: Judith E. Glaser’s Conversational Intelligence), the impact of higher-level conversations, and how active listening can provide a better outcome.

The Ladder of Conclusions

When you are in a conversation, you can get on a ladder of conclusions where you keep moving up the rungs of feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and underlying meaning with each exchange. You may find that tension is rising within the conversation with the other person. There also may be interpretations or assumptions