We’re often told it’s important to take care of ourselves, and we (usually) interpret that as a green light to go shopping for material goods — which is totally an option. But there are other ways to focus on and care for your inner self.
Focusing on your inner self is an important personal task to ensure you are grounded, happy, and moving in the right direction. You can make sure you’re giving your mind, body, and spirit enough attention by taking life a bit more slowly, removing distractions and toxicity from your life, and listening to what’s inside of you. If you’re having trouble, here are some pointers that will set you in the right direction.
- Do some journaling
Journaling is one of the best ways you can connect with your inner self. You can follow prompts, which will help you uncover and dig into certain topics you may be looking to explore. However, you can also write without a prompt, which is a powerful practice that allows you to connect with your inner consciousness. Just simply write raw. One of the most effective ways to do this is with “morning pages.” If you write when you first wake up, you can usually better write from your inner, most uninhibited self. Write down what you are thinking and feeling, your memories and dreams, or anything else that comes to mind. The more frequently you do this practice, the deeper you will find yourself going and the more aligned your mind and heart will become.
- Relax with CBD products
A great way to focus on your inner self is to relax and let go of daily stresses that might be causing you anxiety. Many find that CBD products relieve symptoms of anxiety. Cannabidiol (CBD) is found in the cannabis plant, and it’s found to help a lot of people with pain, stress, anxiety, insomnia, and more. People love that it relaxes you without getting you high.
One of the best forms of CBD is hemp flowers, which have very low levels of THC. CBD hemp flowers are the flowered buds of the cannabis plant. Various strains are available, such as Hawaiian Haze and Sour Space Candy, which are all intended to encourage ultimate relaxation. You can purchase vetted CBD products from Plain Jane, a trusted CBD brand that works with over 15 farms mainly located in Southern Oregon. Plain Jane also have their own hemp farm, where they practice sustainable and regenerative farming.
Consult a healthcare provider in advance of using hemp to learn about potential side effects (especially if you’re taking other medication) and ensure the products are right for you. It is also advisable to experiment with low doses initially, to ease your way into the experience. Hemp oil and tinctures are other forms of CBD you can consider consuming.
- Practice meditation and breathing practices
Meditation comes in many forms, each of which has its own benefit. No matter if you choose to meditate on a specific idea, if you simply want to unplug from technology and quiet your mind, or if you want to sit and observe your thoughts, a daily meditation practice is highly beneficial when you want to turn your focus inwards. Find a comfortable, distraction-free space in which to practice your meditation. You can use simple breathing techniques to begin your meditation.
- Connect with nature
Living in a city, working within the confines of an office, and lacking sufficient exercise, fresh air, and sunlight can all be highly detrimental to your well-being. Make an effort to escape the concrete jungle routinely and reconnect with nature. Maybe this is a walk or picnic in the park. Perhaps you go for a hiking or camping trip in the mountains. Explore a quiet beach and listen to the sounds of the crashing waves. When you spend time outside and away from the distractions of a city, you start to pay attention to the sights, smells, and sounds around you. By engaging your senses, you are becoming mindful of the present and your surroundings, which is a great starting place and environment to start to turn your gaze inwards.
- Visualize your inner self
Visualization is a powerful tool when conceptualizing your inner self. Whether you are visualizing your future career or life goals, this technique can help develop a deeper understanding of yourself. If you’re needing a bit of guidance in visualizing what this looks like and what the next steps of your journey should be, you might consider doing a tarot reading. Whether it is an in-person reading or an online tarot reading, these cards can clarify certain questions about your past, present, or future self. This centuries-old practice uses strong imagery through cards alongside numerology and astrological horoscopes to conduct fortune telling and perhaps reveal buried knowledge about your inner self.
