Have you ever stopped to really ask yourself, “What does it mean to be myself?” It sounds simple, right? But how many of us truly know who we are deep inside?
There is a documentary on Netflix called “My Octopus Teacher.” In one memorable scene, the octopus swims up to a kelp forest to hide from a predator. She reaches out with her eight arms, wraps big kelp leaves around her, and is completely hidden—except for one eye, peeking out to watch carefully. That’s exactly what I’ve done in my life—hidden my true self behind layers of fear and doubt, afraid to look inside.
Now, as I grow older, I’m shedding those layers and uncovering the authentic me. The gift of aging is to discern what truly belongs to me and what beliefs I’ve held on to that no longer serve me.
So, how did I do that?
I stopped searching outside myself for answers. When I turned inward and connected with my inner wisdom, which is always there, I asked myself:
“What is true for me right now? Does the way I live, think, and talk to myself reflect what I really want in life?”
As I challenged these beliefs, I realized many were holding me back—keeping me safe but also stuck. Now, with more life experience, I see how fear stopped me from pursuing what I truly wanted. But with acknowledgment, forgiveness, and acceptance, I’m moving forward with lighter energy, curiosity, and joy.
The first step is awareness.
You can’t change what you don’t notice. A simple practice to start anytime is to pay close attention to how you feel. Notice your body when you’re uncomfortable. Tight muscles? Belly ache? Tension? What emotions are surfacing? At first, this may feel unfamiliar if you don’t usually tune in to your feelings.
Second, write down what you discover. Journaling helps you connect more deeply with your body and emotions.
Third, spend 5–10 minutes daily sitting quietly, focusing on your breath. This helps slow the mind’s chatter so you can listen clearly to your inner self. And don’t worry if your thoughts keep pulling you back in—that’s totally normal. Your mind needs to be gently trained to be quiet, and with practice, it will get easier and easier.
Commit to just 5 minutes a day for 3 days—whether it’s one of the actions above or all three—and see what comes up. You might be surprised by what you discover about yourself.
Whatever you do, do it for YOU—because your authentic self is waiting to be found.
With acceptance, curiosity and joy,
Elaine
