Read Me When You Need Me

Read Me When You Don't Feel Like Yourself

In those moments when you feel disconnected, when the reflection in the mirror seems like a stranger, and the essence of who you are feels just out of reach, I hope these words can serve as a gentle guide back to yourself. It's a disconcerting feeling, to feel alien in your own skin, as if you've lost the thread that ties you to your sense of self. Yet, even in this state of disconnection, there are pathways that lead back to you, to the core of your being and the uniqueness of your spirit.

Acknowledge the Feeling: Begin by acknowledging how you're feeling without judgment or haste to push it away. This acknowledgment is a form of self-compassion, recognizing that it's okay to not always feel like yourself. It's a part of the human experience, a sign of the depth and complexity of our inner lives.

Seek Quiet Reflection: Allow yourself moments of quiet reflection. Sometimes, in the stillness, you can hear the whispers of your inner voice, guiding you back to your core. Reflect on what makes you feel most alive, most authentically yourself. It's in these passions, interests, and simple pleasures that the essence of your spirit often resides.

Connect with Your Roots: Revisit memories, activities, or places that connect you to your roots, to moments when you felt undeniably yourself. This could be looking through old photos, revisiting a hobby you've set aside, or spending time in nature. These roots are a reminder of the continuity of your self, even when you feel adrift.

Express Yourself: Find a mode of expression that feels authentic to you—writing, art, dance, music—and let yourself pour into it without expectation. Creative expression can be a powerful conduit for exploring and expressing the nuances of your identity, for connecting with parts of yourself that have been silenced or overlooked.

Reach Out: Talk to someone who knows you well, someone who has seen you through various seasons of your life. Often, they can reflect back to you the light that you might not see in yourself in moments of disconnection.

Practice Self-Care: Engage in acts of self-care that resonate with you. Whether it's a physical activity that grounds you, a self-care ritual that soothes you, or simply allowing yourself rest, these acts of kindness towards yourself can be steps on the path back to feeling like yourself.

Be Patient: Reconnecting with yourself doesn't happen overnight. It's a journey, one that might require patience and persistence. Allow yourself the time you need to rediscover and reconnect with the different facets of your being.

Embrace Change: Recognize that not feeling like yourself can sometimes be a sign of growth or transition. Who we are is not static; we evolve and change, and sometimes, disconnection is simply a phase in the process of becoming more deeply who we are meant to be.

Feeling disconnected from yourself can be unsettling, but it can also be a call to exploration, a nudge to engage more deeply with yourself and the world around you. It's a journey back to your core, to the essence of who you are—unique, valuable, and irreplaceable.

With empathy and understanding,

Jordan Spring