Reader, I walked into my second coffee shop of the day and the smell hit me immediately. Greasy. Like burger meat that had been frying.
I stood there at the counter for a second, heightened to all the noise, and thought: Yeah. No. I can't do this.
So I left.
This happened a few weeks ago. However, just a few years ago, I wouldn't have left. I would have sat down, opened my laptop, and pushed through the noise, the smell, and my body signaling me to go home.
But I didn't push through. I listened to my body. And I left the coffee shop.
It made me think: how did I even get here?
I realized listening to my body started when I went to a breath work class back in early 2019, before the pandemic. I'll never forget my breathing being so much lighter in my chest after the class and throughout the week. Not to mention, feeling calmer and more relaxed.
I thought, "Wow, how have I been breathing all this time? I didn't know my breath could change like this." This experience heightened me to the power of breath and body.
Reader, I didn't immediately dive into breath work after that. But it was the first time I felt a deeper sense of connection between my body and my own awareness of my body.
I gradually got more into meditation and breath work, here and there.
But over the last three years is when I really became intentionally focused on connecting and being more aware of the signals my body was giving me, especially around tiredness and anxiety.
Here are some ways listening to my body has helped me:
Choosing to go on sabbatical - I was on my grandmother's lawn in Jamaica, journaling and asking myself what I wanted. I noticed how relaxed I felt and realized I needed a break, so I decided to go on a sabbatical. My sabbatical is the best gift I've ever given myself that keeps on giving.
The 7-night Buddhist silent retreat in Thailand - This was my biggest and most profound transformation. My mind quieted, I connected to myself and truly fell in love with myself and really liked myself. I slowed down my movements because I realized how much I rushed, and when I am rushing today, I am more aware and slow down.
Noticing when I'm ready to leave - I was hanging out with a friend and they noticed me fidgeting and asked, "Are you ready to go?" And I said yes. I never even knew I did that. Now I am aware.
Sensual massages - I've had a few lately which taught me how important touch is for me and the difference when permission is asked and consent is given.
EFT tapping - This has helped me release emotions and stress that I didn't even realize I was holding in my body.
Here's what I've realized: Technology has sped up the world and we've tried to speed up with it. But you know what hasn't sped up? Seasons. Animals. Our bodies.
Our bodies still operate on a rhythm that the world has forgotten.
Even as a therapist, our programs focus on the brain and emotions rather than the whole body.
So, Reader, if you haven't been listening to your body, don't beat yourself up. This is a practice. And the wisdom is already in you. Your body is talking to you. It's giving you signals all the time.
But here's what I often say: “Your mind can lie to you, but your body will not.”
Your body tells you when you're hungry, thirsty, tired, in pain, that knot in your stomach before you say yes to something. Imagine what other ways it talks to you?
And here's the thing: if you're a high achiever dealing with perfectionism, you've probably been told to push through the pain or suck it up. No one taught you to trust yourself or listen to your body.
But you can start. Reader, this is your permission to begin listening to your body, it's a form of self-trust that builds confidence and aligns you to your truth.
Self-Care Practice:
This week, notice one subtle signal your body gives you. Not hunger or thirst, something else. Tiredness. Tension. Fidgeting. Just notice. And if you can listen to what it’s saying
Journal Prompt:
What is my body trying to tell me that I've been ignoring? What would it look like to trust that signal?
Until Next Time...
Therapist | Speaker | Mentor
