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Have you ever found yourself saying “I feel lost”…………

You don’t really know how you got so disconnected but every other strategy you have used in the past to counteract that feeling has been worn out over the years and doesn’t seem to be working anymore. 

Breakups

Grief

Loss of income

Feeling you are not living the life you once thought you would.

You have everything you ever wanted and still feel lost. 

Can be an initial trigger.

From experience, getting to the point of lost is an opportunity to go within.

I’ve sat in many conversations where the subject of “lost” has come up and 99% of those involved in the conversation have agreed that the feeling was there for some time and they just didn’t get around to looking into it further.

New Love

New Job

New House

Holiday

New Friendships

New country/town

Can distract us from our feelings too.

Gabor Maté talks in some of his work about how a lack of authenticity, from childhood experiences and the choices we make regarding attachment dynamics, can contribute to a sense of feeling lost or disconnected in our lives. 

He talks about the suppression of our authentic selves and often the times we can mould ourselves to meet the expectations of others, this tends to be the point of losing touch with our true desires, needs, and emotions.

So the feeling of lost can be in the background lingering for some time before we begin to pay attention to it and witness the cost of not being ourselves.

What is the cost of not being ourselves?

• Lack of fulfilment is very common when we feel lost.
• Emotional Distress, not being ourselves can cause anxiety, depression, constant emotional imbalance
• Strained Relationships, unable to experience true connection
• Missed Opportunities: Not being ourselves can limit our potential and prevent us from seizing opportunities that align with our true passions and talents. 
• Deteriorating Mental and Physical Health, from chronic stress to physical ailments.
  Loss of Self-Identity: Disconnected to any part of ourselves, mainly the body

I think we have all been there when we cringe at ourselves when we try to be something we are not or try to pretend or close down our real selves.

Ultimately, the cost of not being ourselves is a diminished sense of personal fulfilment, happiness, and self-actualisation. Being ourselves allows us to live a life that aligns with our true nature, fostering greater contentment, meaningful relationships, and a sense of purpose.

How can Yoga Practices support us to feel less lost?

Connection to Self – Body

• If our primary reason for feeling lost stems from disconnecting from our authentic selves, reestablishing a connection with our bodies can serve as a pathway to feeling less lost. Using our deep breaths to bring life back into our bodies, allow for the systems to restart so we can start to feel once again, reconnecting us to our desires, values and dreams.  This is not always a quick process and for most takes time, hence the name practice, it is a daily task to re-connect and over time you will reap the benefits with more ease. 

Clarity & Focus – Mind

• In all yoga practices, we get an opportunity to cultivate focus and clarity, allowing us to clear away the mental clutter that entangles us. 
• We get to see beyond the haze of confusion and gain a fresh perspective on our circumstances. As our awareness expands, we begin to recognise that change is not only possible but can arise from within ourselves.

Community – People 

• Being engaged in conscious practices provides a significant advantage and that is being part of a community. Typically, the community is supportive and empathetic, recognising the daily struggles of feeling lost and the desire for gradual transformation in one’s life. Within this community, we find a source of encouragement, inspiration, and guidance, knowing that they are not alone in their journey.

Mindful Conscious Practices – Inner Strength and Resilience – Mind & Body

• Regular yoga practices help build physical, mental, and emotional strength. As we challenge ourselves on the mat, we develop resilience, perseverance, and confidence in our abilities. This inner strength translates into our daily lives, providing a solid foundation to navigate challenges and uncertainties, and reducing the feeling of being lost.
  

Cultivating Acceptance –  Self Compassion – Mind & Body

• Yoga teaches us the art of awareness and acceptance, enabling us to be fully present with our experience, including the discomfort of uncertainty. By embracing the present moment, without judgment or attachment, we develop a deeper sense of compassion and resilience. This mindset empowers us to navigate uncertainty with grace and open-mindedness.
  

Lessons in Trust and Intuition – Body

• Yoga practices foster self-trust and strengthen our connection to our inner wisdom. As we maintain a regular practice, we learn to trust our body’s capabilities, embrace our unique journey, and make choices that are intuitively guided. As we tune in to the subtle cues and sensations within our body during yoga, we develop a heightened sense of trust in ourselves, allowing us to make decisions that are in alignment with our deepest desires and values.

Space to Self-Reflect – Mind 

• Yoga offers dedicated space and time for reflection. Whether it’s through journaling, contemplation during meditation, or moments of stillness in a restorative pose, space is created to explore our thoughts, emotions, and aspirations. This intentional reflection helps us gain insights, process emotions, and uncover the inner guidance needed to navigate the path forward.
  

Whatever your preferred practice, Yoga serves as a supportive practice for the whole body/mind system that helps us feel more grounded and confident in our bodies and being ourselves, even in moments of uncertainty we are able to tap back into the practices to find clarity and alignment. 

This is the light that illuminates the path, reminding us that everything comes from within, and our job is to trust and have faith that we are always guided and always supported.