Nurturing self-love means recognizing and growing a deep connection with my authentic self.
Nurturing love towards others means recognizing and growing deep connections with the authentic self of others.
2017 was a year of hurricanes.
While Harvey, Irma, and Maria created one of the most catastrophic seasons ever recorded, I felt the same chaotic winds blow right through my personal life. Within the span of a few months, I parted ways with my business partner, and my 7 year romantic relationship came to an amicable but no less painful end. I had come to see these two special people as part of my own identity, and without their anchoring presence, I was suddenly adrift and very much alone.
After months of being tossed about in the emotional aftermath, I finally settled into my new place. With my feet on solid ground again, I was surprised to find that I was still in one piece, and maybe even a bit hardier. In fact, I felt eager anticipation about the blank page of life in front of me. I had complete freedom to fill it with whatever I wanted, but what exactly did I want?
I created the painting above as I visualized my intention for the next year. What surfaced was the desire to live a more authentic life, which meant embracing my unique way of being, living unapologetically by my values, and prioritizing my own wellbeing. To do so, I needed to develop a stronger sense of self - something I struggled with due to my tendency of moulding myself to others.
I knew that I had to see and do things differently, and so began my explorations. I asked a lot of hard questions, which led to conversations with many wise friends and mentors, book recommendations, and experiments. Below is the list of reflections, practices, and resources that have had the most impact on me so far. I am still figuring out what it means to live a more authentic life, but I have already noticed a significant shift in myself - a deeper sense of fulfillment, stronger relationships, and flowering creativity. I hope that this will be a helpful reference to those of you on a similar path.
A visual story of how we find our way back home
A visual meditation on slowing down and reconnecting with self and others