Choice is Power
Aligning Your Choices with Your True Self
When I learned how to align my choices with my true self, my life quickly began to transform. As children, many decisions were made for us: the food we ate, the schools we attended, the places we lived and visited, etc. Ideally, we would gradually be presented with more freedom to make our own choices as we grow older. However, not all of us grew up in secure attachment relationships with our caretakers, so this process might not have occurred so smoothly. My parents, driven by their own fears and insecurities, made choices they believed were in my best interest. While their intentions were good, the result was a childhood where I rarely had the opportunity to explore and make mistakes. This created a sense of dependency and uncertainty that lingered well into my late 20s. Even though I moved out of my parents’ place relatively early, I was still living my life hoping to gain my parents' approval. This co-dependency carried into all my relationships, and because I didn’t know how to fulfill my own needs, people-pleasing became my priority.
Unsurprisingly, this led to intense periods of anxiety and panic attacks. I was unhappy with my life, very angry at my situation, my childhood, people in my life and myself. Being highly sensitive, one of my best traits is the ability for self-reflection and self-healing, and when I had finally done enough complaining and blaming others, I started making small changes in my life. These changes caused a ripple effect and resulted in a huge transformation just a few years later.
Now, when I say that investing 5 minutes in your self-care every day can change your life a few years down the line, I really mean it. Many people tell me, “I’m just not consistent enough,” and believe me, I wasn’t either. Maybe I’m still not, but I fully understand that I never have to play the victim role again because I always have the power of choice. There are no right or wrong decisions, only lessons. Since you can’t control the outcome, it’s best to stay open to it and focus on making the choices that most align with you. For that, you must be in touch with who you are and what your needs are. And that can only be done if you spend time regularly getting to know yourself.
Steps to Harnessing the Power of Choice
Self-Awareness: The first step is understanding your values and what truly matters to you. This requires deep introspection and sometimes painful honesty about my fears and desires.
Small Choices: Start small. Choose to show up for yourself for 10 minutes every day, in whatever way works best for you. These seemingly minor choices will gradually build your confidence and eventually lead to bigger decisions.
Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness will help you stay present, grounded, and focused on the choices at hand, rather than being overwhelmed by the possibilities.
Seeking Guidance: Seek advice from mentors and friends who have made significant choices in their lives. Their insights and experiences might provide valuable perspectives.
Embracing Failure: “Failures” are not setbacks but opportunities for growth. They’re choices you make that don’t align with who you are.
Announcing the 7-Day Choice is Power Challenge
I’m excited to announce an upcoming initiative inspired by my journey—the 7-Day Choice is Power Challenge. Participating in this challenge will truly empower you with choice. Each day, you're presented with multiple yoga and other mindfulness practices, allowing you the freedom to select the one that best suits your mood, energy, and personal intention. It’s your practice, your choice—designed to fit seamlessly into your life and enhance your sense of personal agency.
Each morning, you will receive a bundle of mindfulness practices from which you can choose the ones you want to do that day. Whether you have five minutes to spare or an hour, whether you’re at home, at work, or traveling, you choose which practice(s) fit into your day.
The bundles will include:
A short yoga asana flow
A pranayama or breathwork exercise
A guided meditation
A journal prompt
A tip for creating new habits/healthy routines
Start Date: June 9, 2024
If you’ve been wanting to change something in your life but don’t know where to start, this is it. Join the #ChoiceIsPower Challenge now.
