Expressing Ourselves this September
This month we are giving ourselves permission to start OR continue to express ourselves. Not in a loud or performative kind of way, but instead connecting quietly to our true selves and learning to bring that voice out in the open.
This might be the self that you bury sometimes, silence in certain situations or compromise on to make others feel more comfortable. Maybe you’ve had an idea percolating for a while but been a bit fearful to voice it or take action. Maybe you want to start being more creative or kick off a new hobby.
Whatever place you are coming from this month we are learning that it’s ok to be who we are, it’s ok to step into our power, it’s ok to have a voice, feelings, desires, ideas AND share them outside of ourselves.
This can be a really scary theme, because expressing yourself externally is a vulnerable thing to do! The Western world tells us that certain opinions are right or wrong- that we are good people or bad people based on a thought. If like me, you don’t enjoy conflict then a lot of the time it’s easier to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself to avoid the backlash from sharing how you really feel…more on my journey here in a sec.
BUT my friends, I’m here to tell you that your truth is your truth and it’s ok! It will and is allowed to be different to others. As long as we approach situations and people with kindness and integrity then there can be nothing harmful with expressing ourselves.
So, to help us navigate this in class this month we are working with two yogic ideas.
The first is a concept called Satya – truthfulness. In this instance we are translating it to mean, what is true for me? That can be as deep as “who am I” all the way through to “what do I want to eat today”.
The second is working with our throat chakra (Vishuddha). This is the energy centre in our bodies that works with externally expressing ourselves and communicating what needs to be said. It helps us to align our internal voice with our external voice. In essence, how I can express my truth with kindness and ease.
We will be working with postures and breathwork that enable us to connect to our truth and then find our voice.
I’m excited!
My story to expressing myself
This is a multi-layered and on-going journey for me.
On one hand I have always been amazing at expressing myself. I know who I am and what I stand for and have done for as long as I can remember. I’m not afraid to be vulnerable and share how I’m feeling or my experiences and I’ve always been very confident in just being “me”. Probably not a shocker for those who know me well!
However, like all personalities we have duality, right. I also have an innate desire to make people feel happy and avoid conflict. This has meant that despite my confidence in expressing myself and knowing WHO I am, often I struggle to share my feelings in times when I think it might hurt other people’s feelings, make them feel guilty OR start an argument.
I have always known this about myself but hadn’t appreciated how much it was affecting me until I hit burn out at work.
Frankly, I wasn’t standing up for myself. I thought I was, but I was letting workplace bullies roll over me because it was better than getting into conflict- and I was afraid of the conflict. I was compromising all the time, putting myself into all sorts of difficult situations, doing more work than I should have been …. all because I felt I had to make peace with people who were honestly… just mean.
After time in therapy – because yes, this sent me to therapy… I realised that I didn’t need these people to like me, I just needed them to do their job. So, I stopped being amenable. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t go into all out battle… I was still me, led with kindness and respect, but if I didn’t agree I would say so.
Soon, I noticed things start to shift. I felt so much more at peace with myself and around these people. I knew I could hold my own and be completely me. They didn’t like me, but that was ok because they did respect me and I was still leading with my morals – kindness.
A couple of years on from all of this… I’m still learning more about how I navigate expressing myself. Now, I understand that by sharing my feelings, thoughts, ideas and opinions it’s allowing me to step more fully into my own power. It’s allowing me to align my inner and outer voices so I’m living in total harmony with who I am. It’s honestly so freeing.
I’m still very much learning to express myself with my friends and family… my instinct is to hold in feelings of upset or disagreement so that I don’t end up upsetting them BUT I now know that’s not helping anybody… so I actively share my feelings but try to do it in the kindest way possible. You may even hear me say things like “are you open to my thoughts” or “are you ok for me to be honest”…. That’s me preparing you haha!!
Anyway it’s a journey, as all of these things are… but it’s always worth it!
Wellness Activity
This month we are going to reflect and “Let it out”.
Sit down with your journal, or just a pen and paper and take some time to think….
1. What is something I've been thinking or feeling lately that I haven't expressed?
2. What am I worried might happen if I express it?
3. What would expressing it in a way that feels kind, honest and true to me look like?
From here is there a tiny action you could take…if you want to?
Something like…
telling someone what you actually want to do
sharing an idea you've been keeping to yourself
saying no to something that doesn't feel right
asking for what you need
sharing a creative idea
Remember my friends, expressing yourself doesn’t mean “no filter”, but it does mean “not silencing yourself” and feeling free to express yourself if you choose to.
I’m excited for you to join me this month.
See you on the mat
Love, Tash xx
