There comes a point where you realize something has shifted… and you’re not quite sure how to reconnect with yourself again. Maybe the rhythms you’ve created are no longer serving you. Maybe the things that used to bring you enjoyment now feel out of reach. Or perhaps the people you once felt connected to don’t feel like your people in the same way anymore.
And you’re left wondering: What now?
When Life Shifts, It’s Natural to Feel Disconnected
In this season of life, it is very natural to feel disconnected — from yourself and sometimes from others too. This is not a failure. And it’s not something you need to fix right away.
There can be pressure — from within or from those around you — to figure it out quickly. To get clarity. To make changes. To bring back the energy and sense of purpose you once had.
But what I’ve found, both personally and in my work, is that what’s actually needed first is something much quieter:
awareness.
Begin by Noticing
Instead of rushing to solve the problem, begin by gently noticing:
- What has shifted?
- How does that feel?
- What do I miss?
- What am I longing for?
- What would I like more of?
- What would I like less of?
This kind of awareness is powerful. It’s like turning the dial on a radio to find the music (and yes — I can use that metaphor with you 😊). The music may have changed. The songs may now be softer, slower, more subtle.
It’s okay to sit with that for a while and simply listen.
Small Ways to Reconnect With Yourself
As you begin listening, you might want to:
- Notice what gives you energy (and what drains you)
- Revisit what used to matter to you
- Create small pockets of space in your day
- Pay attention to what you’re naturally drawn toward
- Let curiosity lead instead of pressure
These are not big steps — and they’re not meant to be. They are simply ways of beginning to reconnect.
Gathering the Pieces of Yourself Again
When I was in a season of feeling disconnected, I realized I had dropped pieces of myself along the way. It felt like I was carrying a backpack filled with parts of who I had been — things I cared about, ways I used to show up, parts of myself I hadn’t engaged in a while. In order to sort through it, I had to take everything out. Then, slowly, I began picking things up one by one — asking myself:
Do I want to carry this forward into my next chapter?
A Small Step That Made a Big Difference
One piece I’ve recently picked up again is community. I’ve had close friendships through the years — good, steady relationships that have supported me through change. But I hadn’t been part of a broader community in a long time. And I started to realize… I missed that. Last fall, a friend invited me to join a contemplative group. I was interested — and a little hesitant. But I started showing up. And over time, it has become a space where I feel safe to learn, grow, speak up, and create again — all parts of myself I had set aside for a while.
You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
That one small step toward community has had ripple effects in other areas of my life, and that’s often how this works. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. One small step toward something you need or long for can begin to bring you back to yourself.
A Gentle Invitation
If you find yourself in this season — sorting through what still fits and what doesn’t — you don’t have to do it alone. If you’d like support as you unpack your “backpack” and reconnect with what matters most in this next chapter, I would be honoured to walk alongside you.