The Voice Inside
Learning to trust our intuition takes time, while in an environment where we feel safe and supported.
Over the years my daughter has had challenges with sleeping and feeling safe in her own room. We have done many things to help regulate her nervous system and to work through the emotions that come up. Over the past year she’s seen huge improvements on her journey. She began to blossom into an even brighter version of herself. A braver, stronger, more sure of herself young woman, and it’s been so rewarding to watch.
She’s blossomed so much that she’s considered going to a sleepover camp this year with her with dance friends. I couldn’t be more thrilled and proud. Just the idea of her wanting to go was something I dreamed she’d want to do when timing was right.
But the timing for this year was not right. Her dad and I had already planned a trip that would overlap with camp dates, which would leave her to experience her first sleepover camp without us to help her get ready, drop her off, and set her up for success. Going with us at her side would be a huge fete in and of itself. Doable? Yes. For the first overnight camp success? I wasn’t so sure.
We told her it wasn’t out of the question and that we could make it work if she felt like this was something she really wanted. I had her sit with the pros and cons. SO MANY PROS, and although the cons list was shorter - they were playing A REAL HIGH NOTE.
We had a long discussion about how even on paper something that seems like a heck yes can feel differently in our body and the intelligence it holds. So I asked her to check in with herself and see what was coming up.
Do you feel anything any your body? Yes, in my throat
How does it feel? Tight
How does it make you feel? Yucky 0r sick
Have you ever had this feeling before? Yes
When? Sometimes when I know something isn’t right.
So what do you think the answer is for camp? It’s a no.
(This is the shorten version, but you get the idea.)
Then we celebrated (and also felt bummed)! We celebrated because we were honoring her intuition - something that many of us didn't grow up honing (🙋♀️- it’s me). Especially during times when are nervous system is calm, cool, and collected, and we can really tune in. Learning to listen to the intelligence of our body is a skill that takes time and needs a safe environment.
While it was difficult for my daughter to get to this “no” and realize it’s the right choice, there was so much freedom in her own arrival at this destination. The freedom for my husband and me to not just say “no that’s not going to work - end of story.” The freedom for her to own her choice. The freedom to know that she can trust her own voice to guide her even when it bums her out. She may have to wait a little longer for the summer camp to pan out, but instead of just pushing forward to try to make it work, we can walk in next time feeling confident, successful and with a A FULL BODY YES.
This has been a skill that I continue to hone myself. I’ve spent a long time not knowing when to trust that voice inside, and it created debilitating anxiety for a very long time. It’s taken most of my 30s to calm my nervous system and to listen to the deep knowledge I hold.
It was through practices like energy work, meditation, yoga and therapy that I began to come back to myself and feel safe. Many of the items that led me to my own healing are included in the Radiant Ritual packages. Many are ones I continue to use to lean on when I need to soften and tune into my heart, and trust what comes up.
The Next Right Thing Ritual was created with this specific idea. To help build a sacred and safe place, to trust the next guided step. The answers are within all of us. We are our wisest teachers. We just have to practice listening to the right voice - our intuition. Whether we are 10 years old or 80 - it’s never too early or late to start. AND NEVER A MOMENT TOO SMALL WORTH CELEBRATING ALONG THE ROAD! Here’s to sleepover camp in 2024.
