Stop Outsourcing your Healing

Often, we look outward for someone to fix us: a partner, a mentor, a therapist, a spiritual guide. And while support is incredibly valuable, the deepest shifts usually come from within. Healing is not something that can be “done to” us; it is something we participate in.

·         No one else can crawl inside our mind and rewrite our patterns.

·         Others can guide, support, and mirror — but we must do the actual inner work.

·         Self-healing is not isolation; it’s responsibility.

·         When we stop outsourcing our healing, we gain power and freedom.

These are some practices that have worked for me, in combination. Find what feels right for you. Start small — maybe with grounding and breathwork — and gradually build a routine that helps you feel more aligned and balanced. (#9 might be useful at the next family or company gathering)

1. Grounding (Earthing)

·         What It Is: Grounding is about reconnecting to the Earth’s natural energy. Our bodies are electrical systems, and the Earth can help balance and neutralize our energy fields.

·         How to Do It: Take off your shoes and stand or walk on natural surfaces like grass, sand, or dirt. Even sitting with your bare feet touching the earth can help restore your energy.

2. Breathwork

·         What It Is: Breathwork involves intentionally controlling your breath to release tension, clear energy blockages, and increase vitality.

·         How to Do It: Practice deep belly breathing, a.k.a. box breathing. Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of 4, hold for 4, and then exhale through your mouth for 4. This helps center your energy and calm your nervous system.  (always helps my kids when they start to spiral)

3. Meditation & Mindfulness

·         What It Is: Meditation helps clear your mind and allows you to tune into your body’s energetic state. Mindfulness helps you observe and release negative emotions that can block your energy flow.

·         How to Do It: Sit quietly for a few minutes each day, focusing on your breath. Visualize a bright light or energy moving through your body, clearing away any stress or negativity.

4. Chakra Cleansing

·         What It Is: Our body has energy centers called chakras. When these become blocked or imbalanced, it can lead to emotional and physical issues. Cleansing them helps restore balance.

·         How to Do It: There are seven main chakras, and each is linked to specific parts of the body. You can meditate on each chakra, imagining it glowing and spinning in balance. Use affirmations to address imbalances. For example:

·         Root chakra (base of spine): "I am safe and secure."

·         Heart chakra (chest): "I am open to giving and receiving love."

5. Energy Clearing (Smudging)

·         What It Is: Smudging is the act of using sacred herbs (like sage, palo santo, or cedar) to clear out stagnant or negative energy from your space and aura. I also sought the help of a Reiki Specialist to guide in an energy cleansing/cord cutting technique.

·         How to Do It: Light the sage or palo santo and move it around your body or space, allowing the smoke to clear any heaviness. As you do this, set an intention to release any negativity.

6. Self-Awareness & Emotional Release

·         What It Is: Often, emotional energy can become stuck in the body, especially if we don’t process or express our feelings. Releasing these emotions is vital to healing energetically.

·         How to Do It: Pay attention to your emotions and how they manifest in your body. If you feel tension, pain, or discomfort in a certain area, it may be connected to repressed emotions. Practice journaling, talking about your feelings, or expressing them through movement like dancing or yoga.

7. Sound Healing

·         What It Is: Sound vibrations can help clear and balance energy. Instruments like singing bowls, gongs, or tuning forks are used to harmonize and restore your body’s natural frequency.

·         How to Do It: You can use sound healing tools like singing bowls or even listen to binaural beats or sound frequencies meant to heal certain chakras or promote relaxation. There are many useful sound apps.

8. Crystal Healing

·         What It Is: Crystals have natural vibrations that can help balance energy. Different crystals are used for different healing purposes.

·         How to Do It: You can carry certain stones, place them under your pillow, or meditate with them. For example:

·         Amethyst: For calming the mind and promoting peace.

·         Rose Quartz: For opening the heart and healing emotional wounds.

·         Black Tourmaline: For protection and grounding.

9. Energetic Boundaries (Aura Protection)

·         What It Is: Learning to protect your energy from others’ emotions or negative energy is essential. You can think of your aura as your energetic “boundary.”

·         How to Do It: Visualize a protective light shield around your body. Imagine it glowing brightly, creating a barrier that only allows positive, loving energy to enter. You can also wear protective crystals like black tourmaline or obsidian.

10. Movement (Yoga, Dance, Stretching)

·         What It Is: Physical movement is essential for freeing stagnant energy and creating a smooth flow of energy throughout your body.

·         How to Do It: Practice yoga, especially poses that open your heart and hips, or engage in freeform dance to release emotions. Even simple stretching can help unblock energy channels.

Helpful people can support and guide us, but we cannot expect them to heal us. True healing is an inside job. Start small. Baby steps become good habits, and good habits rebuild you. You are worth it!