Once upon a time, you were a beautiful, happy, vibrant soul. Life slowly shaped and changed you, and before you knew it, the very essence of who you were started to fade. Every interaction and life change chipped away at your dreams and the person you once were. Somewhere along the way, you may have lost—or forgotten—who you are.
Remember Your Teenage Years
Your teenage years are the core of self-discovery. You had:
- Hopes and dreams
- Freedom and adventure
- A sense of excitement for life
Then adulthood arrived—marriage, careers, kids—and suddenly you were no longer just yourself. You became:
- A mother or father
- A spouse
- A daughter or son
- A coworker
Slowly, the real you begins to fade. One day, you wake up and don’t recognize the person staring back in the mirror. You forget your likes, your passions, and your dreams.
“Life doesn’t have to mean taking a back seat just because you’ve taken on passengers.”
Life Paralysis: When Roles Take Over
When the only thing you know how to do is play your roles, you enter life paralysis. Signs include:
- Robotic routines
- Putting your needs last
- Feeling burned out or depressed
Fast forward—kids move out, leaving an empty nest, and your identity may be reduced to your spouse or your job. Retirement comes, and your purpose may feel smaller than ever.
Why Reclaiming Yourself Matters
Holding on to—or rediscovering—who you are through life’s phases is critical because:
- Life is meant to be fun
- We are meant to have purpose, goals, and dreams
- Without these, we live on repeat, numb and robotic
It’s normal to feel fear or resistance when stepping out of familiar roles. Doubt and “what ifs” are normal—but growth never happens in your comfort zone.
Reconnect With Your Inner Child and Teenager
Think back to what made you feel alive. Watch out for phrases like:
- “I used to paint…”
- “I used to play guitar…”
- “I used to write…”
Stop using “used to.” Start saying:
- “I write.”
- “I play guitar.”
- “I go to karaoke nights with my friends.”
Shift from “I wanted to” to “I want to”:
- “I want to travel.”
- “I want to learn to dance.”
- “I want to be a firefighter.”
And then… start doing it!
Simple Steps to Get Started
Here’s how you can start reclaiming yourself today:
- Take 10 minutes a day to do something just for you.
- Revisit an old hobby or interest, even if it’s only 15 minutes.
- Write down three things that made you happiest as a teen, and find ways to bring them back into your life.
- Share your journey with a friend, group, or online community. Surround yourself with people who cheer on the real you.
“Reconnecting with yourself isn’t a one-time project. It’s a journey. Some days you’ll feel alive, some days you’ll stumble—but every step is a step back to you.”
Life Is Meant to Be Lived
The fastest way to pull yourself out of life paralysis? Remember who you were, and start being that person again.
That living, thriving, inspiring person lives inside of you, waiting to be let out.
Let me out!
The only thing holding you back? You.
A New Era Therapy 