Journeys Through Healing: Rediscovering Authenticity for Health and Well-being

Clara walked into our session with a noticeable shift in her energy. There was a curiosity about her now, a willingness to dig deeper into her healing. Over the past few weeks, she had started making changes to her diet and routine, but this time, our conversation turned toward something more intangible: authenticity and the power of reconnecting with her true self as part of the healing process.

Aligning with Authenticity for True Health

Clara had been adjusting her diet—adding ginger tea with lemon, celery soup, eggs and raw honey to her mornings. "I feel fuller, and I’m not hungry all the time anymore," she told me. Her body was responding positively to these changes, and it showed in her energy levels. However, healing is rarely just about physical nourishment. Our emotional and mental health is equally tied to how authentically we are living.

I reminded Clara that authenticity—living in alignment with who we truly are—directly impacts our health. When we suppress parts of ourselves, when we ignore our true desires or adapt to fit societal or family expectations, it creates stress. Over time, this dissonance can manifest in the body as physical tension, migraines, and even chronic illness.

Clara had experienced this firsthand. After the rupture of her aneurysm, her body had given her the clearest message that something needed to change. Her healing wasn’t just about recovering from a physical condition—it was about aligning her life with her true nature.

Creativity: A Path Back to Self

As we talked about authenticity, Clara shared how disconnected she felt from the things that once brought her joy. The stress of work and life had pulled her away from the simple pleasures she used to enjoy. I encouraged her to reconnect with her creativity—to rediscover the activities that had once fueled her spirit.

Here’s what I suggested Clara—and anyone—can do to start reconnecting with creativity:

• Reflect on your childhood: What did you love doing when you were between two and five years old? If you can’t remember, ask a family member what you spent hours doing when you were alone. These early activities often reflect our natural ways of finding joy and regulating our emotions.
• Pick up a creative activity: Start small. Whether it’s dancing, painting, writing, or just sitting with your thoughts, engage in something that feels playful and light. Clara chose dance—something that had brought her joy as a child but had since been forgotten.
• Create a sacred space: Carve out 10-15 minutes each day to be with yourself in a creative way. This could be turning on music and moving freely in your living room or picking up a sketchbook to doodle without any expectations. The key is to give yourself permission to play and explore without judgment.

Science backs this up. Creative expression reduces stress hormones like cortisol and boosts dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Engaging in creativity isn’t just about art; it’s about finding outlets that allow us to express and release emotions that might otherwise get trapped in the body.

Listening to the Body's Signals

Clara had been experiencing strange sensations in her body—heat in her right arm, pressure in her head, and occasional numbness. These sensations weren’t constant, but they came in waves, leaving her unsure of what they meant.

Instead of seeing these sensations as something to fight or fear, I guided Clara to approach them with curiosity. “What are these feelings trying to tell you?” I asked. “Do they want to move? Do they want to spread? Or do they want to release?”

This approach—somatic listening—is rooted in the understanding that the body holds onto emotions and experiences. Research shows that engaging with sensations rather than resisting them helps the brain release trapped energy, which can lead to both emotional and physical healing. Here’s a tangible practice for anyone feeling stuck in their body:

• Body scan: Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Begin at your feet and move upward through your body, paying attention to any sensations—warmth, tightness, tingling. Instead of labeling these as "good" or "bad," simply notice them.
• Ask the sensation where it wants to go: If you feel pressure or heat, visualize it spreading out, moving through your body, or dissipating like steam. The goal is to engage with the feeling instead of resisting it.
• Touch your body: If you feel tension in your arm or shoulder, gently touch that area, caress it, or apply light pressure. This act of connecting physically to the sensation can help bring awareness and release.

Clara practiced this during our session and began to realize that the sensations in her body weren’t as threatening as they initially seemed. By engaging with them, she was learning to listen to her body rather than fear it.

Rediscovering Authenticity through Reconnection

As our conversation deepened, Clara reflected on how much her perspective on life had changed since her health crisis. Once heavily focused on her career in finance, she now found herself more drawn to connection and empathy—qualities that had taken a backseat in her previous life.

“I used to be so focused on my success, but now I just want to feel connected—to people, to life,” she admitted.

Her experience of illness had been a wake-up call, prompting her to realign with her authentic self. When we’re living out of sync with who we really are, it creates internal conflict, which can eventually show up as physical stress and health issues. As Clara began to see herself differently, she started to recognize the importance of honoring her true nature—not the version of herself that was driven by external expectations, but the one that was rooted in empathy, creativity, and connection.

Choosing a New Beginning

Before we wrapped up the session, I suggested something that seemed to resonate deeply with Clara. I asked her to consider choosing the date of her last surgery as her rebirth—the day she began her new life. “You are now one year old,” I said, “and it’s important to view your progress through that lens.”

This shift in perspective can change everything. We tend to be hard on ourselves as adults, expecting fast progress and immediate results, especially when it comes to healing. But when we view ourselves as being only one year old, as Clara now was in this new life, we cultivate a different kind of patience and kindness. After a neurological event or major surgeries that require long rehabilitation, it’s as though parts of our bodies are learning how to function all over again, much like a child learning to walk, speak, or navigate the world for the first time.

“We’re naturally more compassionate with children,” I reminded her. “They’re learning, experimenting, and discovering their bodies in new ways. You deserve that same patience with yourself.”

This new perspective would allow Clara to approach her healing with self-compassion—understanding that she was still learning how to navigate this “new” body after her surgeries. Progress wouldn’t always be linear, and that was okay. Just as we wouldn’t expect a one-year-old to know everything, Clara didn’t need to pressure herself to be fully healed or perfectly in control right away. Each small step was progress.

Here’s what I encouraged Clara (and anyone in a similar situation) to do:

• Mark your rebirth date: Choose the date of your last surgery or major health event as your new beginning. Celebrate it as the start of your new life, even if it feels daunting. You’re not just surviving—you’re starting over, with new opportunities for growth.
• Be gentle with yourself: Every time you find yourself frustrated with your progress, remind yourself that you’re only “one year old” in this new phase of life. Approach your healing with the patience and curiosity you’d extend to a child who is learning everything for the first time.
• Celebrate small victories: Just as we cheer for a child’s first steps, celebrate your own small wins, whether it’s regaining movement, feeling a bit stronger, or simply getting through a day with less pain.

Clara left the session with this new perspective on her journey. It wasn’t just about healing from surgery anymore—it was about relearning her body and mind with the same patience and grace we offer to children. She had the tools: creativity, curiosity, and a compassionate view of herself. Now, it was time to apply them.

Stay tuned for the next chapter in Clara’s journey, where we dive deeper into the physical challenges of recovery. In this upcoming article, we explore how everyday activities—like taking a shower—become complex tasks during recovery and how small adjustments, natural remedies, and mindful body awareness can make all the difference in managing energy and well-being.

About My Newsletter

In my newsletter, I share stories of healing, transformation, and practical tools you can apply in your daily life to support your well-being. From posture and breathwork to emotional balance and nutrition, each issue is designed to inspire and guide you on your own wellness journey. Whether you’re looking for ways to manage stress, improve sleep, or deepen your connection to your body, the newsletter offers insights and techniques rooted in both traditional wisdom and modern science.

About My Therapy Practice

As a therapist, my focus is on holistic healing—addressing the body, mind, and spirit to promote deep, lasting wellness. My practice incorporates a blend of modern therapeutic techniques and ancient healing traditions, guiding clients through life transitions, recovery from illness, and emotional challenges. Whether you are seeking relief from physical symptoms or working through emotional healing, I tailor each session to your unique needs, helping you reconnect with yourself and reclaim your health.