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Healing is often portrayed as a linear journey: take a step forward, overcome a hurdle, and eventually reach a destination of wholeness. But, for those of you who have begun this journey, you know that the path to healing is rarely straightforward. In fact, it is complex, multifaceted and multilayered. And at the heart of this complexity lies one of the most challenging steps, awareness.
Understanding awareness
The first step to healing is awareness – the step of recognising and acknowledging our emotional and psychological patterns. It often leads to confronting uncomfortable truths about us, our past experiences, and how they shape our present and shape the way we live our life. While this step may seem straightforward, it is often fraught with challenges that can make it the hardest part of the healing journey.
Awareness requires us to face truths that we may have long buried or avoided. These can include painful memories, unresolved trauma, or harmful patterns of behaviour. Confronting these aspects of ourselves can evoke feelings of fear, shame, and so on. For many, it’s easier to stay in denial or distraction than to confront the discomfort of reality.
Recognising the need for healing often implies that something must change in our lives. This change can be daunting. We may fear losing relationships, altering our routines, or stepping into the unknown. This fear can create a resistance to awareness, as it forces us to consider actions that disrupt our comfort zones and ultimately the space in which we have been feeling safe for so long.
Awareness can force us to reevaluate our identities and what feels safe. If our pain has become intertwined with who we think we are, letting go of that pain can feel like losing a part of ourselves. This internal conflict can make it challenging to embrace awareness, as it requires a redefinition of self that can be both frightening and liberating.
With awareness comes a sense of responsibility for our own healing. Acknowledging what no longer serves us means accepting that we have a role in our manifestations. This can be overwhelming, especially if we have relied on external validation or support for too long. Or if we tend to look outside of us to place the blame. Taking ownership of our healing journey can feel like a heavy burden to bear.
Societal norms often discourage vulnerability and emotional expression. Many cultures promote the idea of “toughing it out” or stigmatise mental health struggles. This cultural conditioning can make awareness feel like a radical act. The fear of judgment or misunderstanding can prevent individuals from acknowledging their pain, making it difficult to begin the healing process. It also makes it much easier to continue ‘pushing it away’ or suppressing what needs to change.
How can we move forward despite the challenge of awareness?
Despite these challenges, cultivating awareness is a crucial step in the healing journey. It serves as the foundation upon which transformation is built. Here are a few strategies to help navigate this difficult step:
1. Create a safe space
Establish an environment where you feel secure to explore your thoughts and feelings. This could be through journaling, meditation, or talking with a trusted friend or therapist or practitioner. A safe space allows you to confront your awareness at your own pace. Also surround yourself with people and experiences that are aligned with who you want to be.
2. Practice self-compassion
This isn’t a time for judgement so if you notice the self-criticism come up, just recognise it and let it go. Approach yourself with kindness and understanding as you uncover difficult truths. Recognise that awareness is a process and that it’s okay to take small steps. Self-compassion can ease the fear and shame that often accompany this journey.
3. Allow yourself time
Healing is not a race. As uncomfortable as it may be, awareness is the first step, and you are worthy of taking the time you need to be in this stage – take time to process what you are unpacking. Allow yourself the time to process your feelings and experiences. Rushing can lead to overwhelm so give yourself permission to take it slow.
Awareness may indeed be the hardest step in the healing journey, but it is also the most transformative. By facing our truths, we pave the way for genuine healing and growth. Embracing this challenge with compassion and patience can ultimately lead us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and a more fulfilling life. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—acknowledging where we are is that vital first step.
All my love
Loretta xo
