Disclaimer: I am dedicated to sharing the resources that helped me on my personal healing journey, but this does not replace medical advice. At the end of this article is a list of books that are my recommended MUST READS for anyone on a self-healing journey. The book links are affiliate links so please be mindful that as an Amazon affiliate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Your support helps me provide information like this for FREE to amazing people all around the world who do not have access to mental health resources. We Thank You!

My Self-Healing Journey ( Brief Story)

The goal of my healing journey was to fall in love with myself and live a life aligned to my values, not someone else’s. 

Hey, Let me tell you a story…

13 years ago I looked in the mirror and saw a high school dropout with a failed military career, who was a single mom raising two kids under 2. I was struggling to find affordable housing and a decent job. I was so desperate I had to go on Facebook Freecycle groups and ask for free diapers and food. I was done with living this type of life so I moved back home, signed up for welfare, and began my self-healing journey.

Fast forward to now, I am a graduate student, a suburban homeowner, and financially secure to provide for my boys.

Now my healing wasn’t an easy path, I had many traumas to heal from so there were many ups and downs. But I must say, taking that time out of my life to focus on improving myself and embarking on a healing phase of self-discovery was one of the best choices I ever made. 

There were personal moments of deep introspection, long periods of isolation, transformation, and self-healing in these four areas: Mental, Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional.

Now I can’t go over everything in 1 article ( that’s why I have other articles you can read afterward) but this article will empower and encourage you if you’re on or considering starting a self-healing journey.

What is a Self Healing Journey?

A self-healing journey is what I’d call a sacred time of transformation and renewal. 

Just as the seasons change and the flowers bloom, we too must go through periods of growth and change. 

During a self-healing journey, aka a healing phase, we focus on nurturing ourselves and our spirits, allowing ourselves the time and space we need to heal from various wounds we experienced in life.

Your healing phase can be as short or as long as you need it to be. Healing is about renewal and integrating the lost and hurtful parts of yourself.

Purpose Of A Self Healing Journey

A healing journey or healing phase is an important time to recover physically, emotionally, or mentally to feel like yourself again….or for the first time.

Here are a few examples of why someone might choose to start a self-healing journey in life:

• Learn to rebuild an identity

• Heal trauma

• Reconnect with self

• Contemplate life/spirituality

• Grieve a loss or death

• Recover from an injury

Starting A Self-Healing Journey

When starting a self-healing journey consider it like setting sail into uncharted waters. It requires courage, patience, and a whole lot of self-love. Which is easier said than done, am I right?

The path is about acknowledging that healing isn’t linear; it’s a spiral, where you’ll find yourself revisiting old wounds but with new wisdom.

Acknowledge Your Starting Point

The first step on this voyage is to recognize where you are right now. It’s okay to feel lost, hurt, or even a bit resistant to the journey ahead. These feelings are your starting point, not your destination. By acknowledging them, you’re already taking a brave step forward.

Before I share some tips, keep in mind that healing is not a linear process, and yes friend, it will be challenging at times. 

But with each step you take, you are growing stronger and more resilient. You are blossoming into the beautiful, powerful person that you were always meant to be. 

So trust yourself and embrace your healing phase with an open heart and a willing spirit. 

The rewards will be beyond measure. 💜

4 Major Areas To Focus on During Your Healing Journey

During a healing phase, there are several things that you can focus on to improve your spiritual physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Here are some specific things to focus on to ensure a faster recovery. You got this!

1. Healing Journey and Mental Health

Taking care of your mental health can prevent or manage mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.

I recommend consulting with a licensed therapist or a trusted coach for serious issues. Although I’m sharing a lot of information with you, and a therapist in training, this information isn’t medical advice. 

But, the good news is that you can do some mental healing on your own. Here are some mental healing tips to utilize on your self-healing journey:

1. Identify your mental struggles and areas that need improvement, or…

2. Take a positive psychology approach that does not focus on your problems but focuses on your strengths.

You can read more about Improving Your Life and Mental Health through Positive Psychology in an article I wrote here but essentially, you want to focus on these 5 things:

• Increase Positive Emotions
• Engage in Activities that Promote Flow
• Have Meaningful relationships
• Make More Meaning in Life
• And Set and Achieve Realistic Goals

This video highlights the PERMA model in Positive Psychology (it was a class assignment so its a bit formal)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzQMsleeViU

2. Emotional Healing Tips 

If you’re emotionally healing, you’re probably going to cry…a lot. 

Emotional healing isn’t fun nor is it easy. Emotional healing is very different from mental healing because emotional healing is not always rational or logical. 

Emotional healing is also important for anyone on a self-healing journey because it helps process difficult experiences. Whether it’s dealing with the loss of a loved one, a breakup, or a traumatic event, emotional healing can help you move forward and find closure. 

Here are some tips to help you emotionally heal:

Increase Your Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence is defined as: “the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.”

Boring! 

In sort of simpler terms…it means:

1. being aware of your emotions ( How are you feeling right now?)
2. being open to expressing your emotions (What do your emotions make you want to do?)
3. correctly identifying your emotions (what caused your emotion?)
4. all while respecting other people’s emotions. (did your emotions hurt others?)

Ta-da! Look at that I just saved you hours of therapy, not to mention money. Speaking of money did you know the higher your emotional intelligence the more fulfilling and purpose-filled life you will have? 

So now that you know about emotional intelligence let’s put it into practice through journaling.

Start Jounraling

Jounraling is a great way to express your emotions and make sense of them. All you have to do is write down what you’re feeling or thinking. Heres an example:

You can learn about Journaling for Self Discovery through this Blog Post. Or You can learn to create a Personal Mandala through Jungian Art Therapy in this article. 

Finding Closure and Letting Go

It’s essential to address and process difficult experiences and find closure so that you can let go and find inner peace.

Emotional healing is the heart of your journey. It involves facing those deep-seated feelings, maybe even from years past, and giving yourself permission to process and release them. It’s not about forgetting but about forgiving—yourself and others.

3. Spiritual Healing Journey Tips

When you’re on a self-healing journey it’s most likely you’ll reevaluate your spiritual beliefs. This is actually a good thing because this helps you create more meaning in your life. 

Creating a more meaningful life and having a sense of purpose is not a selfish desire but an actual human need. (According to psychology, it is the highest goal one can strive for)

This is a great time to explore your childhood upbringing, cultural beliefs, and any religious beliefs you feel aligned with. This is a time for you to define your relationship with your God, and your Higher Self, and even let go of belief systems that you no longer resonate with.

Here are some things to focus on when you’re spiritually healing:

• Read spiritual texts that appeal to you
• Practice mediation
• Go to local spiritual services
• Volunteer or donate items you no longer need

In my philosophy, spirituality is individuality so explore different paths and practices if you need to.

4. Physical Healing Journey & Body Connection

Reconnecting with your body can be a beautiful experience. 

Your body is capable of doing amazing things without your effort, so imagine what it can do with a little effort from you. Especially effort directed toward healing.

Physical healing is necessary for the body to recover from injury or illness. This can include rest, physical therapy, and medication to speed up recovery. Focusing on your body’s natural healing process can be a great way to honor and understand it.

The ability to understand your body helps you to understand its needs and signals, improve your ability to manage stress, and promote a greater sense of overall harmony and balance. 

Sure, it may be emotional at times, and mentally difficult to embrace your perceived flaws. But stop for a moment and really appreciate what your body does for you. 

Here are a few tips on how to connect deeper with your body:

Mindfulness

Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and fully engaging with your body’s sensations.

 To practice mindfulness in your body, all you have to do is to bring your attention to your body, noticing any sensations or feelings you are experiencing without judgment. This can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths or focusing on any tension/relaxation you may feel.

 Body Scan Meditation

A body scan meditation involves systematically focusing on each part of your body and noticing any sensations or feelings you experience. Starting at your feet and working your way up to the top of your head, take the time to notice any tension, discomfort, or other sensations you experience.

If youre interested in mindful eating tips, Read this article here. 

Physical Activity

Exercise can be a great way to connect with your body, as it allows you to tune into your physical sensations and become more aware of your body’s abilities and limitations. 

You don’t need to engage in strenuous exercise or be super fit. A short walk or starting with a gentle yoga practice can help you to physically reconnect with your body.

Allow yourself to take baby steps with physical improvement if you find it challenging. 

Reconnecting with your body isn’t about having a hot bod to post to Instagram, it’s about being comfortable in your own skin while exploring what your body does.

BioFeedback

Imagine having a direct line of communication with your body, where you can manage how you feel, respond to stress, and promote healing from within. 

Biofeedback opens this channel, allowing you to tune into your body’s signals and learn how to adjust your physical sensations for better health. It’s like having a conversation with your body where you pay attention to the signals it’s sending you. 

For example, this communication can come through feelings of hunger, thirst, fatigue, and pain. Try to tune into these signals and respond to them in a way that honors your body’s needs. 

This might involve taking a break when you feel tired, eating when you’re hungry, or stretching or deep breathing when you feel tense.

Remember, connecting with your body is a process that takes time and practice. So please be patient with yourself.

Books That Changed My Life on My Self Healing Journey

1. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay – This book is a reminder that healing isn’t all about self-improvement but self-acceptance.
2. Love Yourself, Heal Your Life Workbook by Louise Hay – A companion and guide to You Can Heal Your Life.
3. No Matter What!: 9 Steps to Living the Life You Love by Lisa Nichols – Her personal stories are motivating for any woman, but especially for women of color.
4. Codependent – Now What? It’s Not You – It’s Your Programming by Lisa Romano – A must-read for the people pleaser or the overly nice guy or girl.
5. Emotion Code: How to Release Your Trapped Emotions for Abundant Health, Love, and Happiness by Dr Bradley Nelson- Easily identify and release trapped emotions in your body.
6. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle – Easy read that highlights the importance of the present moment. Great book for grounding trauma!
7. Unfuck Your Brain: Getting Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers with Science (5-Minute Therapy) by Dr. Faith Harper – A fun and get real approach for anyone diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders.
8. Aligning with the Divine: Finding Your Power, Passion, and Purpose Through Self-Awareness and Self-Love by Chantelle Renee – A great read for any spiritualist interested in energy healing or who wants to connect to the collective.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you found this article enlightening on your self-healing journey. Check out these recommend blog posts for more self-discovery!