Reclaim Your Whole Self: Exploring the Power of Mindful Self-Intimacy

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Written By Angie Enger

Photo by: I.am_nah, Unsplash

For many people socialized as women, our identities and desires often become interwoven with the relationships we build. We pour our energy into nurturing others, sometimes neglecting the crucial journey of self-discovery and understanding. What if there was a way to reconnect with your essence, separate from external validation? Enter the transformative practice of mindful self-intimacy.

Mindful self-intimacy transcends the limitations of conventional definitions of intimacy. It's not about seeking external validation or fulfillment; it's about cultivating a deep and compassionate connection with yourself. It's about understanding your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations with unwavering curiosity and acceptance.

Think of yourself as a complete ecosystem, teeming with life and potential. Mindful self-intimacy empowers you to become the curator of your own experience. You learn to navigate your inner landscape, recognizing your strengths, vulnerabilities, and desires. This newfound awareness fosters self-compassion, allowing you to navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and grace.

Here are some key ways mindful self-intimacy helps you reclaim your wholeness:

  • Reconnecting with your body: It encourages you to listen to your body's language – the subtle aches, the bursts of energy, the comfort in certain movements. This awareness empowers you to make choices that nurture your physical and emotional well-being.

  • Honoring your authentic desires: We often silence our own needs to prioritize others'. Mindful self-intimacy encourages you to identify your authentic desires, be it taking a solo dance class, pursuing a creative passion, or simply prioritizing quiet time.

  • Embracing your emotional landscape: Our emotions are a compass, guiding us through life. By practicing mindful self-intimacy, you learn to observe your emotions without judgment, understanding their triggers and learning healthy coping mechanisms.

Remember, you are not defined by your relationships, your career, or societal expectations. You are a vibrant ecosystem, worthy of love and exploration. By cultivating mindful self-intimacy, you embark on a journey of self-discovery, reclaiming the fullness of who you are, both within and beyond the context of relationships.

This journey of self-love is a gift you give to yourself, one that empowers you to step into the world with greater authenticity, confidence, and a profound sense of self-worth.

Angie Enger
First things first. Angie is a triplet. She has two sisters, they are not identical, they do get along, no they can’t feel each other’s pain but they’re really good at knowing when something is wrong. Angie was always the curious one, the spirited one, the one who wanted to dye her hair pink or blue or green. Angie grew up wanting to be an archaeologist in ancient Egypt but instead got her Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota in Counseling. She moved to Portland, like all good hipsters do, got a job and a weird haircut. Despite making many beloved friends and adopting a the worlds-best cat she decided to move back where everything felt “right”: Minneapolis. The cat came too, of course. She broke her foot 9 days later. C’est La Vie. She FINALLY dyed her hair bright Ariel red. The day after she met her future husband, who liked her hair pretty well, and her eyes even better, but couldn’t see through his watering eyes around her cat. The things we do for love. Now Angie uses her empathy and relationship building skills to do social media and content strategy for Betty Crocker. Yes, she loves baking (from scratch), red lipstick and doo-wop but also Scandinavian minimalism, wearing all black and Viking metal. She lives in an oh-so-cute duplex in South Minneapolis with her terribly dapper husband. Her hair is black again, for now. She is a vegetarian by necessity, but hates tofu. Her favorite place in the world is Iceland (an introvert’s paradise) and her favorite cheese is mostly any kind baked on bread.
angieenger.com
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