I sometimes find myself avoiding what's happening within me. Even though I know I need to face my feelings, thoughts, and inner struggles, I often procrastinate, finding distractions to delay that confrontation. It’s easier to stay busy or focus on external things than to dive into the uncomfortable truth of what’s really going on inside. There’s a resistance to facing the emotions or thoughts I’ve been pushing aside, perhaps out of fear of what I might find or simply because it feels overwhelming. But deep down, I know that in order to heal and move forward, I have to stop avoiding myself. I have to pause, sit with those feelings, and give them the attention they need. It's a lesson I keep relearning—the more I avoid dealing with myself, the longer I stay disconnected from my own peace and growth. It's tempting during times of challenge, fear, worry, or pain abandoning the very place that holds the most peace and healing, but I know deep inside that instead of looking outside for answers and distractions I need to return home, to ground myself in the safe space within me
But why is it so hard to come back? Because, over time, we may have accumulated so much pain, fear, and unresolved emotions within us and our inner home becomes a place we avoid, afraid to face what we might find there. We fear that if we walk through the door, we'll be met with uncomfortable memories or feelings. And so, we stay away, disconnected from the very source of our strength and healing.
It’s important to recognize that this avoidance is natural. In moments like these, we must have compassion for ourselves. It’s okay to feel scared or hesitant to return to that space. After all, healing is not always a linear or easy process. It's messy, emotional, and often uncomfortable. But true healing begins with acknowledging the fear and taking the first step back home, even if it's small.
One of the simplest ways to begin the journey back to ourselves is by reconnecting with our breath. Becoming aware of the steady rhythm of each inhale and exhale grounds us in the present moment. To create a doorway back to our inner home it's also helpful to focus on the sensations in our body—the way our muscles feel, the tension we might be holding, or even the softness of the ground beneath our feet. Noticing the environment —the gentle rustling of the trees, the warmth of the sun, or the sounds of life happening nearby—can also help us to reconnect with the world outside, while bringing us closer to the peace within.
Ram Dass once said, "We are all just walking each other home." This beautifully captures another important aspect of finding our true home—it's not something we do alone. Along the way, we meet friends, teachers, and family who walk with us, helping us reconnect with ourselves. In the process of nurturing our own well-being, we also learn to care for others, supporting them as they, too, find their way back to their inner home.
That’s why practicing yoga in a class can be so much more powerful than practicing online. In a shared space, we become part of a community that is united by the desire to heal and grow. We see that we’re not alone on this journey, and there’s something deeply comforting and inspiring about moving, breathing, and evolving alongside others with the same intention.
As we embark on this journey back to ourselves, let’s work on creating an inner home that feels safe and cozy. Just like we’d tidy up and decorate a physical home, we can nurture our inner space by bringing in practices that promote love, gentleness, and self-acceptance. Whether through meditation, yoga, or simply sitting with our emotions or connecting with nature, these practices help to clear the clutter and restore peace within.
Returning to our true home isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a sanctuary within ourselves where we can feel at ease, no matter what storms may be raging in the most superficial territories of our being or outside us. When we finally step back inside, at the center of our being, we may find that this home—though it may need a little repair—is still the most loving, supportive space we could ever inhabit. And it’s always here, ready to welcome us back, whenever we choose to return.
