Sometimes, winter can last a whole year. In this episode, Elise returns to Returning Home: The Podcast after an almost year-long hiatus. In it, she discusses where she went in 2022 and what lessons she learned along the way. If you’re looking for insight into why it’s ok to take a sacred pause, what to do when you’re feeling burned out or how to be present in your life, you will want to listen to this episode.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

  1. Learn how you can align your identity with your actions.
  2. Discover the secret to being in the present moment.
  3. Feel into how you can be the main character in your own life.

Resources

Episode Highlights

[01:28] Going Inward to Recharge

  • 2022 was a year-long winter.
  • Back from a year away from podcasting.
  • Lessons learned from taking a break.
  • More movement can happen after taking a retreat away from work.

[02:33] Staying Sober for Another Year

  • People are wanting to hear more about sobriety from me.
  • This habit is replaced with other habits.
  • Having the clarity to see that other habits like eating sweets might need to be addressed.
  • Identifying myself as a non-drinker on a subconscious level makes not drinking easier.
  • I’m not involving decision fatigue in not drinking.
  • Mindset work has made staying sober from alcohol easier.

[07:35] Cross Country Road Trip

  • Had some “dark nights of the soul” moments on my trip.
  • Rethink your routines, identity, and allow yourself to do something a little different.
  • Let yourself evolve by doing something that scares you.
  • Asking myself- what am I waiting for? The present moment is the only thing that matters.
  • It’s your responsibility to make your life what you want it to be.
  • How you think about yourself and how you want to live your life affects the quality of your life.
  • Wherever you go there you are. You can’t actually escape yourself.

[12:52] Healing in 2022

  • Some healing modalities I employed were therapy, massage, Reiki, chiropractor, sauna, floatation therapy and more.
  • Aligning the body, mind and spirit to be the best version of myself.
  • The human experience necessitates the body.
  • Returning Home to having a body and enjoying the ride.
  • Immersing myself in love for myself- what does that feel like?
  • Teaching Breathwork classes at Bod Wellness Collective and TAOU Studio.
  • 2 retreats this year: one with my therapist and one weekend long silent retreat.

[19:06] Friend Breakups

  • 2022 saw the breakdown of community for me.
  • If you’ve ever been through a friend breakup, you know how they can consume our mental space.
  • This caused me to pull away a lot last year.
  • Also had worked with a business coach that was not a good experience and sent me into a withdrawal mode of 2022.

[21:09] Feeling Better

  • On this side of things in 2023, I am feeling a lot better about the experiences I had last year.
  • Knowing that other people can relate to feeling disappointed or betrayed by people is comforting.
  • Non-attachment can help us make these situations feel better to us.
  • People are the main characters in their own lives and they get to choose how they show up.

[22:50] Energy Protection

  • Protecting myself from my own negative thoughts has been necessary.
  • I don’t have control over what other people choose to do or not do.
  • I can focus my energy on my life and what I can do to make my life better.
  • Thank you to my friend Ashley who inspired me to get back to the podcast!
  • We have to be the main character in our own life- other people can’t be the main character in our lives.
  • Quieting the outside noise and focusing on yourself can help you figure out what’s yours to do.

[25:29] Exciting Things in 2023

  • My partner and I got engaged on our cross country roadtrip home!
  • Published a journal on Amazon (get yours here!)
  • The podcast coming back.
  • I started taking voice lessons.
  • Figuring out my work to do.

[26:24] It’s Ok To Change

  • I usually have a hard time letting myself change.
  • Realizing it is ok to change, even in front of other people.
  • We get to make up our own rules.
  • You don’t have to wait until things feel perfect to show up and take action.
  • Give yourself and other people permission to not be perfect. Your definition of perfection might even change.
  • You can know who you are and be flexible at the same time.

[29:17] Return Home To Yourself, Enjoy Being You

  • The world will be a better place if you have compassion for yourself and be your true self.
  • In Internal Family Systems, they call it being Self-led. Being your true authentic self.
  • I want to be part of the movement to help people feel like they can be Self-Led.

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Have any questions or lightbulb moments? I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to hit me up on Instagram or send an email at elise@elisekindya.com.

Thank you so much for listening! For more episode updates, visit my website.