In a world filled with many external influences that often dictate your life’s directions, self-empowerment it’s like a lighthouse that guides you towards choosing your own way and finding your inner strength.
It’s the essence of taking control of your life, having the courage to grab the sail in your hands amidst the vast ocean of possibilities, and choosing a path that resonates with your deepest desires and aspirations.
Join me on this exploration of self-empowerment, where we claim our power, shape our destiny, and unlock the limitless potential within each of us.
If you don’t choose your own way, someone else will do it for you
That’s where the problem of following someone else’s path begins.
It’s very easy to get lost because there has been so much noise since we were young, telling us how we should be living our lives and what’s best for us. We must follow our parents’ rules to receive their support and care.
Soon enough, we will have to choose what we want to study and which career to pursue. We are still struggling to figure out who we are, and we are already pressured to choose, at this young age, which path we want to follow in the next few years.
How many of us were so clear on which way to go?
Some thought they knew, but those ideas didn’t come from their heads. They were just conditioned to believe it.
No wonder we usually choose the practical direction suggested by our caregivers.
Do you want to be a doctor, engineer, or lawyer?
If our parents grew up during times of scarcity, they believed the best for us was to have stable and well-paid jobs so we wouldn’t have to struggle as they did.
Those decisions are not easy, because they will influence the direction of our lives for many years ahead, and we are afraid to make them.
Often any decision, even the wrong decision, is better than no decision.
Ben Horowitz
A few brave souls will have the courage to drop out of university when they find it unfulfilling, but many more will decide to continue because they fear their parents won’t support them anymore (a common threat). It’s comfortable and delays the time they will need to stand on their own two legs.
And then life happens, and with our degree, our path is perfectly aligned.
TIME TO BE A GOOD EMPLOYEE
Now, it’s just to land a nice job, which means following more rules about how to behave to fit in.
It gets pretty heavy.
So now we are the perfect child, trying to be the perfect employee, adding a perfect marriage, perfect parenting, etc. It would make one crazy!
Just be a little bit of this and that so everyone around us is happy.
Do you still wonder why you feel this way?
I also have good news for you!
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO GRAB THE SAIL AND CHOOSE YOUR OWN WAY
Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world, it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.
Mae Jemison
If we never took the time to be with ourselves—to be with our thoughts and reflect on our desires—during all those years, we will continue walking on a path that’s not meant for us.
Have you ever wondered why there is a midlife crisis? Why are we so stressed, experience burnout, or create health problems? The body keeps the score!
I encourage you to prioritise solitude if you feel like something is off.
It’s never too late to choose your own way! Cut down on distractions and reconnect with yourself. Wake up the curiosity of a little child. What do you like? What makes you curious? Are there any dreams you used to have?
People will question what’s happening to you
Yes, there will be some resistance from those who brought you here. They will find it strange when you begin to ask for what you want and resist their suggestions, mainly when they are used to the fact that you have never made any waves.
If you still don’t understand, I will remind you again.
It’s your life, and it’s time you reclaim it!
Right now, I accept full responsibility for everything in my life. This will be the defining moment as we begin to sail our chosen way, which resonates deeply with ourselves.
Self-empowerment isn’t merely about making choices; it’s about owning them, embracing the responsibility that comes with freedom, and daring to navigate the journey of self-discovery with unwavering courage.
WHERE THE OLD ENDS AND THE NEW BEGINS
When I was little, I had plenty of time to be with myself, which gave me a lot of space to notice my thoughts and make my own decisions. This was especially true since I didn’t receive much help from my parents, which was great as there was no pressure from their side about who I should become.
I waited for my 18th birthday to take complete control over my life and choose my direction.
Easy times create weak people. Challenging times create strong people.
Tony Robbins
I didn’t know which direction to go; all I knew was that there must be something more than I could see right now. I knew what I didn’t want to accept for my life, which was enough.
That’s what kept me going!
You don’t need to have all the answers right now. Only time will show you the bigger picture you can’t see yet. Have faith that it will all work out, choose your own way and enjoy the journey!
One step at a time. You got this!
With love,
Mili
