Coming Home to Yourself

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what “coming home to yourself” really means. I use the phrase all the time, but knowing something in theory and actually embodying it are different things.

I asked to understand, and in its usual way, life gave me a chance to practice. Recently, I’ve felt “on fire”—not the inspiring or energizing kind, but the uncomfortable, disconnected, I-want-to-jump-out-of-my-skin kind. The irritable, impatient, I’m-going-to-burn-it-all-down kind. For me, that kind of fire is quickly followed by panic and rumination: What is this? Where is it coming from? What does it mean?

So I pause. I breathe. I notice my surroundings—what I see, hear, touch, smell. I tune into my belly. Slowly, I feel connected to myself again. Five minutes later… disconnected. Again, I pause, breathe, notice, and return.

This is the heart of it. Coming home to yourself is noticing, listening to, and reclaiming the wisdom of your inner world. It’s returning to your body, your intuition, your presence—the parts of you that can get buried under life’s expectations and distractions.

It isn’t a destination—it’s a practice. Messy, fleeting, imperfect… but every return matters. And each time you come back, life feels a little more alive.

Here are a few ways to practice coming home to yourself that don’t require a lot of time:

• Five Senses Check-In

  • Pause and notice: What can I see, hear, touch, smell, taste right now?

  • Slowly scan your surroundings and your body, naming what you notice.

  • This brings you back to the present moment and your body.

• Belly Breathing

  • Place your hand on your belly.

  • Inhale for a count of 4, letting your belly rise.

  • Exhale for a count of 6, letting your belly fall.

  • Repeat 3–5 times. This centers you and reconnects you to your body.

• Body Scan

  • Close your eyes and slowly move your attention through your body: toes → legs → hips → chest → arms → head.

  • Notice tension, discomfort, or ease. Breathe into any tight spots.

  • This helps you feel grounded and embodied.

• Name Your Emotions

  • Pause and ask: What am I feeling right now?

  • Label it simply: “I feel anxious,” or “I feel restless.”

  • Acknowledge it without judgment — noticing your emotions is a form of coming home.

• Small Joy Pause

  • Take a moment to notice something that feels good right now: the sun on your skin, a warm cup of tea, the sound of birds.

  • Fully savor it. Let yourself be present with this small pleasure.

• Check-In With Your Heart

  • Ask yourself: What do I really need right now?

  • Could it be rest, movement, connection, creativity?

  • Notice your answer and see if there’s one small thing you can do to honor it.