You’re The Drifter
Gentle, Protective, and Learning Presence
When life gets overwhelming, you know how to disappear not physically, but emotionally. You numb out, detach, or go quiet. It’s not laziness or apathy. It’s survival. Your nervous system learned that shutting down was the safest way to protect you.
And it worked. It kept you safe in moments that felt too big to face.
But now, that same strategy can leave you feeling disconnected from your body, your relationships, and even your own desires.
The Belief That’s Kept You Safe
You may have told yourself:
“Disconnection is the only way I can stay safe.”
That belief once protected you from pain. It shielded you from conflict, rejection, and overwhelm. But today, it doesn’t serve you the way it once did. Instead of safety, it often leaves you isolated and stuck.
The Truth Your Body Knows
Here’s what’s real:
Presence is your power. It’s safe to feel again, one step at a time.
You don’t have to dive in all at once. Reconnecting gently with your body and emotions will help you rediscover the joy, connection, and aliveness that you’ve been missing.
Your First Step Back to Yourself
Start small with the Feel Your Feet Grounding Practice, from my book "Unapologetically You", a simple exercise to help you gently return to your body in moments when you drift away. This step reconnects you with presence, safely and slowly.
1. Find a comfortable seat. Sit upright in a chair with your feet on the ground, or rest somewhere you feel supported. Fold your hands in your lap and take 60 seconds to allow yourself to fidget before you come to stillness.
2. Notice your breath. Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly. Close your eyes. Take a slow inhale through your nose and let it fill your belly first, then your chest. Exhale gently through your mouth. Breathe deeply into your belly for 30 breaths.
3. Begin to release. With each exhale, consciously focus on your body starting with your feet. As you move up to your calves, thighs, groin, belly, chest, arms, throat, and head - release a little tension every time you take a breath.
4. Scan for safety. Once you've completed 30 breaths open your eyes and look around the room slowly without moving your body too much. Use your peripheral vision to take in as much of the room as you can. Let your eyes land on three things that signal “I am safe right now” — maybe a calming color, a familiar object, or the way the light comes through the window.
5. Anchor with words. Silently remind yourself: “I am safe to pause. I am safe to rest.”
Close with stillness. Stay with your breath for a few more cycles. When you are ready, you can stand up and get back to your day and notice how your body feels a little softer.
When You’re Ready for More
The grounding practice is just the first step
In my book "Unapologetically You", you’ll learn how to:
- Face your fears with compassion using a simple courage toolkit, so you no longer have to hide (Chapter 5)
- Celebrate small wins and daily progress, which helps you rebuild confidence without pressure (Chapter 11)
- Use the power of micro-actions to move forward, even when big steps feel impossible (Chapter 9)
This book is your guide to returning from survival mode into presence, purpose, and possibility.
Your Next Move
Drifting helped you survive. But presence will help you thrive.
Get "Unapologetically You" and reclaim the power of being here, fully, deeply, and unapologetically.
