This article defines Self Wilding.
Also in this series, you’ll find the 7 Keys to Self Wilding and How to Use Your Ego to Find Fulfillment.
What Is Self Wilding?
‘Self Wilding’ means freeing your inner nature to be who you need to be to be you. As explained elsewhere, I’ve coined this phrase and it’s not about remoteness in the wilderness nor any brash idea of wildness. It’s about feeling whole and achieving balance and connection. As Lucia Capacchione, art therapist and pioneer in expressive arts therapies, explains:
…the feeling part of us that loves to play and explore…that thrives on ‘simply’ being instead of achieving….the vulnerable, feeling, spontaneous, creative self”.
Lucia Capacchione in Recovery of Your Inner Child
Capacchione refers to it as freeing the inner child. But my take is that it is simply our inner nature.
Self Wilding is about developing ways to act out life situations true to our inner nature and in harmony with the nature around us.
Why Is Self Wilding So Important For Wellness?
Self Wilding is important for our wellness because it is about liberating us from layers that create feelings of unhappiness and of being trapped.
Our ego, our personas, and other’s perspectives are layers that have a place in supporting who we are in society. Still, it comes down to balance and how much importance we give to each or all of them in determining who we are, or what we do.
Self Wilding Frees Our Inner Being
The problem is that these outer layers can take precedence in today’s world. They ride us, day in and day out. My take is that not giving enough credence to our inner self drains us of our true essence. This inhibits our sense of wellbeing and happiness.
The result: we feel trapped and when we feel trapped we fail to see the opportunities for success in our current situation. We are unhappy and this can lead to feeling depressed and suffering from chronic stress symptoms.
Self Wilding supports our true essence. It’s important to reach who we need to be, to feel fulfilled.
Linking To Self Wilding
Who is this for? This is for you, if you’re looking for freedom from the ordinary, from the blah! from feeling shackled. Self wilding should have a prominent place in your personal development.
What it means? Ideally, you should be able to connect straight from outward requirements to ‘true you’ solutions. Also, all actions about life situations should connect back to a corresponding self-wilding way, so the importance of the nature within and around you is clear from your entire fabric.
As you develop, you will perform tons of new actions approaching life situations from new angles, each one linking back to your true essence. This internal linking structure will increase your chance of reaching a wholesome and connected lifestyle and a happy you.
Ways to Link to Self Wilding
There are infinite ways of wilding yourself (or linking to your inner nature). Some may be unique to you. But, here’s a list of ways and perspectives to get you rolling.
Meditate
Many successful people practice meditation daily to help them in their busy lives to connect to a source of calm and insight. Examples include Oprah Winfrey and Jack Dorey of Twitter.
What will meditation do? Meditation benefits you by stilling the bombardment of thoughts flooding your mind. It helps to calm and pause your analytical mind and to subdue your outer layers.
Finding a comfortable position and practicing meditation daily helps clear the noise and free the mind. This freedom can help with ‘just knowing’ what’s right or not in relationships, work, and life in general.
Journal Often
Journalling is another way to free yourself. Jotting thoughts down helps to free the mind and it might surprise you as to what you’ll learn through reflection, and going back and reflecting on what you’ve written.
Try writing three things you are grateful for each day and see how your perspective changes.
Enter Alpha State of Mind
In this state, your brains resonates at “a frequency of approximately 8 to 13 cycles per second that is often associated with a state of wakeful relaxation”.¹
Entering alpha state benefits creativity, relieves stress, and helps us connect to our inner being. Read more in my article on Alpha State of Mind: The Natural Wellness Source.
Go Barefoot
Your feet are your standing foundation. They are a natural connection and give you a good hold on the earth. Kicking off your shoes and letting your feet ‘breathe’ does wonders for the soul. It’s a good stance that supports a calm natural you.
Read more in my articles on Going Barefoot in Public and about Barefoot Running.
Going barefoot on natural surfaces is a way of earthing or grounding.
Try Earthing and Grounding
Earthing (or grounding) refers to the discovery of benefits—including better sleep and reduced pain—from walking barefoot outside or sitting, working, or sleeping indoors connected to conductive systems that transfer the Earth’s electrons from the ground into the body.
Chevalier et al, in J Environ Public Health. 2012; 2012: 291541
Align Your Core Values
Aligning your core values is important in being who you need to be. See my article on Living Out Your Core Values.
Eat With Inner and Outer Nature In Mind
See my articles on the Best Diet For Everyone, How to Eat Healthily Every Day, and Best Foods For Gut Health.
Avoid Toxins
Try to eliminate toxins in your home and workplace as much as possible. This can fog your mind and impair your wellbeing.
See my articles on Alternative Products for Personal and Home Use, Natural Hair Conditioners, Water As the Best Facial Moisturizer, and others.
Get A Dose of Nature
Nature provides us with natural feel good elements. Sunshine, for example, gives us Vitamin D, important for healthy bones and teeth and our mental wellbeing.
Read more in my article on Natural Ways to Feel Better.
References
- Alpha wave. 2018. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved Oct 17, 2018, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alpha%20wave/