The Journey of Self-Healing: Embracing Responsibility for Our Inner Wholeness

In our busy lives, we often operate on autopilot — working, planning, and doing — without pausing to reflect on what’s truly happening within us. I know I touch on this a lot … in the studio, on social media, and in previous blogs, but it’s something I feel quite strongly about raising awareness of. Whether it’s burnout, heartbreak, or an unsettling sense of discontent, there comes a moment when life urges us to slow down and look inward. And for many of you who’ve shared your stories with me, this was probably what prompted you to start — or return to — your yoga journey. This moment marks the beginning of our healing journey.

Recognising There Is Something to Heal

Healing starts with awareness. Before we can transform anything, we must first acknowledge our feelings. Many people live disconnected from their wounds — not because they don’t care, but because life moves too fast. Our bodies are truly fascinating; they want to protect us from pain. When we finally create space to pause, however, buried emotions and experiences can rise to the surface.

This is why many people report feeling profound emotions during holidays, time off work, or retreats. For example, a study showed that 72% of participants experienced increased emotional awareness after a week-long yoga retreat. The quiet allows us to face our feelings, tensions, and patterns — not to punish us, but to help us release them. This pause becomes the gateway to healing.

I’m writing this blog while away because I’ve recognised that whenever I slow down, things tend to come to the surface — as if my body and spirit are seizing the opportunity to bring my awareness to stones left unturned; to acknowledge, accept, and heal from what’s found underneath. These aren’t always huge things, but I surrender to the process and allow myself to explore what I’m feeling, meditate on it, and feel it.

I have been practising yoga while away, it ALWAYS helps me. It reconnects me to myself and helps me navigate and feel big emotions. I had a good think while being upside down, allowed myself to see things from a different perspective, thats what inversions are great for. Then i was like 'Jade stop thinking, and let it just come to you...'....

Healing as a Personal Responsibility

You may have heard the quote: “We are not responsible for our trauma, but we are responsible for our healing.” When I was in burnout a few years ago, I stumbled across this notion and it rewired my entire outlook on trauma and healing — a real ‘aha’ moment.

The truth is, no one else can heal us; the journey is something we must choose to take. Taking responsibility for our healing does not mean blaming ourselves for past pain — it means reclaiming our power. It means acknowledging:

• Where we hold pain or resistance

• What patterns keep us stuck

• Which practices help us find our balance again

This self-awareness is essential for making lasting changes in our attitudes and behaviours. My spiritual belief is that this is exactly why we are here having this human experience — to learn, to change, to grow, and to become the people we are destined to be, utilising the lessons from the experiences we’ve had.

How Yoga Helps — On and Off the Mat

Yoga is a powerful tool for healing because it connects the body and mind.

On the mat, yoga helps to release tension and promote self-reflection. Each pose encourages us to ask: Where am I tight? Where am I resisting? Where can I let go? For instance, a 2017 study found that 90% of participants reported improved mental clarity and emotional resilience after consistent yoga practice over three months.

Off the mat, yoga translates to mindfulness in daily life. We begin to notice our thought patterns and emotional responses, allowing us to make conscious choices aligned with our true selves. This is powerful — to recognise that you are the awareness behind the emotions and thoughts; that you can make conscious choices; that you don’t have to identify with what you observe, in or out of the mind. From that awareness, you can choose your next steps from a place of consciousness.

The Role of Mindfulness in Healing

Mindfulness is key to healing. It encourages us to be present with our thoughts and feelings without judgement. Practising mindfulness allows us to understand the root causes of our pain. Research indicates that mindfulness-based therapies can decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression by up to 60%.

This practice cultivates self-compassion, helping us treat ourselves with kindness instead of criticism. That shift is crucial, as it opens a safe space to explore and process our emotions. That safe space exists within us all … I promise.

The Power of Community Support

While healing is primarily a personal journey, community support can be incredibly valuable. Surrounding ourselves with people who understand our struggles offers comfort, encouragement, and new perspectives.

This is another reason why the community side of Inner Lifetime is so important to me. In my darker days of burnout, I had nobody to talk to — nobody to understand, nobody to just listen without judgement or without offering their opinion on what was right. The Hormone Yogis will likely agree that the talking we do in our yoga classes is healing — not just the talking, but truly feeling heard.

And it isn’t just the Hormone crew. I often have chats with many of you between classes or in the coffee hub, and I love hearing you connect and share between sessions too!

Embracing Vulnerability

We tend to view vulnerability as a weakness, but in healing it becomes a strength. Embracing vulnerability means being open to our emotions, which is vital for growth. When we show our true selves, we foster deeper connections with others. Studies show that those who express vulnerability report feeling more fulfilled because it fosters trust and understanding.

Allowing yourself to be vulnerable after experiencing trauma can be incredibly difficult — I know this. When something hurts, or when something from my past resurfaces, I make sure I discuss it with someone. Without seeing it as weakness, without trying to hold it all inside, and without worrying that I’m burdening others. The truth is, the right people will want to listen and help ease your burden — and if done with awareness, this can be done without harm. It’s liberating and beautiful.

The Importance of Self-Care

Self-care is an essential element of the healing journey. It involves taking actions that nurture our wellbeing. Self-care can take many forms, such as:

• Engaging in hobbies we love

• Prioritising sufficient sleep

• Making time to eat well and stay hydrated

Listening to our needs and investing in our wellbeing, even amid chaos, is vital for recovery. Our nervous system responds to this — it knows whether we’re taking care of ourselves or not. Every time we betray our needs, people-please, or drop ourselves to the bottom of the list, our nervous system loses trust in us.

The opposite is true: looking after ourselves in times of chaos sends a beautiful, strong message — “I am with you. I value you. I know this will pass, and I will take care of myself even when life gets hard.”

This takes practice and may start with small acts of self-care. As Tesco says, every little helps.

Setting Boundaries

Setting boundaries is crucial as we begin healing. Boundaries protect our energy and create a safe environment for growth.

Learning to say “no” to draining commitments or toxic relationships is a powerful act of self-love. This allows us to focus on what truly matters and creates space for healing.

I’ve been fortunate to hear many of your stories about how yoga has helped you with this process. This doesn’t come easily to everyone — especially those just beginning to explore the true benefits of boundaries. I was a slow learner myself, and I’m still on that journey.

All we can do is our best: learn from the times we haven’t had boundaries, and take accountability for that. Rather than thinking, “I can’t believe this has happened to me,” I find it empowering to reflect and ask, “How did I get to this point, and what boundaries can I put in place to stop it happening again?” It moves us from victim mode into empowerment. You are not helpless.

The Journey of Forgiveness

Forgiveness plays a significant role in healing. It’s important to note that forgiving someone doesn’t mean excusing their behaviour; it means releasing ourselves from the shackles of resentment.

This process can be liberating. Studies indicate that individuals who practise forgiveness report a 50% decrease in stress and anxiety levels. Forgiveness helps us let go of the past, reclaim our power, and find peace.

Forgiveness is beautiful. Recognising that it isn’t just for the person you forgive, but for you — to free yourself from the heaviness of pain, resentment, anger, and sadness.

I’ve been navigating forgiveness recently. Something happened, and my initial reaction was, “I forgive you,” not because I wanted to excuse the situation, but because I didn’t want to worsen it with toxic or hurtful words. I’ve spent too many years carrying weight that wasn’t mine.

However, forgiving shouldn’t mean denying yourself the emotions that arise from hurt or betrayal. It’s still important for your healing to feel these things — but without projecting hate or negativity. I can sit with the heavy feelings and meditate on them, while simultaneously forgiving. People make mistakes; we’re all on our own journeys. It’s not easy, but it’s healing.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean “I forgive you, let’s forget this happened and move on.” You can forgive, feel, and still set boundaries. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean they can continue to have your time or energy. My healing journey has taught me the value of who I am, and even when it’s difficult to part with a person, place, or situation, I choose my wellbeing.

Cultivating Gratitude

Gratitude is transformative. It shifts our focus from what we lack to the abundance we already possess. For example, people who keep a gratitude journal report 35% higher levels of happiness.

I don’t keep a gratitude journal, but I do practise gratitude daily — especially when I’m hurting or feeling uncomfortable emotions. Even on the heavier days, I make sure I don’t lose sight of all the beautiful things in my life. I make sure the heavy feelings don’t consume me — I keep a balance.

Practising gratitude helps us reframe our experiences, recognise the lessons within challenges, and pave the way for healing.

The Role of Professional Help

While self-healing is deeply personal, working with professionals like therapists or counsellors can be incredibly beneficial. They offer guidance as we navigate our healing process.

Seeking help is a sign of strength. Professionals can equip us with tools and strategies for coping with pain and trauma.

I’ve done a fair bit of therapy over the years and honestly think everyone would benefit from a neutral, weekly check-in point. While friends, family, and community are invaluable, sometimes having a detached, professional perspective is exactly what we need. There is zero shame in seeking professional help when things feel heavy — in fact, it’s the opposite. It’s a true testament to choosing yourself and your wellbeing, and something to be incredibly proud of.

Embracing the Journey

Healing is not a straight path; it has its ups and downs. Embracing this journey means accepting the challenges along the way.

Patience is essential. Understanding that healing takes time allows us to appreciate each small step we take towards wholeness.

This links back to my earlier point about things resurfacing whenever I slow down. While I’ve done a lot of healing work, I know I’ll likely spend the rest of my life healing — from big things and small. It’s the commitment to the journey that matters, and that commitment helps me practise compassion towards myself and others.

A Transformative Path Forward

The journey of self-healing is deep and life-changing. By taking responsibility for our inner wellbeing, we empower ourselves to create meaningful change in our lives.

With awareness, mindfulness, and community support, we can navigate the complexities of healing. Embracing vulnerability, forgiveness, and gratitude enriches our experience, helping us connect more profoundly with ourselves and others.

As we walk this transformative path, let’s remember that healing goes beyond overcoming pain. It’s about embracing our wholeness and reclaiming our personal power. Each step brings us closer to our most authentic, vibrant selves — and I believe that is a truly beautiful journey to be on.

Big love to you all,

Jade

xxx