Dancing with Self-Doubt

When healing lessons arrive unexpectedly

Lessons in healing and growth sometimes arrive when we least expect them. To my delight, these lessons often stretch us to our edges, helping us create new ones. We must remain open to these small opportunities that present themselves, even when we’re not expecting them. But it can be easy to miss them if we’re not connected and present with ourselves—something that’s challenging during times of healing and transformation.

Listening to your body’s wisdom

Taking a creative, open approach can help us recognize these lessons. Sometimes, what feels like an impulsive or crazy thought is actually our body, soul, or intuition trying to speak and express itself.

A dance with self-doubt

A few weeks ago, I found myself demanding to release self-doubt, yet ironically, self-doubt was asking for my presence. It requested that I be open, listen deeply, and feel.

Movement is what I sensed was needed. As I moved, I closed my eyes, sinking into myself. I felt light and my body led the way, guiding me with organic, gentle movements. My mind quieted, giving way to more attention to body and breath. It was as if I was finally in sync with myself. The thoughts of “getting rid of” my self-doubt dissolved, and what surfaced instead was a story.

Tears began to flow as I recognized what lay beneath the self-doubt: a longing to protect. This protection had served me well throughout my life but needed transformation because I was no longer that person. This simple act of listening, using music and movement to connect, was transformative in ways that are hard to put into words—but best understood through experience.

Since that morning I have dialogued with self doubt while hiking up a hill and in several other ways that each time leave me feeling with more peace and more self confidence.

Transformative power of connection

These are the lessons of healing, self-exploration, and self-connection. When we invite our sensations, memories, and parts of ourselves to be present, it is transformative. The impulse to push away discomfort is common, but it only keeps us stuck. The act of self-exploration through somatic practices—such as dancing or movement—guides us toward self-connection. It’s a beautiful way to feel as though you’ve truly returned to yourself.

I explore this experience of untangling and reconnecting with ourselves in A Journey Back to Self. I recommend this reading if you're ready to dive deeper into this exploratory work.

An invitation to connect

We heal through connection, and that includes connecting with, and sometimes dancing with, the parts of ourselves that challenge us most.

How might you connect with the parts of yourself that challenge you?

If you're curious about exploring this deeper connection, consider somatic coaching as a way to deepen that exploration learn more here.

Con amor, Marisela