Being in Relationship with Myself: Cultivating Presence
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned in my journey is the importance of being in a relationship with myself—of truly showing up for me. For so long, I thought presence was about being fully engaged with others, but I’ve realised that the foundation of presence lies in how I connect with myself.
To me, presence means being in the here and now without judgment or distractions. It’s about stepping out of autopilot mode and choosing to notice what’s happening within and around me. Yet, being present isn’t always easy. My mind often pulls me into the past, replaying old stories, or it rushes ahead into the future, filled with plans or worries. In those moments, I gently remind myself to pause and ask: “What’s happening right now? What am I feeling, sensing, or experiencing in this moment?”.
When I embrace presence, I notice life in sharper detail—the way sunlight filters through the window, the rhythm of my breath, or even the subtle weight of emotions I might otherwise ignore. It’s in these moments of open-ended presence that I find clarity and connection, not just with the world but with myself.
Being present with myself also requires letting go of judgment. When I notice self-criticism creeping in, I try to acknowledge it without letting it take over. Instead of judging my emotions or thoughts, I strive to hold them with curiosity and compassion, asking, “What might this be trying to tell me?”
It’s not always comfortable. Sometimes, being fully present means facing the parts of myself, I’d rather avoid—fear, doubt, or pain. But I’ve learned that these moments are where true growth happens. When I stay with myself, even through discomfort, I find a deeper sense of grounding and self-trust.
The gift of presence is that it helps me make the most of the opportunities of the now. Whether it’s savouring a quiet moment, noticing something beautiful, or simply allowing myself to rest, presence reminds me that life is happening here, not in the past or the future.
1. How often do you take time to be fully present with yourself? What helps you reconnect when you feel distracted or disconnected?
2. What does being in a judgment-free relationship with yourself look like for you? How might this deepen your self-awareness?
I’d love to hear your reflections and learn from you, guys. How do you cultivate presence in your daily life? 🌿💚
@Sel3ne
hello dear selena
its nice to see your post.
i read your beautiful words , thank you for sharing them.
in response to question 1 : the one never had a fully presence with itself that
there is something else that the question was profound and it raised another question that is there anyone on the body to be aware of it own ?
in another word , when there is a fully presence with myself , who is aware of this presence ?
about question 2 , you mean : the me who looks at the self without judgement , what should it look like ?
thanks for your attention
@Sel3ne
"...the importance of being in a relationship with myself—of truly showing up for me."
Like I often say to others, you are your own best friend. Don't forget it. Our body, our mind, all those things which we are. We're a team.
@Sel3ne, this was extremely well said!
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I try to take time each day to be fully present with myself, whether it’s during a quiet moment in the morning or while reflecting at the end of the day. When I feel distracted or disconnected, I remind myself to pause and take a few deep breaths. I also use journaling or simple mindfulness techniques to refocus, helping me reconnect with my thoughts and feelings. These small moments help me centre myself and stay grounded.
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Being in a judgment-free relationship with myself means accepting my thoughts and emotions without criticizing or judging them. It’s about embracing all parts of myself, even the ones that feel uncomfortable, with compassion. When I do this, I become more aware of my inner world and understand my emotions better. This deeper self-awareness helps me respond to challenges with more clarity and kindness.
@Sel3ne
Thank you for sharing such beautiful insights! Your reflections on presence and self-connection are truly inspiring. I love how you emphasize the importance of being in a judgment-free relationship with yourself. Your journey toward cultivating mindfulness and self-awareness is remarkable—keep shining your light! 🌿💚
For me, a judgment-free relationship with myself means accepting my mistakes and treating myself with kindness instead of criticism. It helps me become more self-aware by allowing me to reflect and grow without feeling bad about myself.🫶
@Sel3ne
I agree with you that the most important relationship you can have is the relationship with yourself. I think how a person connects with one self is an important thing to realize. I try to practice mindfulness and also can have no distractions when I do this. I like meditations, and guided imagery to do during the day. I want to practice yoga more and exercising helps me stay connected with myself. I also try to notice what’s happening within and around me. I try not to think of the past that much. I also have to try myself not to worry too much about the future. I have heard of a grounding technique I can use sometimes, name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can smell, 2 things you can taste, and 1 thing you can touch. I don’t know if I wrote that down right, I learned it recently and have to ask the person that told me about it. But I only did the 5 things you can see and 4 things you can hear part, so I might be mixing up the other senses on the list. This is supposed to keep me present in the moment. It also helps me experience clarity and connection with myself. I am supposed to try to take time to be fully present with myself everyday. I try to exercise 5 times a week which helkps me stay connected to myself. The other two days I try to get rest and I like doing the guided imagery if I remember to do it. I don’t get distracted or disconnected. I just have to focus on doing meditations and progressive muscle relaxation, and the guided imagery. A judgement free relationship with myself looks like I am happy with myself for being healthy, eating healthy, dieting, and exercising good. I will be more self aware when I know that I am still healthy and have a healthy lifestyle with exercising a lot during the week. I get my quiet time in the morning or afternoon. I also try to remember to journal in the evening before I go to bed.
@Sel3ne
Hello !!
How often do you take time to be fully present with yourself? What helps you reconnect when you feel distracted or disconnected?
I make it a habit to set aside quiet moments daily, whether through meditation, journaling, or just deep breathing, to stay connected with myself. When I feel distracted, a walk or focused activity helps me reconnect, grounding me and reminding me of my purpose and inner peace.
@Sel3ne
1. How often do you take time to be fully present with yourself?
I try to be fully present with myself daily, even if just for a few moments. Deep breaths, quiet reflection, or noticing small details help me reconnect. When I feel distracted, I pause, acknowledge it without judgment, and gently bring my focus back to the present moment.
