Authentic spaces
questions to uncover where you feel most yourself
Whether you listen to the VoiceOver for accessibility, because you’re more of an auditory learner or so you can grab some movement while we’re together—it will consistently be an option.
Where are you most comfortable?
It's a simple question with weighty implications.
Where are the spaces where stepping in feels instantaneously familiar?
Places where the outside world may be stressfully unfamiliar (see story below) yet within those walls (or lack thereof) exists an immediate sense of belonging.
Israel
18 years ago I went to Guatemala for 2 weeks.
Life happened and I ended up there for five months.
Solo + a baby, out of my routine, and with very little knowledge of conversational Spanish—everything felt forced and unfamiliar.
One afternoon, 4 months into my ‘stay with no end date’, I went out for a walk. As I rounded a corner, I heard Chamillionaire’s Ridin’ Dirty blasting and found myself striding straight into an outdoor gym (think Venice Beach without sand).
I exhaled in a way I had not for 100+ days and *still* remember the immediate and overwhelming sense of I’m home! My people!
My comfortable space is the gym.
Any gym, anywhere in the world.
The familiar sounds, the shared language of lifting, and the collective commitment to a foundation of fitness feels.like. home.
For me the weight room is more than a space for movement; it’s a consistent refuge that transcends geographical boundaries.
Austin
What do I mean by where you feel most yourself?
It’s different for all of us, yet I believe when we pause to consider the questions below we *all* have a place.
I have friends who find comfort in the quiet space of a library. Surrounded by stacks and the promise of endless knowledge and stories this is where they feel their most authentic selves. The library, a haven for those craving intellectual comfort and quiet connection, provides a silent retreat where minds can go anywhere without bodies needing to move.
Chicago
For some a sense of e x h a l i n g is found in the structured environment of a classroom (my ex-husband was like this and while I admired it—it is not me). Here the pursuit of knowledge and growth provides comfy-consistency and the familiar routine of desks and discourse creates a sought after oasis of calm.
For one of my fave humans, the swimming pool is a source of I uncover my best self here! Rhythmic laps, movement as meditation and the buoyant feeling of weightlessness offer a reassuring, predictable haven no matter where they are in the world.
Nairobi
The significance of these spaces lies in the consistency they bring.
The surroundings become anchors, grounding and connecting us in a world that can feel unpredictable.
These comfort zones reveal clues about the aspects of life that offer us scaffolding, stability and a clear sense of self.
This is where these musings began…
My question back to you is where do *you* feel most yourself?
Reflecting on this unveils the rhythms and strength of regularity that shapes all aspects of life.
Consider:
Where do you feel most at ease?
In what surroundings do you feel most alive/experience your biggest exhale?
When do you feel the best, most authentic version of yourself?
In which spaces do you find the consistency that grounds your journey?
My first thought was the beach, and it's true that I feel authentic and calm and peaceful and happy and full when my toes are in the sand and I'm watching the endless loop of ocean waves crashing onto the beach.
My second thought was … ohhhhh, what a cliché. You CAN'T admit that the beach is the place you feel most alive.
And my third thought is, "Oh, yes, you can and you will and you must." Because it is so. Give me a beach – an ocean beach, not a lake – and I'm me.
"The significance of these spaces lies in the consistency they bring." - that got me in the feels. Great post, Carla! :)