Ever feel like life’s demands are piling up so much that you barely recognize yourself anymore? Trust me, I’ve been there.
We all have those moments when the pressure from work, family, or life in general pulls us away from who we really are and what we actually want. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to keep living like this. Self-mastery is your way to take back control and reconnect with your true self.
If you’re looking for ways to make decisions that actually align with your values, you’re in the right place.
I’ll explain 4 simple steps you can start taking today to work toward living the life that feels right for you.
Signs you’re losing control of your life
Here are some ways you can spot if you’re becoming a passenger in your own life:
- You feel stuck. Maybe you’re not sure what you want to do with your life, or you feel like you’re just going through the motions without a clear direction.
- You’re struggling with bad habits and old patterns. You have goals you want to achieve—get healthier, be more productive, focus on personal growth—but your daily actions don’t line up with those intentions.
- You’re stuck in reaction mode. Constantly responding to what life throws at you instead of taking charge can leave you feeling like you have no real control.
- You second-guess yourself. Whether it’s big life decisions or small daily choices, you find it tough to trust yourself and instead look to others for answers.
Feeling trapped in a loop of indecision, reactivity, and disconnection from who you are is draining. But by practicing self-mastery, you have the power to break this cycle and reach your full potential.
What is self-mastery?
Self-mastery, also called self-control, might sound complicated, but it can be boiled down to taking control of your thoughts, actions, and emotions.
It’s about having a deep understanding of yourself—developing self-awareness, self-compassion, and self acceptance, and making conscious decisions that align with your core values rather than outside influences.
Achieving self-mastery isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Like any new skill, doing the best you can is all you can ask of yourself. As you get more comfortable practicing self-mastery, you’ll stop feeling like life is just happening to you and start realizing you have way more control than you thought.
So, how do you begin?
4 steps to start practicing self-mastery
You might be surprised just how easy it is to start taking back your power and regaining control of your life. But remember, self-mastery isn’t a race! It might be tempting to dive in headfirst and tackle these steps all at once, but it’s okay to pace yourself. Start with one thing and ease yourself in.
1. Get your mind right
Will you take steps toward a better path, or stay stuck in the same patterns that have been holding you back? It all comes down to your frame of mind.
Your mindset is a powerful thing. The way you see yourself shapes how you engage with the world and your ability to make meaningful changes in your life.
Self-awareness is the foundation. After all, you can’t change what you don’t notice. Here are some practical ways you can improve your self-awareness and get more in tune with yourself:
- Journaling: Writing down your thoughts and feelings gives you a judgment-free space to process what’s on your mind. When you make journaling a habit, you’ll start noticing patterns in your emotions, behaviors, and reactions—helping you understand yourself on a deeper level.
- Mindfulness: Mindfulness is one of the most effective ways to get in touch with your inner self. Taking just five minutes a day to slow down, be still, and focus on the present moment can help quiet mental clutter and give you clarity on what you want.
2. Take control of your habits
The longer you’ve been stuck in a pattern of behavior, the harder it might seem to make a change. But if you know that your behaviors aren’t lining up with your goals, it’s time for a different approach.
Your habits are the sum of the small, daily actions you take, whether you’re conscious of them or not. These determine the direction you’re headed and whether or not you’ll reach your goals. Getting a handle on these habits is a crucial step in taking control of your life and creating the future you want.
How do you get started? It’s simple.
- Make a list of your current daily routine. Which habits are pushing you forward, and which ones are keeping you stuck? If your goal is to get in shape, are you consistently making time for exercise, or is it falling to the bottom of your to-do list?
- Start small. If you want to get more sleep, try going to bed just 10 minutes earlier. Want to get into mindfulness? Start with one minute of deep breathing each day.
- Don’t just remove—replace. It’s easier to break an old pattern when you swap it out for a new habit. Tired of starting every morning with an endless social media scroll? Try swapping your phone for a morning stretch instead.
Take it one day at a time and don’t beat yourself up if you’ve slipped back into old ways. Change takes time and effort. You’ve only failed when you’ve stopped trying!
3. Own your decisions
When you’re trying to take back control of your life, accountability is your best friend. To see real progress and start moving towards the future you want, you have to be honest with yourself.
This means recognizing when you stumble and taking the necessary steps to get going again. It can also mean sharing your goals with a trusted friend or family member to give you the support system and encouragement you need to keep moving forward.
Remember, setbacks are a natural part of growth. Taking accountability isn’t about judgment or punishing yourself. It’s about self-love, patience, and consciously choosing to keep moving forward.
4. It’s about progress, not perfection
As I’ve mentioned throughout this blog, reconnecting with yourself through self-mastery takes time. You won’t see instant results, and you will make mistakes along the way. And that’s totally okay!
Celebrate your wins—even the small ones. And don’t give up the moment you fall short. What truly matters is getting back up, learning from the experience, and carrying on towards a happier, more authentic life.
Let’s work together to create lasting change
Self-mastery isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about taking the time every day to work toward the life you truly want. If you’re ready to break the patterns that are holding you back and create a more fulfilling life for yourself, I can help.
I offer spiritual life coaching to support your personal growth journey and give you greater confidence along the way. It takes more than wishful thinking to make meaningful change—it requires taking action.
Get in touch and let’s create a personalized spiritual life coaching plan to help you align with your true purpose.
