The world is noisy. Teachers, coaches, gurus, and self-help programs clamor for your attention, promising clarity, calm, and success in a chaotic world. Acronyms like SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) fill your headspace, urging you to follow their rigid steps. But what if these systems, meant to guide you, are adding to your anxiety? What if, instead of freedom, they trap you in a cycle of self-doubt—Am I doing this right? Am I enough? Will this work if I don’t follow every rule?
Sometimes, these frameworks become part of the same toxic systems you’re trying to escape—systems that demand conformity over authenticity, achievement over feeling, and external validation over inner truth. You’ve heard their voices your whole life:
- “Do as I say, not as I do.”
- “Memorize this formula, and you’ll pass.”
- “Our way is the only way; don’t question it.”
- “Take this pill, follow this plan, trust this authority.”
- “Success means college, job, marriage, house, kids, retirement—then you can live.”
- “People like you don’t challenge the status quo; they fade away.”
These messages, burned into the fabric of your being, drown out your inner voice. But true balance, sovereignty, and freedom lie within you, not in external rules or prescriptions. Going within means rediscovering your intuition, your truth, and your unique path, leading to an unwavering footing. Here’s how to begin.
Steps to Go Within
- Choose Your Path: Going within is personal. You don’t need a meditation cushion or a guru’s approval. Maybe you find stillness walking in nature, swimming laps, or singing at the top of your lungs. Perhaps it’s clapping, laughing, or yelling to release pent-up energy. Experiment with what grounds you in the present moment and reconnects you to your inner self.
- Feel Without Judgment: When you connect to the present, notice the energy in your body, often around your heart. If judgmental thoughts arise (I’m not good at this, I’m wasting time), acknowledge them gently and let them pass. Return to the feeling, the breath, the moment. There’s no right or wrong way to do this.
- Listen for Your Inner Voice: Breathe deeply. Is there a message, an emotion, or simply a sensation? It might be subtle or profound. Trust that this experience is sacred, yours alone, and safe. Your thoughts, feelings, and emotions are valid, even if they’ve been dismissed before.
- Embrace Your Natural Gift: Going within is a human birthright, often devalued by systems that prioritize productivity over presence. Allow yourself this time. It’s safe to explore, to feel, to be.
Why It Matters
Going within isn’t about mastering a technique or checking off a self-help box. It’s about opening to your inner wisdom, free from the noise of external expectations. From this place, you can discern what serves you and what doesn’t. You can reject toxic systems—whether they’re societal norms, rigid programs, or inherited beliefs—and define what’s meaningful on your terms.
Your Next Step
Today, take a few minutes to try going within. Find a quiet space, or move in a way that feels alive to you. Breathe, feel, and listen. Notice what arises without forcing an outcome. This small act of turning inward is a radical step toward freedom.
You are enough. You have value and purpose. Your path is yours. And your inner voice is waiting to gently guide you home.
About the Author
Susan Gold is a renowned author and transformationalist guiding individuals toward self-discovery and empowerment. She specializes in helping people break free from limiting systems, enabling them to uncover their innate abilities and embrace a life driven by inner authenticity.
Through her YouTube channel, “Inspiration for Transformation,” Susan shares valuable insights and practical wisdom. Her series, Gold Conversations, features real-life stories of individuals who have transcended unfulfilling systems to create meaningful, purpose-driven lives. One standout episode that reflects this article features her conversation with Jessica Conway, who reshaped her career to align with her ideal lifestyle—a compelling discussion you can watch here.
Photo by Ian Stauffer on Unsplash
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Contributor Susan Gold is an author and transformationalist. After growing up in a toxic family system, she now helps others through similar trauma, leading with heart and love. Her YouTube video posts are at: https://www.youtube.com/@susangoldismagical
