Caring For and Connecting More Deeply with Yourself

Like all relationships, the one you have with yourself takes time to build. Your relationship with yourself needs to be cared for in a loving and patient way. The journey to connecting more deeply with yourself is going to take some time and work -- but it is certainly worth it.

Through the practices recommended on this page, you will learn to:

  • Release your inner critic and tune into deeper loving wisdom
  • Practice acceptance, forgiveness and unconditional self-love
  • Create a safe, warm and loving space within where you are supported, guided, and at peace

Overall, self-connection is a state of being in which you regularly tune in to your own emotional, spiritual, and physical needs, and honor them in your daily actions. In this journey, it is important to consistently look inward and be aware of your thoughts and feelings as you are having them. Stay in the moment and see if you can describe what you are feeling in your body and what kinds of thoughts are floating in and out of your head. If you are not sure why you should start the journey of self-care, here are some more of the benefits of connecting with yourself:

  • Your inner instincts and intuition get stronger and support decision making
  • More comfort and ease spending time on the things that matter
  • The way forward towards your goals and path in your life will become more clear
  • A deeper appreciation for the little things in each daily moment
  • A greater sense of control over your own happiness and wellbeing
  • A deeper connection with nature, other humans, and divinity

Resources to support your self-care journey

Self-care comes in many forms, and looks different for everyone. No matter where you’re from or what you do, everybody is deserving of space and time to rest and connect with themselves. 

These resources can support you in your self-care journey:

UMatter Wellness Self-Assessment

Take the UMatter Wellness Self-Assessment to reflect upon the areas of wellness and set goals for yourself to improve your overall well-being.

ULifeline Self-Evaluator 

Interested in a self-screening for common mental health conditions? Check out this ULifeline Self-Evaluator. 

Beginning Therapy 

“The Most Introverted Sasha Fierce" is a podcast that addresses concerns regarding insurance, finding the right therapist, and continuing therapy in its first 15 minutes. This is a good resource for anyone who might have some questions about starting therapy. 

Test Anxiety Stressbuster Tips 

Princeton undergrads share how they handle stress during midterms. Learn how to overcome test anxiety and prepare for your exams with reduced stress.  

Effective Stress Relievers 

These stress relievers are simple, and they can make a real difference in how you handle stress.

Learn more about the reasons Breathwork Is Radical Self Care For BIPOC folks. 

Meditation Guides 

Free audio and video guides designed to lower levels of stress, ease muscle tension, calm your mind, and direct your focus. You can easily use these to start your day, or as a respite between tasks or activities. Note that these videos are not intended to replace treatment or therapy, but rather as one of several stress management tools in your life.   

This guided meditation for students video walks you through practices that can help you to calm your mind, relax, and focus.

Explore this 10 Minute Guided Meditation session to help reduce anxiety.

QuietKit.com can help you start meditation at your own pace. With audio guides from 2-10 minutes, you can select the best meditation length for you and slowly build your meditation skills. 

Self-Compassion Resources 

Self-compassion is extending compassion to one's self in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering. Kristin Neff has defined self-compassion as being composed of three main elements – self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Explore exercises  and strategies to develop self-compassion.  

This video explains Self-Compassion and walks you through a self-compassion exercise. 

Check out these testimonies from 14 Black LGBTQ+ Folks on How They’re Taking Care of Themselves Right Now.  

Finding A Way Through: Build Your Resilience 

Resilience is the ability to adapt to difficult situations. When stress, adversity or trauma strikes, you still experience anger, grief and pain, but you're able to keep functioning — both physically and psychologically. However, resilience isn't about putting up with something difficult, being stoic or figuring it out on your own. Resilience refers to how well you can deal with and bounce back from the difficulties of life. Here are 10 techniques you can focus on in order to foster your own resilience. 

Learn about the three secrets of resilient people from a resilience expert Dr. Lucy Hone.  

Racial battle fatigue (RBF) has been defined as the psychological, emotional, and physiological toll of chronic exposure to racism. The term was coined to describe the profound cumulative effects of unavoidable, systemic racism Black Americans experience in predominantly White institutions of higher education.

Learn how to to build mindful self-compassion that can be a practice of healing and resistance for BIPOC folks: 3 Steps to Healing and Resistance in the Face of Racism 

Exercising Gratitude 

Research shows that an “attitude of gratitude” can measurably improve your overall well-being. Finding little ways to express your appreciation can support your overall wellbeing. Practice building gratitude through learning about how gratitude can help you. 

Skills & Support for Coping with Suicidal Thoughts 

Exercises and videos at NowMattersNow.org that provide strategies and understanding to help those struggling with suicidal thoughts. These tools are useful to many people, regardless of mental health problems.   

Building Community 

Community can be defined in many ways, but when simplified down to its most important element, community is all about connection. Community is not just an entity or a group of people, it’s a feeling. It’s feeling connected to others, feeling accepted for who you are and feeling supported. Research has shown that having connection can help us feel wanted and loved.

Watch Lisa Nichols talk about the Importance of Community and how it can improve your sense of self. 

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