By Erika Brooks
There’s a moment many women encounter when they look in the mirror and wonder, Where did she go? That vibrant, confident, joyful version of yourself who laughed freely, dreamed boldly, and carried a spark that lit up every room—sometimes she feels lost under the weight of responsibilities, pain, or life’s unexpected twists.
The truth is, she’s not gone. She may be buried under layers of stress, trauma, or endless “to-do” lists, but she is still there. Becoming her again is not about going back in time; it’s about reconnecting with the parts of you that make you feel whole, alive, and authentically yourself.
Why We Lose Ourselves
Life has a way of pulling us in a thousand directions. Careers, family, relationships, caregiving, and unexpected crises all demand our attention. Add in grief, burnout, or unmet goals, and it’s no wonder many women wake up one day feeling like a stranger to themselves.
We lose ourselves when:
- We prioritize everyone else’s needs over our own.
- We equate productivity with worth.
- We silence our passions in order to “fit in.”
- We forget that joy is a necessity, not a luxury.
This disconnect doesn’t happen overnight. It’s gradual. But just as it happened slowly, returning to yourself is possible—step by step.
