I’d like to share with you what I believe it truly means and takes to be grounded.
I hope this exploration inspires you to cultivate groundedness in your own life, creating a foundation of inner strength and stability that supports you through all of life’s challenges.
The Grounded Ones
My first connection to the word ‘grounded’ came as a teenager following the lives of celebrities. I remember my curiosity being particularly drawn to those celebrities who were described as being ‘grounded’.
That description seemed very much in contrast to the typical portrayal of pop stars and movie stars – head in the clouds, caught up in all the praise and attention that being famous brings upon them.
The grounded ones, those who seemed sensible, stable, unpretentious, were the ones I wanted to get to know.
The Origin of Grounded Physiotherapy
When I decided to name my business Grounded Physiotherapy, it fit perfectly to me.
The word ‘grounded’ captures the values I hold dear: a deep connection to nature, living sustainably, and being present and connected to oneself and others. It symbolizes my commitment to mindfulness, authenticity, and the environment.
Self-Connection: The First Step of Being Grounded
To be grounded is to be rooted in your truest self.
Fostering this connection to oneself is an inward and ongoing journey of self-discovery and self-awareness. It involves discovering and rediscovering our values, strengths, passions, and limiting beliefs, as well as the direction that our inner compass is pointing.
Creating a Stable Inner Core
When we understand and embrace our truest self, we create a stable inner core that anchors us in all aspects of life. This internal foundation equips us to navigate life’s uncertainties and surprises, and respond to situations with clarity and confidence. We make decisions and take actions that are in harmony with our true self, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Practical Ways to Foster Connection with Yourself
1. Setting aside time for reflection
Set aside time each week for reflection. Consider such questions as: What made me feel alive and purposeful? What ideas or invitations made me say “hell yes!”? What made me feel disconnected to myself?
Keep an eye out for patterns over time.
2. Identifying our core values
Start by creating a broad list of core values (link to a list) that resonate with you. Keep refining the list until you identify the most essential ones. Reflect on how these values show up in your daily life with concrete examples, and how they could show up more consistently in your life.
Building a Greater Sense of Self
Self-awareness is another crucial aspect of becoming grounded. While being connected to who we are involves understanding our core values, strengths, and passions, self-awareness is about recognizing and understanding our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in real-time.
Recognizing Emotional Patterns
Building a greater sense of self is a continuous practice that involves identifying patterns, understanding triggers, and developing emotional intelligence. We deepen our self-awareness when we regularly evaluate our experiences and learn from them.
Techniques to Deepen Self-Awareness
1. Journaling for growth and insight
Journaling is a powerful tool for self-discovery and growth. By reflecting on your thoughts, feelings, and daily experiences, we externalize our internal world, creating distance that allows us to learn and grow.
Consider prompts such as “What did I feel strongly about today?” or “What triggered a strong emotional reaction within me today?” This reflective practice can help us gain insights into our habitual responses and emotional patterns.
2. Daily emotional awareness
Throughout the day, turn inward and ask yourself, “What am I feeling right now?” Follow that up with, “Why am I feeling this way?” Acknowledge your emotions without judgment and consider healthy ways to meet them, such as through deep breathing, movement, talking to someone, or journaling.
3. Gaining external perspectives
Constructive feedback from trusted friends, family, coaches, or mentors provides different perspectives on our behaviors and actions. This external input can reveal blind spots and areas for growth, enhancing our self-awareness.
Embracing Authenticity in Daily Life
Authenticity is the art of being true to ourselves in every situation. It’s the expression of our self-awareness, manifesting as genuine interactions and decisions.
Being authentic means embracing our true self and aligning our actions with our inner truths, all despite societal expectations. When we’re authentic, we present ourselves honestly and openly, fostering genuine relationships and a sense of inner peace.
Authenticity requires courage and vulnerability. It’s not always easy but it leads to a life where we no longer feel the need to wear masks or conform to external pressures.
Strategies to Cultivate Authenticity
1. Returning to your core values
When our actions are in sync with our values, we naturally feel more authentic and grounded. This might mean making choices that are unconventional or unpopular but staying true to what you believe is right for you.
Keep your values list visible and refer to it often. Ask yourself, “Does this action align with my values?” Let your values guide you, even in small, everyday choices.
2. Finding comfort in vulnerability
Practice stepping out of your comfort zone by expressing your true opinions and feelings in situations where you might usually hold back.
Start with small steps, such as sharing a personal story with a colleague or voicing your true preferences in group settings.
3. Embracing imperfection
Authenticity is about being real, not perfect. It’s important to accept and embrace our imperfections, understanding that they are a part of what makes us unique.
Showing vulnerability and admitting mistakes can strengthen our authenticity, so long as it’s not to follow a trend or seek validation, but rather to live more honestly and freely.
Living in the Present
A grounded person lives in the present moment, fully engaged with the here and now. This presence keeps us from getting stuck in the past or worrying about the future. It allows us to experience life as it unfolds.
The Balance of Past, Present, and Future
When we’re grounded, we understand the past has influenced where we are today, and acknowledge the value and necessity of planning for the future. However, we do so from an anchored, centered place, always bringing ourselves back to the present moment when we notice we’ve strayed too far away from it.
Ways to Stay Present
1. Creating mental space
Writing down or drawing what’s on our mind helps create mental space to be present. By externalizing our thoughts and emotions, we can process them and then return to the moment with a clearer perspective.
Consider prompts like “What is occupying my mind right now?” or “What am I grateful for today?” to guide your journaling.
2. Anchoring through meditation
Mindfulness meditation practices train us to anchor in the present and continually return to the here and now whenever we get distracted. This practice helps train our focus and cultivate a habit of presence in daily life.
Start with a simple breathing meditation. Focus on your breath as it moves in and out, and gently bring your attention back to the breath whenever it wanders.
3. Accessing mindfulness through movement
Movement can be a great way to practice being present. To stay present while doing a physical activity, stay connected to the sensations in your body, allowing this focus to ground you in the present moment.
During a walk or a resistance-training session, for example, notice the feeling of your feet on the ground, the rhythm of your breath, or the feeling of your muscles contracting. When swimming, or participating in an exercise class, focus on the flow of your movement or how your body feels during each pose or exercise.
Becoming Rooted
I love the analogy of being grounded as being rooted into the ground, like a tree that is able to sway while remaining firmly anchored. When life gets tough, just as a tree withstands strong winds, hail, and even children climbing all over it, remaining rooted despite these challenges, so too can we. The more grounded we are, the less we’ll be tossed around by life’s storms.
To be rooted and resilient means developing an inner strength that allows us to bend without breaking.
Ways to Build Resilience
1. Developing a strong root system
Just as trees often grow stronger together, interconnecting their roots for mutual support, we too need a network of relationships to keep us grounded. Surround yourself with positive influences who uplift, support you, and challenge you just the right amount.
2. Practicing the “S” word (Self-Care)
Taking care of our physical, emotional, and mental well-being is crucial for building resilience. Prioritize activities that replenish your energy and strengthen your resolve physically, emotionally, and mentally. This could include exercise, meditation, adequate sleep, and hobbies that bring you joy and stimulation.
3. Drawing inspiration from nature
Nature endures and thrives through cycles of change. We can draw inspiration from the resilience of the natural world by observing how trees bend in the wind without breaking, how flowers bloom after harsh winters, or how ocean swell changes the shape of the shore, reminding us of our own capacity for resilience, adaptation, and renewal.
This powerful Grounding Tree Meditation I recorded was inspired by the resiliency of trees. It uses the imagery of a tree to help us feel more connected to the earth and grounded within ourselves and the environment.
Connecting to the Environment
As I alluded to above, being grounded means being connected to the natural world. We draw energy from the earth and give energy back into it, creating a symbiotic relationship with nature. It’s important to remind ourselves that we are part of the natural world rather than separate from it.
Practices for Environmental Connection
Spending unplugged time outdoors
Engage with your outdoor surroundings using all your senses. Take mindful walks or paddles or bike rides without devices or a destination, allowing yourself to experience nature slowly and fully.
The Benefits of Being Grounded
Being grounded offers numerous benefits that enhance our overall well-being. It creates a foundation for resilience, clarity, meaningful relationships, and inner peace.
Resilience and Stability
Resilience allows us to navigate challenges with grace and maintain our composure, even in turbulent times.
Clarity and Purpose
With clarity, our decisions become more aligned with our values, leading to a more purposeful and easeful life.
Authenticity and Connection
Authenticity and presence foster deeper, more meaningful connections with others, enhancing our relationships.
Inner Peace and Contentment
Ultimately, groundedness brings a profound sense of inner peace and contentment, regardless of external circumstances.
The Ongoing Journey to Being Grounded
In essence, being grounded is about creating a solid foundation within yourself. It’s a journey of self-discovery, authenticity, and mindful living. As we become more grounded, we find that the world around us feels more manageable, meaningful, and beautiful.
Remember, it’s an ongoing practice. Just as with mindfulness, we notice when we’ve become distracted from the present moment and gently bring ourselves back.
The same principle applies to being grounded: we notice when we’ve become ungrounded or are starting to drift, we turn to the practices that help us re-ground. This process is continuous and evolves over time.
The best way to embark on this journey is with intention and an open heart. As you cultivate groundedness within yourself, you’ll experience the inner stability and fulfillment that comes from being truly connected to who you are and the world around you.